|
|
 |
|
 |
|
| 1 |
|
|
|
|
sparky2
|
Oct 02, 2012 (03:39 PM)
|
|
|
Joined:
Aug 15, 2011
Age: 55
Gender: Male
Country: Canada
Occupation: Being a child of the universe and exploring what it has to offer
Hobbies: Travelling, music, writing, being outdoors and giving a hand up to someone who is down
748082
|
I would just like to add that everything cartoonist said is true as I remember at first having to pull away from a lot of things I enjoyed at first. The gang at work where we all met outside on over a smoke solve all the worlds problems or not being able to attend some of the Xmas get togethers at the local pub the first year as I quit in Nov, etc. Lifestyle change is all part of quitting and yeah it is not fun to walk away from people or avoid the pub for a bit but in time you can slowly start to come back. I started slowly to test the waters as you don't want to just jump in with both feet right away. Little by little I found I could tolerate a little more. And each time no matter how small an accomplishment it made me a little stronger and determined. If I did find myself though starting to sink I thought nothing of walking away as you don't want to tempt fate. Now I will not say that it is not all permanent as it depends on the individual. Most should come back but there may be some activities you associate with smoking that you can't do them again. I have a friend who can no longer have brandy as he associated it to much with cigars for example.
Yay me it is tough now being on the outside looking in but as time passes so will this but chin up as you are not an outcast forever. I can vouch being there that life will return to normal again. You still have to be on guard because even where I am I can't push it to the limit as we are not beyond temptation at any stage of a quit. Some day you will be able to stand with the bunch smoking and not feel panicked even though to tell the truth standing with a group of smokers it is not so much the smoke that gets me but a group of smokers really do smell bad.
My Milage:
My Quit Date: 11/19/2010
Smoke-Free Days: 683
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 17,075
Amount Saved: $6,830.00
Life Gained:
Days: 122 Hrs: 16 Mins: 57 Seconds: 48
It's hard to fail, but it's worse to not even try
|
|
|
|
yay me
|
Oct 02, 2012 (02:54 PM)
|
|
|
Joined:
Aug 26, 2012
Gender: Female
Country: Canada
Hobbies: living smoke freeeeeee
748077
|
I love that cartoonist! "A temporary inconvenience to the permanent solution" :) well said & very true!
My Milage:
My Quit Date: 9/24/2012
Smoke-Free Days: 8
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 200
Amount Saved: $80.00
Life Gained:
Days: 0 Hrs: 14 Mins: 57 Seconds: 28
if youre going thru hell, keep going 
|
|
|
|
cartoonist
|
Oct 02, 2012 (06:10 AM)
|
|
|
Joined:
Jul 07, 2012
Age: 57
Gender: Female
Country: Canada
Occupation: Children's Book Illustrator
Hobbies: Vegetable Gardening, Koi Pond, Reading, Fishing
748054
|
BUT, only for a little while will you be that "outcast" yay me:) They would (or SHOULD) totally understand if you need to walk away, for now. Someday though, you will be able to be around smokers, it's not like we have to ban every smoker from our lives forever (and hopefully your BF has quit by then:) A lot of folks have to avoid drinking too, during their early stages of quitting but I am certain, as more time has gone by, they can resume having social drinks and attend parties where others are smoking. It's just a temporary inconvenience to the permanent solution and well worth it for sure:) I bet they ALL would have understood if you had gone for a short walk while they had their smoke, try it next time. Right now this is all about you:)
My Milage:
My Quit Date: 7/16/2012
Smoke-Free Days: 78
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 2,184
Amount Saved: $873.60
Life Gained:
Days: 10 Hrs: 21 Mins: 37 Seconds: 29
|
|
|
|
yay me
|
Oct 01, 2012 (09:15 PM)
|
|
|
Joined:
Aug 26, 2012
Gender: Female
Country: Canada
Hobbies: living smoke freeeeeee
748041
|
I just feel so rude walking away from a conversationa( especially because it was the boyfriends dad :s) and if I were smoking I absolutely would be dying for that first smoke after a big meal...was one of my favs. Then if just hanging around chit chatting, I wouldve been chain smoking, probably more than they did LOL. I so felt like an outcast. Like a 3rd wheel being the only non smoker...I wasn't mad at them or do I hold it against them I just felt so bummed and left out. Like starting any new journey in life-sad I no longer fit in the old way of things but in the middle before I find my new niche...
