Sometimes all you need is support from strangers - it's odd but also what is needed sometimes. Hope your journey is going good and thanks for sharing your story.
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$5,889.90
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Days: 131 Hours: 22
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Hi Thorp keep going with your quit journey its worth it mate, all the best to you.
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Welcome Throp!
Congratulations for getting started. I am sorry to read about you slip, but I am very happy to hear you did not beat yourself up over it and you got right back to it. The slip did not defeat you. Nice work!
It is great that you determined hanging out with the lads may be a trigger for you. If you find avoiding your smoking friends difficult right now, just remember to be on guard when you are around them. Know that you will likely have an increase in cravings and it is a risk. Also, get to know the Emergency Coping Plan. Have a plan in place in case you have a lot of difficulty managing the cravings. The Emergency Coping Plan can be found in the last Session of the Quit Smoking program. Or here is a link https://evolutionhealth.care/quit-smoking?pageId=37&sessionId=31
Keep us updated.
Take care,
Ashley
Hi Thorp,
Don't beat yourself up over the slip. It happens sometimes. It's all a part of the learning experience. Most people do slip a number of times before they are able to take back control of their lives from this nasty addiction. It sounds like you discovered one of your triggers, and you can fight that urge better. Now you can continue on your quit journey a little smarter and a little wiser. ? Be sure and keep your guard up at all times. That Nico-Demon will try his best to make you cave in.
Stay strong.
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$24,617.45
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Days: 792 Hours: 17
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Thanks Perth......
I did fail on Friday - i do an annual car rally to raise funds for cancer research and had a get together with the lads.... before i knew it i had had a few ciggies.. i have not let that deter me and woke up Saturday feeling angry at myself... which i quickly stopped as i refuse to beat myself up for having made a mistake.. i found some fascinating video material online that attributes the side effects and cravings as mis-identified physical needs which has made the quitting process a lot easier...
Day 5 and feeling good... the idea of being able to now do all the things i used to do (as soon as my body is up to it) is inspiring me and keeping me motivated.... as is avoiding my smoking friends as difficult as that part is for me right now
Thank you for your words of encouragement !!
Thor
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$5,361.00
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Hi Thorp,
wow your are so bravehearted to write so openly about all what happened to you, and that your seek for mental and psychological support in your efforts.. you are so bravehearted and strong.. much stronger than any cigarettes you ever left into your life... God bless you.
i am sure you will win the bottle, you deserve to get back your life and you will..
your mother would have never blamed you for smoking, but understand that you wanted to honor her by quitting cigarettes, and you will. Surely.
I will think of you and cross fingers for you
*let* into your life
Thank you Tim... i think the single biggest thing we all lack is encouragement and support . Much appreciated !!
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$5,361.00
Amount Saved
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Days: 325 Hours: 20
Minutes: 30 Seconds: 21
Life Gained
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1787
Smoke Free Days
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53,610
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Hi Thorp,
Congratulations on "taking the Plunge" and trying to quit smoking. With the right mind set you can do this. I smoked for over 37 years so I know that you can quit, if you have the motivation to do so. The first few days are going to be rough. I hope you have a plan in place so you don't have to think about things too much. Did your mother pass from cancer?
As a smoker we always had an excuse to put off quitting. The wrong time, too much stress, the moon in is in the wrong phase. ? Always something. Finally picking a day and actually sticking to is, at least for me, was kind of scary. Not knowing if I could do it or not.
It sounds like you are motivated, and that is going to help you a lot. Read through these forums here, there is a ton of great tips, hints, and failures from past attempts from users that you can learn from.
Keep us updated with your progress okay?
Stay strong.
Quit Meter
$24,617.45
Amount Saved
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Days: 792 Hours: 17
Minutes: 44 Seconds: 14
Life Gained
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4069
Smoke Free Days
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89,518
Cigarettes Not Smoked
Hi guys and girls... busy writing this from Cape Town, South Africa... 52 this year (allegedly) and on January the 25 was the anniversary of my mothers passing - 14 years already.... 14 years i have been promising myself for a host of reasons that i too must stop this ridiculous habit of smoking for good.
So today is going to be the day i stop... when i leave the office this afternoon the box goes in the bin and i am done. I started smoking in the military at the age of 18 years old... mainly to escape being singled out for objecting to conscription under the old Apartheid government here.. so that led to a few beatings and taking a smoke break with the rest of them enabled me to escape the abuse.....well partly, i was quite badly beaten and subjected to all sorts of stuff i do now want to write about... needless to say i ended up in hospital for 3 months not knowing who i was or where i was... i was discharged onto the side of the road at night to find my own way back home to my city... it was far from a pleasant experience. Further drama followed on that which again i wont write about here as its personal. I went back to the military a year later and completed my service to my country in Artillery school and later counter intelligence..... but...... smoking became the crutch that got me through that ordeal and i have smoked ever since....I suffer with PTSD and anxiety ... some fool psychologist told me to continue smoking as an escape from that. clearly it did not work :)
Anyhow... long story i guess as to why i smoke. But it is time to stop and i am going to take the leap today....and i at the same time i am going to stop letting my mind control my life with those old PTSD symptoms.... yep i know its not something most can escape from but i am mentally prepared for that.. .my single biggest fear is i am doing this without any support of friends or family...... i have not told anyone, i want to do this alone but need and am willing to accept support from total strangers who have been through the stopping process, so here i am reaching out to anyone who can spare a few words of encouragement and support.
Quit Meter
$5,361.00
Amount Saved
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Days: 325 Hours: 20
Minutes: 30 Seconds: 21
Life Gained
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1787
Smoke Free Days
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53,610
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