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Tomorrow Nov 25th is my quit day

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  1. theavonlady
    theavonlady avatar
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    24 Nov 2019
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    I have been smoking for 34 years...I was in my car this morning going to reservation to get my carton of smokes like I do every two weeks.  I just hate smoking and have tried many times over the years to quit.  Instead of going to get my smokes today I went to the drug store instead and got my first package of the patch.  The patch has worked for me before and at this stage in my life I think about quitting alot. My daughter will be 25 in a few weeks and I want to be around for a lot longer to see her successes with her career and her life.  I love her so much and we are a team that depend on each other alot...I am crying right now........So scared of failing again..but I am prepping my house, cleaning like a mad woman to remove the traces of smoking for my first day tomorrow.  Let's see how it goes!   
  2. justfortoday
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    24 Nov 2019 in reply to theavonlady
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    Hi theavonlady, and welcome!

    My heart goes out to you and I can feel how important your decision to quit is. For both you and your daughter.

    And bravo for you! Going to the drug store instead of the reservation and then cleaning your home to get rid of the evidence of smoking. Your commitment is going to certainly help you through this.

    If you can, try not to focus on the fear of possible failure. It's just that... a possibility. And the possibility of success has an equal chance too! Try to keep your sites there.

    I'm glad you're here, theavonlady, and I'll support you however I can.
  3. theavonlady
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    25 Nov 2019 in reply to justfortoday
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    Thanks for the note.  Feel pretty good actually, at 8 pm it will be a full 24 hours without a smoke. It is nice not to have racing heart for once! I washed my coat last nite too, I kept sniffing it all day long LOL. Smells so nice.Sitting here typing at my home computer is a bit hard.  But I keep telling myself I will be fine, and I can actually type using both hands now.  At 8 am I will put a happy face sticker on the daily chart  I made and taped to my bedroom mirror. 

    theavonlady
  4. theavonlady
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    26 Nov 2019 in reply to theavonlady
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    Day 2  just checking in..want a place to write down my progress each day ...and this seems like a good place to do it..I do not necessarily need a response from anyone.  I just feel good logging in and seeing "you are 2 days smoke free" on my home page.   I also put another happy face on my chart just now as 8 PM will be 2 days!!!.  Wondering if this patch is a placebo?  its the Life Brand..not Nicoderm which I have used in the past and could literally feel the nicotine release each hour and it hurt.  This patch..well...nothing!  I take it off before bed..no bad dreams.  NO racing heart at all today.  Even when the guy driving in front of me was doing 60 in an 80.  Just calm, thats all I can say.  Sniffed my coat again today, it smells good. Being on my computer, I reach over to get a smoke but they are not there.  Hand thing happening...I just laugh to myself and keep typing.  I have not told my daughter, she has been away since friday, due home tonight.  I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop though...major freak out, tell my boss to f off, scream at my daughter when she gets home LOL.  But I feel calm and only slightly worried.  PS the amount of nicotine I washed off the walls in my rec room sunday night was really gross, Nicotine sticks to everything!!!   PPS I was singing in the shower tonight..something I do not normally do.  theavonlady. Hope everyone else is hanging in there!    
  5. atp
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    27 Nov 2019 in reply to theavonlady
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    Congrats on making it through your first two days smoke free!

    Keeping a log is a good thing to do. It helps to be able to look back and see how far we've come, and to get support and ideas when we need it. I did the same with my quit and it helped me. 

    I did the 'great cleaning' too. It seems like a good way of making a statement and committing yourself to the quit. Keep that jacket sniffing routine - it sounds like one of your motivators and is such a good one. I really took to appreciating the fresh clean non-smoking smell as well - my clothes, van, etc. 

    I bought packs of gum and kept those in my jacket pocket where my smokes used to be for when I got a craving - i would pull out that gum pack and chew. 

    Keep up the good work and remember - NOT ONE PUFF EVER!
  6. justfortoday
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    27 Nov 2019 in reply to theavonlady
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    Two days behind you! That is two days closer to being a non-smoker forever!

    I'm glad you are fighting the good fight and respecting your quit.

    I have a journal dedicated to my quit journey and like atp said, it shows me how far I've come, the struggles I've overcome and the successes I've accomplished.

