aurora
94 posts
Registered:
08 Mar 2018
31 Jul 2021
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I am on the site today to relay some recent examples of smoking and temptation, after 3 and a half years of quitting.
A friend that I don't see often came by for drinks. We were outside and she was smoking. My mind at times would remind me of how good that could be - remember? Drawing in that deep lung full of smoke and feeling the relief. Enjoying it.
I just continued on but really noticed the strong temptation - just one.
Since I quit in March 2018, I adopted the motto - NOPE - Not One Puff Ever.
One puff is how it started for me each and every time, The first time, and every time and quit after that.
I smoked for 35 plus years and I remember the ball and chain of the habit. My motto will always be NOPE.
I was looking out the window today and saw a guy standing outside smoking. Sure, it's a nice day today. But I was thinking - I remember "having" to smoke wherever I went - stop here - smoke - stop there - smoke. and it was a real pain in the ass, I have to say. I then remembered going outside in ANY weather - rain, sleet, snow, and extreme cold. now that I don't smoke, I just watch other people do it. I would never normally do that - go outside and stand there for 10 minutes if the weather was lousy.
For those of you out there struggling with quitting, I want to tell you that you can do it. You can have the freedom, and start to focus on living. Smoking had the worst grip on me, and I thought I would never be able to quit for good. Well, this is the longest I have ever quit, and am ever so thankful. and I have to remember NOPE and the freedom of quitting. That keeps me on track, and it is not always easy, but most days I don't think of smoking at all. .
I love the freedom that quitting smoking has given me, and focusing on living.