Love the post Rob. maybe because I am an aging hippie too?
I quit once before - can't remember how long for but over 10 months anyway. I was really, really proud of myself and did the whole "self-talk pat on the back" stuff all the way through. Though I was home free - and then came the down time when life just felt like crap and I wanted my "friend" back. The crave to have that solace was so overwhelming I gave in. That still scares me witless.
This time - I am not so happy; not so free-flying and I don't really do the self-talk thing. I have been using the choice emchanism. If/when it's bad, it seems to be the only way I can face it. by thinking "OK, you want one. lets just see how this goes and if it's still dreadful later on, damn well go out and buy some" And so far, I haven't. Sometimes too, it isn't a "crave", just an overwhelming sadness of having given something and someBODY (the smoking me) up. And that's been more than enough for me too. I haven't given up one other thing. The drink still flows!
I think in another week or two, I will add in the negotiation and extend my time frame for that choice by a bit so that it goes beyond the current crave. It's an alternative viewpoint, an alternative mechanism and that's very, very valid. Whether it matches up with anybody/everybody else or not.
Thank you.
S
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B] 8/20/2006
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 19
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 681
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] �114
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 1 [B]Hrs:[/B] 22 [B]Mins:[/B] 44 [B]Seconds:[/B] 49