    I'm really glad you're here, and that we get to move through this together!
  7. jenna lee, quit coach
    jenna lee, quit coach avatar
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    27 Nov 2019 in reply to theavonlady
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    Hi theavonlady!

    To answer your question about the patch specifically, no, it is not a placebo. It should still be delivering nicotine to your body through your skin. Nicotine is nicotine, so brand should not affect the dosing.

    Keep up the amazing work! Glad you are finding the site helpful and encouraging.

    Jenna Lee  
  8. theavonlady
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    27 Nov 2019 in reply to jenna lee, quit coach
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    Day 3  - all good :)

    Thanks for the support Jenna.  I still feel good today. DAY #3!!!. Pretty freaking amazing. Nice deep breaths are fun to take.  I have no coughing or cough up stuff....yet?? I never inhaled my cig smoke ever. Just held it in my mouth mostly.  Something my dad did too.   But my "fuzzy" head has abated quite considerably. I always felt like I had a mild headache.   I have clear thoughts and continue to fight that evil inner voice that pops up unexpectedly and says "hey you need a smoke!"  Ah, no I dont, so bugger off!  Quit drinking coffee?  HELL NO!  I like my coffee and quiting one addiction is more than enough right now.  I enjoy my morning coffee, sit here at my computer  and enter a  few contests every morning, I like to win things. And it's a distraction. My daughter is home now, didn't say anything to her. Eventually she will notice how my desk is  not covered in ashes, ash trays, cig packs and, empty beer bottles with cig butts in them. My desk was disgusting.  No not an alcoholic too, just like my mini coronas on the weekend.  I am passing on beer this weekend, as I dont want to push my luck!  Put another sticker on my chart earlier. Cant wait to see the whole sheet filled.  I did it for 6 weeks..Not sure when I will change patch to the lower dose. I started on Step 2 not step 3.... Good night everyone :)  TheAvonLady
  9. theavonlady
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    27 Nov 2019 in reply to atp
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    Hi ATP

    NOT ONE PUFF EVER!!!...good mantra.  Yes, I sniffed my coat for the third day in a row...actually inhaled is a better word.  My fabric softener really smells nice and lasts a long time too LOL  I hated smoking so I always chewed gum with my cig to cover taste and hide my bad breath.  I saw the pack of gum in my drawer just now....hmmmm...must chuck that out!  Well, maybe it will come in handy if I have garlic for dinner...we will push it to the back of the drawer.
    My daugther complains her coats smell like cigs as we have the coats hanging on the wall beside the steps going down into the rec room, where I smoked. So I am going to wash all her coats and sweaters so she can sniff hers too and say" Hey Mom, my coat smells really nice"  
    How long has it been for you since you smoked?  Theavonlady
  10. theavonlady
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    27 Nov 2019 in reply to justfortoday
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    Hello, thank you for your kind words.  I am doing better than I ever expected but....oops, no buts...focus on the all the positives I  have felt or seen and will continue to feel and see...added another sticker to my silly chart for day 3..but it felt good to put the sticker in the open box knowing I made it another day.  Theavonlady. 
  11. atp
    atp avatar
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    28 Nov 2019 in reply to theavonlady
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    Sounds like a lot more laundry and cleaning is in your future....

    I quit almost 11 months ago. Decided on Christmas Day as my younger son, now 20, was smoking and I challenged him to quit. New Years Eve was my last smoke. My son quit too, relapsed and finally quit again by March. So my quit saved 2 lives so to speak. 