Thank you so much for listenin and for the feedback guys, keeps me goin :)
My Milage:
My Quit Date: 9/24/2012
Smoke-Free Days: 7
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 175
Amount Saved: $70.00
Life Gained:
Days: 0 Hrs: 13 Mins: 40 Seconds: 53
if youre going thru hell, keep going
|
|
|
|
Jennifer, Moderator
|
Oct 01, 2012 (10:52 AM)
|
|
|
Joined:
Dec 29, 2010
748007
|
Good Morning yay me,
Thanks for posting your experience - you made it through and show us all that although it wasn't easy - it's possible!
These kind of milestones are so worth celebrating - getting comfortable with situations where you would have normally smoked is such an important part of a successful quit - great job!
Jennifer, Moderator
Smokers' Helpline Online Support Team
|
|
|
|
cartoonist
|
Oct 01, 2012 (08:02 AM)
|
|
|
Joined:
Jul 07, 2012
Age: 57
Gender: Female
Country: Canada
Occupation: Children's Book Illustrator
Hobbies: Vegetable Gardening, Koi Pond, Reading, Fishing
747997
|
That WAS rough. It would have been more thoughtful if the smokers had left one at a time for a quick smoke while you and someone else was still at the table after the meal but likely, by the time all left the restaurant, they were not thinking of the non-smoker in the group, just thinking of the cig:(
Since we are the ones quitting, it's sometimes up to us to remove ourselves, especially so early on in a quit. Perhaps next time walk away and look in shop windows or something, till the smoke is done. It won't be forever, you will likely be able to handle it at some point but it obviously isn't the time yet. I don't mind being near smoking for a little while but I wouldn't want to do so on a regular basis, or at a get together where there is drinking... too much like tempting fate (and my waffly will power:)
My Milage:
My Quit Date: 7/16/2012
Smoke-Free Days: 77
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 2,156
Amount Saved: $862.40
Life Gained:
Days: 10 Hrs: 18 Mins: 32 Seconds: 36
|
|
|
|
starlyn
|
Oct 01, 2012 (06:17 AM)
|
|
|
Joined:
Aug 16, 2012
Gender: Female
Country: Canada
747987
|
Hi Yay me
There are times where i am around smokers and i am fine( like at work during smoke breaks) i choose to go out so not to miss out on the chatting and fun. And then there are other times where i have a hard time being around them and sort of feel like they don't get it, and i resent them for smoking. I try and learn from this and realize the addiction is taking over my thoughts and perhaps i am not quite hundred percent ready or strong enough yet to be around smokers. There are days where it's ok and then there are days when i am weak.
When i am faced with the weak moments, i try and look at the person/people and say to myself....ok you are doing good, it's been so long now, remind myself how i can breath so well now, and take a deep breath and then sort of feel sorry for those still smoking because perhaps they wish they could be where i am now and that is a non smoker.
