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I will not smoke today because... Cancel The title field is required!

1. rowan

   

   19 posts
   Registered:
   14 May 2023
   18 May 2023

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   This is a tool that was used daily on my sobriety journey on the SMART Recovery forum. Basically everyone popped in each day and gave their reason for not drinking that day. I found that posting it online made me feel obligated to keep my word, even to total strangers. I'm hoping this will help me stay on track with not smoking too. Maybe this will help others (even if you just say it to yourself).Everyone's reasons are different and it is truly inspiring to read them. They can be as simple or complex as you like. So here's mine for today:
   
   I will not smoke today because I detest always starting back at day one and if I don't smoke today then tomorrow will be day two.
   
2. dogmother

   

   35 posts
   Registered:
   08 Sep 2022
   18 May 2023 in reply to rowan

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   I will not smoke today because I don't want to feel tired all day with no energy to do things. Ticks me off I wasted so much time smoking instead of living.
3. rowan

   

   19 posts
   Registered:
   14 May 2023
   19 May 2023

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   I will not smoke today because I'm tired of coughing and would like to breathe better.
4. dogmother

   

   35 posts
   Registered:
   08 Sep 2022
   19 May 2023

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   I will not smoke today, because I want to save money, and treat myself to something every week I manage to stay smoke free. 
5. rowan

   

   19 posts
   Registered:
   14 May 2023
   20 May 2023

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   I will not smoke today because I need to keep breaking the cycle. “One is too many and a thousand is never enough.”
6. dogmother

   

   35 posts
   Registered:
   08 Sep 2022
   20 May 2023

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   I will not smoke today because I feel like I'm making some progress moving one step forward, and I don't want to go two steps back 
7. rowan

   

   19 posts
   Registered:
   14 May 2023
   21 May 2023

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   I will not smoke today because I caved yesterday and I’m back to square one. “Your bottom is when you stop digging” 
8. dogmother

   

   35 posts
   Registered:
   08 Sep 2022
   21 May 2023

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   I will not smoke today because I am starting to breathe a bit better, and smell things again......which isn't always a good thing! Rowan, don't worry about caving, and dust yourself off, and try again. I caved so many times, that I've lost count. You can do it!!
9. jb63

   

   118 posts
   Registered:
   28 Feb 2022
   23 May 2023

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   This is a great idea 
   I will not smoke today because I feel so much better not smoking !
10. dogmother

    

    35 posts
    Registered:
    08 Sep 2022
    23 May 2023

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    I will not smoke today because I've made it 1 week smoke free, and aiming for Week 2.
11. rowan

    

    19 posts
    Registered:
    14 May 2023
    01 Dec 2023

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    I'm back! (day one again) I will not smoke today because the only way to quit is to stop putting cigarettes in my mouth.
12. rowan

    

    19 posts
    Registered:
    14 May 2023
    02 Dec 2023

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    I will not smoke today because I have a terrible cough and I know it will make it worse.
13. rowan

    

    19 posts
    Registered:
    14 May 2023
    03 Dec 2023

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    I will not smoke today because I don't want to start back at 0
14. andee

    

    3 posts
    Registered:
    01 Dec 2023
    04 Dec 2023

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    I will not smoke today because I made it this far, why ruin a good thing.?
15. rowan

    

    19 posts
    Registered:
    14 May 2023
    05 Dec 2023

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    I will not smoke today because I have used up all my "day 1's"
16. andee

    

    3 posts
    Registered:
    01 Dec 2023
    13 Dec 2023

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    I will not smoke today because for 9 out of 10 people just 1 is more then 1
17. rowan

    

    19 posts
    Registered:
    14 May 2023
    16 Dec 2023

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    I will not smoke today because I have Covid and I don't want to make it worse
18. andee

    

    3 posts
    Registered:
    01 Dec 2023
    02 Jan

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    I will not smoke today because I stopped smoking in 2023
19. mcdanerdsoriginal

    

    2 posts
    Registered:
    20 Sep 2023
    15 Sep

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    I will not smoke today because im feel really damn good without cigarettes!!
20. rowan

    

    19 posts
    Registered:
    14 May 2023
    15 Oct

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    I will not smoke today because every time I’ve given in before, I am so disappointed in myself. I said “I could have gotten through that one”. I know I can do this. 
21. Val H

    

    167 posts
    Registered:
    29 Nov 2017
    29 Oct in reply to rowan

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    This is a good idea. Tomorrow I quit and I will start each day with a statement on why or how I won’t smoke that day. I am tired of all my day ones that didn’t make it to day 2. I’m going to start my day with a statement like this. 
22. karen, quit coach

    

    64 posts
    Registered:
    09 Nov 2022
    30 Oct in reply to Val H

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    Hi Val H,
    
    Congratulations on taking the next step towards living your life smokefree! Sounds like you are determined!
    