    One nice thing when I quit and cleaned all my jackets i was allowed to hang my jackets in the closet with everyone else's for the first time.... 
  12. theavonlady
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    28 Nov 2019 in reply to theavonlady
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    Day 4 - tis the season to be jolly, fallalalalalllalalalla lol    Another sticker on my chart.  Driving home, stop at a red light, look over and there is this withered old lady sucking on a smoke, she looked awful, smokers face. I am truly lucky my face is still unlined at my age and i dont have those pucker wrinkles on my lips from sucking on a smoke. I may have quit just in time. I always smoke ONE cig on the way home from work....and I thought about how the smoke always gets in my eyes when the window is open and practically biinds me, so I turned up the radio and started singing to take my mind of the cig and the lady smoking in the car beside me.....When I get home I am not still not heading the rec room first thing...I help with dinner, do dishez, chat with my daugther, shower and THEN I head downstairs. I pass on lunch as going outside reminds me that I used to have a smoke on my lunch break.  Anyone notice your hair looks cleaner.  I dont need to wash my hair every day.   I have always wanted to whiten my teeth with the crest strips.  My daughter has them, and I was going to do it a while ago until I read the instructions  MUST LEAVE ON FOR ONE HOUR    I couldnt go for an hour without a smoke, so sad. Now I can pick any nite, sit in my recliner (no ashtray on the table beside the recliner) put on the whitening strips and watch netflix for an hour. I will have movie star teeth in no time!!!   Have a good nite  theavonlady
  13. theavonlady
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    28 Nov 2019 in reply to atp
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    I like to "putter", my fav thing to do.... so cleaning is no issue.  I will need to repaint rec room at some point so walls are white again!  11 months is awesome!  Congrats.  My daughter doesnt smoke, thankfully   Nice to hear your jackets have been welcomed back into the family closet. So after 11 months you are still here.....  Are you still struggling?  Did you do cold turkey?  I think the longest I quit for was for 4 months...but my heart wasnt in it.....my BF back then was a non smoker and he hated my habit. This time I am quitting because "I" want to.  Have a nice evening ---Almost Friday.. a weekend w/o smoking coming up....
  14. theavonlady
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    29 Nov 2019 in reply to theavonlady
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    Day 5

    Everything is fine...told my daughter. She said I have been so calm for not smoking for 5 days. And she is very proud of me.  She is having friends over for a gingerbread making party and said she was kinda worried about the smell of cig smoke wafting up into the kitchen.  No worries now lol.  I wanted a sweet, the variety store is right across the street along with the great wall of smokes behind the counter. My daughter said it is "the wall of cancer"   So true!!!.  Didnt go to the store....maybe tomorrow as I need a lottery ticket.  I find I have no appetite. I was hoping to put a few pounds on my skinny frame.  Food tastes really good when I eat it, just not very hungry.  This will be my first weekend without smoking...worried??...not sure...I have a list of things to do. theavonlady
  15. justfortoday
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    29 Nov 2019 in reply to theavonlady
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    Hi theavonlady!

    You are doing so well!! I bet your daughter is so proud!

    I remember I was nervous about weekends and even dreading my vacation! From your posts, I think you're a pretty focused person and no doubt you'll keep yourself distracted. And if it starts to feel scary, remind yourself of how great you're doing!