My Milage:
My Quit Date: 8/7/2012
Smoke-Free Days: 55
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 1,100
Amount Saved: $506.00
Life Gained:
Days: 6 Hrs: 0 Mins: 41 Seconds: 9
|
|
|
|
yay me
|
Sep 30, 2012 (05:48 PM)
|
|
|
Joined:
Aug 26, 2012
Gender: Female
Country: Canada
Hobbies: living smoke freeeeeee
747969
|
Oh violet what a perfect world it would be if everyone did at once decide to quit forever. Right now its enough just to hear the boyfriend toss around the possibility of quitting-he's never mentioned his desire to until I quit. It makesmy heart so happy :) and Sparky2 you are absolutely right, this is my choice and that means rearranging and refitting myself into the world as a non smoker. Turning it around seems so simple also but I never thought of it that way-if the situation were reversed. So far I'm doing well with coming across a smoker or with the boyfriend smoking. This was the first time I encountered 3 at once that I was spending time with. Gratefully, like violet, there are very few smokers in my life, so this caught me offguard...I am celebrating keeping composure, excusing myself and reminding them why so I don't hurt anyones feelings or tempt myself, and opening up bout how I felt instead of getting angry or irrational when no one would have deserved that and it wouldnt have solved anything....very successful craving crusher :)
My Milage:
My Quit Date: 9/24/2012
Smoke-Free Days: 6
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 150
Amount Saved: $60.00
Life Gained:
Days: 0 Hrs: 11 Mins: 41 Seconds: 50
if youre going thru hell, keep going
|
|
|
|
violet56
|
Sep 30, 2012 (05:12 PM)
|
|
|
Joined:
Jun 12, 2006
Age: 57
Gender: Female
Country: Canada
Occupation: Customer Service
Hobbies: Photography,writing,reading
747961
|
Hi Jen, I know how you feel because I was kinda peeved at my husband the first week that I quit and he kept smoking...it was tough even though he did his best to hide if from me because I knew why he was going outside. I still avoid situations where a group is smoking. I just politely excuse myself and say I'm not ready yet and that to let me know when they are done and we can continue the conversation. I realize that actually I'm pretty lucky and that most of the people that are important to me never smoked or have quit ! How cool is that It's a problem though if a lot of the people close to you still smoke sigh. I think your quit is the most important thing and you have to do everything you can to protect it until you are stronger. Everyone says that some day it will be okay again to be around smokers and we have a lot of experience on this board and they know what they are talking about. With any luck those people will see your success and decide to give quitting a go themselves 
My Milage:
My Quit Date: 7/25/2012
Smoke-Free Days: 67
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 1,005
Amount Saved: $402.00
Life Gained:
Days: 9 Hrs: 7 Mins: 42 Seconds: 45
It's never too late to be what you might have been
|
|
|
|
sparky2
|
Sep 30, 2012 (04:31 PM)
|
|
|
Joined:
Aug 15, 2011
Age: 55
Gender: Male
Country: Canada
Occupation: Being a child of the universe and exploring what it has to offer
Hobbies: Travelling, music, writing, being outdoors and giving a hand up to someone who is down
747959
|
One thing we need to remeber is we are the ones quitting and there is still a whole world of people who aren't. As we are the ones who are quitting we cannot expect that the world caters to us. Many smokers don't think twice about lighting up and are not always thougthful of others. One would think common courtesy shout prevail but alas do not always. As the quittter when surrounded by smokers it then becomes your responsibility to adapt to them and not the other way around. We can't force them not to smoke because we are there. You did all you could by saying excuse me but if they do not want to stop then you take action ot minmize the risks. I know that sucks and you would think that they should have noticed you but it is not always it happens so as quitters we learn to adapt and protect ourselves. I commend you as you did all you could which was remind but if they choose to ignore that then leaving was your only option. Had it been reversed and was all non and only one the the outcome would have been different. You will as Mia said one day be able to return to that group and still be a non smoker and stay with them but for now you have to be on the outside looking in.