    I am glad that you find this forum and the information shared here useful. Using positive self-talk and affirmations is a great way to stay positive and confident as you move through your quit journey. 
    
    Best of luck on your next day one turning into a day two and so on....
    
    You've got this!
    
    Warm regards,
    Karen, Quit Coach
23. Val H

    

    167 posts
    Registered:
    29 Nov 2017
    31 Oct in reply to karen, quit coach

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    Thank you Karen. I’m still trying to get a 100% smoke free day. I have a really hard time avoiding the morning cigarettes. My husband smokes and so they are always here. I had some NRT help yesterday and managed to make it the rest of the day, overcoming several cravings. First thing this morning though I couldn’t do it. It’s more the pattern and some withdrawal that I’m dealing with. I even had the patch on all night. I need some help with not going into full on relapse and with avoiding the morning cigarettes. I want tomorrow to be a whole new story and continue my efforts today. It starts with a decision but I’m finding myself on the fence again after my slip. 
24. sheza, quit coach

    

    15 posts
    Registered:
    16 Oct 2023
    31 Oct in reply to Val H

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    Hi Val H, 
    
    It’s great to hear that you managed to overcome several cravings yesterday, that’s a huge accomplishment. I totally understand how tough those morning cigarettes can be, especially when they’re part of your routine and if your husband smokes too. 
    
    It sounds like you’re doing great with the NRT, but those patterns can be tricky. Maybe try switching up your morning routine a bit. You can try to go for a walk, have a healthy breakfast, have a shower, or do some stretches to help break that cycle. Also, keeping some gum or snacks handy can really help when cravings hit. If you can, chat with your husband about your goals, his support could really make a difference.
    
    Remember, it’s okay to have ups and downs. You’ve got the determination to make tomorrow a new story and we're all cheering you on! 
25. mrcookiedough

    

    8 posts
    Registered:
    26 Mar 2024
    13 Nov

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    I will not smoke today, because I am over 4 months free of my third cigarette relapse since 2012. I am old enough now, that my breathing is sometimes tight, and cigs just made it worse.
    
    I am taking about 1/3 of a 2mg nicotine chicolet and 2/3 of an ordinary chicolet. I am slowly getting to the point when it will be just the ordinary gum, and later, none. And I'll be through with nicotine altogether.
    
    As I see it, and as my body suggests to me, I can't afford to relapse for a fourth time.
    
    I am grateful to the Quit Coaches for guiding me through this, with compassion and encouragement, and for never judging me at those times when I fell.
    
    I am also grateful to two friends who stood with me, no matter if I was smoking or not. They had my back, always.
    
    I will not have to endure the embarrassment of being seen smoking outdoors. We have a no-smoking rule where I live. And I won't have to put on my winter coat and shiver in those months when the whether is very cold.
    
    I will not have to feel the self reproach after having had a cig. Nor will I have to hurry and wash my face and brush my teeth and pretend that the cig never happened.
    
    I will not have to sneak off in a cab to a store to buy smokes, feeling like a heal for lying and trying to hide my habit, yet feeling needy anyway.
    
    I will not have to feel like I'm sticking it to polite society by smoking, only to learn (over and over again) that I was only sticking it to my poor lungs.
    
    I wish for myself and for all of you, the release that goes with being nicotine-free. I know it's hard smoking, and hard to quit, and I understand what you guys are going through.
    
    I really believe that it comes down to taking life in day-sized chunks. Twenty-four hours is all we have, all we can commit to, because there is no other day, but today.
    
    Keep at it. And if you fall, don't--DON'T beat up on yourself. That one has a way of making the problem worse.
    
    I wrote this one thing originally for me, because I needed reminding, but it's really for everyone.
    
    "You are NOT nothing.
    You can spot beauty.
    You can give and receive kindness,
    here in the living now"