    Oh, and go get yourself some sweets 😁!
  16. theavonlady
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    01 Dec 2019 in reply to theavonlady
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    Day 6 and Day 7  - spent most of saturday out of the house.  I volunteer at the bakery my daughter works at, so I did a few hours of that.  I did go the variety store and bought lottery tickets and a chocolate bar.  I dont remember if I actually thought about cigarettes while I was there.  I do feel like I lost my best friend. I sat in my recliner last night for the first time since Monday, watched some tv and didnt reach over for my smokes, just my glass of water.  So tired all the time. Sleeping a full 8 hrs most nights which is unheard of for me. Lots of weird dreams last night as I woke up twice....  And the one I do remember......Katherine Hiegel was ripping off the trim on the outside of my house?!?  Enjoying my coffee right now.  I have told myself  I am in control and coffee with a side of smokes is not needed.  I look much prettier and cleaner also. When I look in the mirror my eyes are not bloodshot.  My fingernails are not stained, shiny hair, bright eyes, all good stuff!!!   I think I will starting working out again. I have a small home gym I will start with and them maybe try an outside gym again.  I have always been a runner but smoking has always hindered that a bit.  Hang in there everyone!   Remember who is in control...YOU, not the cigarette!   theavonlady.
  17. theavonlady
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    01 Dec 2019 in reply to justfortoday
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    Hi Justfortoday.   I have 12 days off at Christmas..that will a long time to keep my hands busy.  By that time I will have many smoke free days under my belt. I believe I can  handle it!!   I was in the mall last night, funny how your nose sniffs out every person that is a smoker.  Just not a pleasant smell at all.  Even the guy who was serving me food smelled like a smoke and I smelled him from across the counter. Gross, ew, yuk. How many days for you?  What was your biggest hurdle to overcome to remain smoke free?  Theavonlady
  18. theavonlady
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    04 Dec 2019 in reply to theavonlady
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    9 days Smoke Free :)  I never made it to the store to get the next week of nicotine patches.  Couldnt be bothered to make the trip.  I re-used Sundays patch and stuck it on with masking tape.  I was a bit antsy on Monday/Tues(no used patch put on ) but  Wednesday...I am back to being calm and collected.  The whole "being calm" all the time is new for me.  I have time to think about life. I dont feel an angry or stressed even when stuff happens that is not good.  I am still arguing with myself about "what if I just smoke on weekends"  OMG really?  Its a battle you need to stay on top of and not be dragged back down with lame excuses.  My desk is so neat and clean now, I love looking at it. Am I going to buy more patches...no.....I am going to continue moving forward and fight the hard battle when I am having second thoughts. I benefits of not smoking are so over whelmingly obvious.  I see and feel them every single day.    theavonlady
  19. atp
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    05 Dec 2019 in reply to theavonlady
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    Way to go with processing your feelings and emotions. 
    I started with NRT gum and mist, and stopped using those about 2-3 days into my quit. I decided if I'm doing this then I need to be all in - so cold turkey it was. 
    That first month or so I spent a lot of time arguing with myself. I even spent a lot of time actually talking out loud. It helped to vocalize. Keep up the positive vibes, better to look forward to what you're gaining than grieve what you think you are giving up. 
  20. theavonlady
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    06 Dec 2019 in reply to theavonlady
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    11 days now...smoke free :)  My daughter says the house smells so much better now.  I find I am dreaming alot and remembering my dreams. Never happened before.   When you fight the fight to stay smoke free, its easier when your mind is not drowning in chemicals. Clear, rational thinking appears to have reared its head in my head!!!   I argue with myself and talk aloud in my car  but  I do not have any overwhelming urges to smoke.  Just gentle, subtle nudges that are there several times a day but they wither away just a fast as they come.   I dont miss how my throat burned when I took a puff of cig...my fingers smell good....i have graduated from smelling my coat to smelling my hands...I put on my fav hand creme and it smells really nice.  I smell things better now.  Just going doing cold turkey quit this week, as I mentioned previously, I didnt buy a 2nd week of patches.  My chart on my mirror looks so fantastic with almost 2 weeks of stickers to remind me how strong I am.  I am pondering buying my weekend supply of 6 mini Corunnas but that is it, just pondering....I didnt give up my coffee in the am and that has not been an issue..but beer could be a bit harder to drink w/o a cig but maybe not..who knows.  TGIF!  Hope everyone is still fighting the good fight to become a NONSMOKER!!!   theavonlady 
  21. justfortoday
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    06 Dec 2019 in reply to theavonlady
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    You are doing amazing!

    From what I'm reading in your posts you are really processing the journey you're on, and it is a wonderful success story! I think the chart on your mirror is a good indicator of that!

    As well, the fact that your are going cold turkey this week says a lot about your commitment. But, if the cravings threaten your quit, don't hesitate to go back on them. It's not a failure to receive the support that is out there :).