My Milage:
My Quit Date: 11/19/2010
Smoke-Free Days: 681
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 17,025
Amount Saved: $6,810.00
Life Gained:
Days: 122 Hrs: 8 Mins: 30 Seconds: 10
It's hard to fail, but it's worse to not even try
|
|
|
|
yay me
|
Sep 30, 2012 (04:07 PM)
|
|
|
Joined:
Aug 26, 2012
Gender: Female
Country: Canada
Hobbies: living smoke freeeeeee
747957
|
thanks Mia...i felt sooo close to blowing up and storming off lol the crazy quitter inside me almost had me convinced to  and i have found my emotions are soo intense since quitting: my anger explodes, i bawl my eyes out when im sad, im super energetic when im happy. Starting to feel like a 1 woman freak show...just keep trying to remind myself that things will calm eventually and my body will be healed enough to chill the heck out and begin to act instead of react to every day life. in the meantime im trying to work on communicating what im feeling/when with everyone around me in hopes that they dont all soon hate my guts. I only know how frustrating it is to be in my own skin right now, i cant even imagine what it must be like to be around me  OH!! the most exciting part of today is I finally signed up for the text support-fallen in love with the daily support mssgs and emergency help. Definately recommend it
My Milage:
My Quit Date: 9/24/2012
Smoke-Free Days: 6
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 150
Amount Saved: $60.00
Life Gained:
Days: 0 Hrs: 11 Mins: 34 Seconds: 31
if youre going thru hell, keep going
|
|
|
|
mamamia
|
Sep 30, 2012 (03:10 PM)
|
|
|
Joined:
Dec 25, 2011
Age: 46
Gender: Female
Occupation: stay at home mom
Hobbies: reading, gardening, cleaning, snowmobiling
747956
|
Good for you yay me, You survived in a very tough situation, and you didn't let the addiction win, I am also very impress that you were able to voice your opinions with your bf, communication is so important , Eventually you will be able to stay around smokers but for now avoiding those situations is probably best... you did great... congrats on hell week behind you all the best mia
My Milage:
My Quit Date: 12/22/2011
Smoke-Free Days: 283
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 3,113
Amount Saved: $1,369.72
Life Gained:
Days: 28 Hrs: 8 Mins: 42 Seconds: 57
be all that you can be
|
|
|
|
yay me
|
Sep 30, 2012 (02:57 PM)
|
|
|
Joined:
Aug 26, 2012
Gender: Female
Country: Canada
Hobbies: living smoke freeeeeee
747954
|
Work thru it in my safe spot LOL. Thank for listening. Sorry for spewing lol
My Milage:
My Quit Date: 9/24/2012
Smoke-Free Days: 6
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 150
Amount Saved: $60.00
Life Gained:
Days: 0 Hrs: 11 Mins: 29 Seconds: 27
if youre going thru hell, keep going
|
|
|
|
yay me
|
Sep 30, 2012 (02:54 PM)
|
|
|
Joined:
Aug 26, 2012
Gender: Female
Country: Canada
Hobbies: living smoke freeeeeee
747952
|
So its been a great smoke free Sunday. Ending hell week soonly. Was invited out for breakfast with the boyfriend, his dad n dads gf. Breakfast was amazing. Then we meandered outside to chat a while longer......and all 3 of them smoke......so they all lit one...then another...I'd told them at breakfast I am on my 6th day of my non smoker life and they all congratulated me...then moments later are surrounding me with chainsmoking. I felt if I left the conversation and area completely it would be rude but I could feel my craving and discomfort rising. So I gave up and announced you guys are killing me n nervously laughed while backing up out of the plume of smoke. They apologized and, naturally, continued to smoke. I felt so left out n sorta putzed around minding my own business trying to take deep breaths.....thankfully we left very shortly after and as soon as it was me n bf alone I told him how incredibly stressful n torturous it felt and left out.....I reminded him I'm still new in my journey and I don't feel that strong yet. Eventually I will be but for now its cruel and uncomfortable and I am adamant I will NEVER again be shackled and enslaved by a nicotine addiction and its important to me to have all the help n support I can get while also not feeling backed into a corner in a tempting situation or trapped by triggers. I felt very out of sorts like I was missing something or needed something but I wasn't sure what? So I tried to breathe deep and enjoy the rest of the ride home and evn stopped for a nice chamomile tea. Naturally I was itching to get on here to
My Milage:
My Quit Date: 9/24/2012
Smoke-Free Days: 6
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 150
Amount Saved: $60.00
Life Gained:
Days: 0 Hrs: 11 Mins: 29 Seconds: 14
if youre going thru hell, keep going
|
|
|
|
| 1 |
|
|
 |
|
 |
|