My 1 Year Celebration Cancel The title field is required!

1. efreeman75

   

   296 posts
   Registered:
   02 Apr 2018
   20 Feb 2019

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   I just received an e-mail from SHO congratulating me for being smoke-free for 1 year.  They said I can celebrate by shouting from the rooftops or quietly patting myself on the back.  Think I'll shout it from the rooftop - ONE WHOLE FREAKIN' YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!
   
   It's been a long and difficult journey.  But every low had an even higher high.  First month went by better than expected.  Months 2-4 proved to be quite difficult, but with unwavering persistence and the support offered here, the sun began to shine a little brighter every day.  I don't know if I could call the last 6 months easy, but they were very manageable as I have now fully developed the mentality of a non-smoker.  I was on business last week on an island off the Florida coast (tough job, I know), and went up to the rooftop patio with a group one night.  A few guys broke out the cigarettes and lit up.  In the past, this would have bothered me, and I would have moved in to get a whiff, especially considering that Marlboro Reds were always my special treat in the US.  This time I was honestly disgusted by the foul odour, and I moved my seat to the end of the table.  Not even tempted to jeopardize my quit, that is how valuable it is and how far I've come.
   
   Quitting smoking is a challenge, but it is not impossible.  It does get easier and the rewards are incredible.  When I quit, my wife promised me a new watch I had been looking at if I made it to 1 year.  Last night she was joking about going shopping today, when I told her I had changed my mind for my gift.  I now want new cross-country skis for the whole family.  Since quitting smoking, my energy and endurance have increased exponentially, and being physically active is again very important to me.  I guess my cracked FitBit is going to have to last a little while longer.
   
   Perhaps the best advice I can offer to those early in their quits is to remember to laugh.  There will be difficult times, but if you can laugh, you will get through it.  Laughter replaces some of that dopamine that nicotine used to give us. 
   
   Thank you to everyone that has helped me achieve this freedom.  I owe you so much.
   
   Eric
   
2. treepeo

   

   832 posts
   Registered:
   29 Nov 2017
   20 Feb 2019

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   Hi efreeman75,
   
   WooHoo, congrats on your first whole year as a non-smoker!  So glad you decided to shout from the rooftop, because what you have achieved is nothing short of amazing!  I am truly happy for you.
   
   You must be feeling energized if you want cross-country skis.  Happy shopping!
3. atp

   

   501 posts
   Registered:
   31 Dec 2018
   20 Feb 2019 in reply to efreeman75

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   Eric,
   
   A big congratulations on one whole year as a non-smoker!!!
   
   I'm coming up on 2 months and getting excited about that, but one year....you must be really thrilled.
   
   Interesting how you say your quit is too valuable to throw away on a single smoke (which always leads to another, etc). I am starting to feel that way too, just didn't quite realize it in those terms until I saw your words. Our quits are really valuable. How do you put a price on a better life?
   
   BTW - thank you for all your supportive reply's to my posts and all the other posts of yours I've read on this site. You, and a few other here, helped me keep my quit a few times. That means something.
   
   Enjoy your celebration.   I bet you can find some great deals on skis right about now.
   
   
   
4. brieffree

   

   1478 posts
   Registered:
   28 Nov 2017
   20 Feb 2019

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   Hi Eefreman75
   
   Big hug, one year smoke free!
   
   You deserve it! so much work, pay off!

   Congratulations!

5. chesk

   

   23 posts
   Registered:
   28 Jan 2019
   20 Feb 2019

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   Congrats! Truly Inspiring!
6. jenna c, quit coach

   

   58 posts
   Registered:
   29 Nov 2018
   21 Feb 2019

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   Good morning everyone!
   
   A big congrats again for making it 1year efreeman and yes you do deserve to celebrate!
   Congrats for making two months atp and am glad to hear that you are thinking in terms of having one cigarette would not be worth the risk.
   
   It does take time as efreeman said to be able to handle being in a room of smokers (triggering), but realizing you passed the test gives you even more confidence to stay quit!
   
   If it is early in your quitting phase, consider how you may prepare yourself for those triggering situations. Last advise, remember that using "positive self-talk" can go a long way.
   Example, "I've come this far and don't want to have to start all over again."
   
   Take care keep it up!
   
   Jenna C, quit coach
   
7. efreeman75

   

   296 posts
   Registered:
   02 Apr 2018
   22 Feb 2019

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   Thank you everyone for the best wishes.  The support and advice offered here continue to be a major contributing factor in the success of my quit.
   
   We all have triggers that we use an excuse to relapse.  An excuse to again succumb to the addiction.  It is wise to plan for those triggers, but it is impossible to accurately predict when and to what degree they will occur.  The 3-A's - Avoid, Alter, Accept - can be a great strategy.  However, I think the Avoid and Alter are merely temporary solutions.  We can not avoid or entirely change what life throws at us.  And one phone call, or one person lighting up on a rooftop patio cannot be enough persuasion to allow us to relapse.  I believe only when you accept things that come your way are you able to battle them head on.  Accept that you cannot completely avoid it.  Accept that you cannot completely alter it.  Accept it for what it is, and accept yourself for being a non-smoker that does not need a chemical fix to deal with life.   Quitting and staying quit are difficult.  I haven't read of anyone having an easy time quitting.  Accept that it is difficult.  Accept and embrace the challenge.  It is within all of us, and only within, to succeed.
   

   Last modified on 22 Feb 2019 10:30 by efreeman75
8. mari_m

   

   92 posts
   Registered:
   03 Jan 2019
   22 Feb 2019 in reply to efreeman75

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   Way to go, efreeman75, that is an awesome achievement! And reading these posts sure helps others to realize that quitting smoking is very possible. Thanks for all your support and sharing your journey. there have been many, many times when it would have been so easy to give in and have a smoke, but checking in with the helpline has given me the strength to keep on going forward one day at a time. -m
9. jeyan

   

   180 posts
   Registered:
   28 Nov 2017
   05 Mar 2019 in reply to mari_m

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   way to go efreeman.  you still have a long way to go.  Key  is never a puff ever again! we can do this.

   Last modified on 05 Mar 2019 10:57 by jeyan
10. wandam

    

    241 posts
    Registered:
    05 Feb 2019
    05 Mar 2019

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    efreeman75,
    
    A super big congrats on celebrating your 1 year of being smoke free! Way to go! So happy 😀 for you!
11. butterflyna

    

    135 posts
    Registered:
    15 Feb 2018
    05 Mar 2019

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    Hey efreeman,
    
    Yup, I'm still here lol. So very very happy for you ... CONGRATULATIONS!!!! That is honestly an amazing feat. I am on my 4th day smoke free. When you were here did you think you would make it to 1 year??
    I realize now how helping others can also be so much of a benefit to ourselves. You have commented on some of my posts and know that you gave good honest advice. For this I am very grateful. I pledge to be there for others as well. You should yell from the rooftops. You've earned it!
    My motto ... NOPE:  Not One Puff Ever!! I love it! <3
    
    butterflyna
12. efreeman75

    

    296 posts
    Registered:
    02 Apr 2018
    06 Mar 2019

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    Thanks again mari_m and wandam.  It's great that you are part of the community.  And butterfly, I'm glad that you're still with us and going strong.
    
    Jeyan, I'm trying to catch you, but I hope I never do.
    
    E