    11 days is certainly something to celebrate! I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
  22. theavonlady
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    08 Dec 2019 in reply to theavonlady
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    Today at 8 PM will be day 14 :).   2nd weekend where I am home a full two days and doing things I would not have done before, as taking a cig break every 1/2 hr interferes with daily life.  I feel like I have been released from a prison and I am on parole. I have two options----break my parole, smoke and go back to prison...or live a clean life without smokes, and live a much LONGER life.  It's weird how I see things now and process what I see. What was once just a passing glance, is now something to look at longer because I never noticed it before.  Like driving in my car, I glance around and see all these side streets I never notice before as I am not rushing to get home to smoke(I only smoked I cig in my car a day on weekdays going home from work)  I notice the sky now, how beautiful it is.  I notice the smells, good and bad..too many smokers at the grocery store yesterday.  But at least I smelled nice!  I went to LCBO and got a fruity booozy drink. NO Beer store. I bought a little 4 pack and I made up my mind before buying it, that I would only drink it in the kitchen, while I was cooking.  Tasted so good!  When I set the drink down, my hands were immediately busy with cooking.  I thought it was going to be hard to drink booze, but I didnt have any major urge to smoke, just that subtle reminder way back in darkness of my mind, that I might need a smoke.  It goes away really fast.  I am having a 2 drink today, it is up on the counter.  Just waiting for my cookies to bake!   Both hands on the keyboard right now, but I see my third phantom hand out of the corner of my vision reaching for a smoke. But there are no cigs to reach for.  btw...I was sitting in my recliner Fri nite and leaned over to grab the remote off the floor. On the bottom of the book shelf back in the corner was a drinking glass stuffed full of  cig butts.  I sat back up really quickly. Forgot that was there!  I could see in my mind several butts were quite long and could still be smoked. I waited a few min for the feeling to pass, grabbed a bag and threw the glass in it and threw the bag out.  It is really disgusting putting your cig butts in your drinking glasses, but I usually threw the glass out.  I notice more money in my bank acct as there are no trips to the res or to the variety store for junk food.  Not sure why I ate so much sugar when I smoked?  My poop schedule is awful and not fun when you cannot poop!  Not too impressed with that.  I have a better appetite this week, but I am not stuffing my face constantly.  Drinking lots of water.  Sorry, long post today....   I am going to do my crest white strip one nite this week, as I can sit in a chair for an hour without a smoke now....amazing!  Merry Christmas  theavonlady
  23. justfortoday
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    08 Dec 2019 in reply to theavonlady
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    You are amazing!

    Congratulations on working your quit!

    I think you're really turning that corner and seeing yourself as a nonsmoker. Noticing things you didn't see before, appreciating the colour of the sky ... feels amazing, right?

    THAT'S what it feels like to be a nonsmoker!

    Keep going in the direction you're going in because it's working!

    Oh, and how were the cookies:)?

  24. theavonlady
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    09 Dec 2019 in reply to justfortoday
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    Good Morning--yes, everything is amazing including me, LOL  I am not sure why it was so hard in the past to quit  but I am thinking I was never really ready and just didnt want to as I liked smoking.  I made snickerdoodle cookies to take into work today...I ate 2 and they tasted so good!  Have a great day!  theavonlady....ps I am assuming you are a smoker trying to quit too?
  25. justfortoday
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    09 Dec 2019 in reply to theavonlady
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    Hi theavonlady!

    I actually just celebrated three months smoke free last week!

    Feels amazing :)
  26. theavonlady
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    09 Dec 2019 in reply to justfortoday
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    Hi justfortoday....3 months is a huge milestone!  Whatcha gonna do with all that money you saved?
  27. theavonlady
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    11 Dec 2019 in reply to theavonlady
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    16 Days Smoke Free  --  all good here.  Just need to remember when arguing with myself, I will always win as I am in control not the cigarette.  Was quite irritated the other night with my daughter, but I told myself smoking will not fix my anger or the situation.  So, I just let it go...it was really not that big of a deal.   Still very tired by 8 pm.  Conked out tired in my recliner.   I find what I was once interested in, is not that interesting anymore. Cooking dinner and doing dishes is not so much a chore but something positive.  I feel very optimistic about 2020.  I will look for a new job as the one I currently have is just not working out for me.  An old friend has reached out to me and I have been putting off getting together with her, as smoking in the basement was my lifestyle.  And, I was always embarrassed by my smoking.  I am  a homebody 100% normally, but I need to get outside of my comfort zone and make some friends!!   theavonlady    
  28. jenna lee, quit coach
    jenna lee, quit coach avatar
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    12 Dec 2019 in reply to theavonlady
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    theavonlady,

    I can pull out so many positive things about your post: your outlook on next year, making resolutions to get yourself out more, your willingness to ignore the voice in your head telling you to smoke and your positive self-talk about knowing smoking won't fix a situation.

    Irritability, fatigue/low motivation are very normal withdrawal symptoms as your body is healing so if you need to take it easy or konk out early, that is okay.

    Looking forward to hearing more from you about your progress,

    Happy holidays,
28 posts, 0 answered