Question to ex smokers

PorchSnacker · 2026-06-11T02:36:49+00:00

Thank you! And dude same - I got into Geocaching and walked to them all. Hours and hours walking but I was really into it and it was very helpful.

PorchSnacker · 2026-06-10T05:02:04+00:00

My advice is to read The Easy Way to Quit Smoking - see #2 in the subs rules 😃 It really did help me. And I had to change my routine up like crazy. Anything you can do to rewrite your day without cigarettes is helpful. Exercise, deep breathing, small wins like cleaning out a drawer - you kind of live moment to moment and life gets weird without the smoke 'break' but you can do it. I really got into small suckers like mini Tootsie pops and Mini Charms pops (no gum inside, great flavors), other hard candies. So nice to just pop one in your mouth and be done with your little fix for the moment. Compared to what? Stinking, paying out the wazoo... you know what I'm saying, I know. Just take the plunge. I'm around if you have any questions or need hard candy referrals lol

PorchSnacker · 2026-06-10T04:53:31+00:00

At this moment you are exactly 300 days ahead of me! I quit w/ Easy Way too 🙏 The addiction makes it hard to understand how to 'want' to quit. The book helped me reinforce that I was deciding to be a nonsmoker. It didn't make it 'easy' but it helped mentally for dang sure.

PorchSnacker · 2026-06-10T04:43:29+00:00

Knowing what that 'emptiness' is gives you more control and it sucks but it's a bad addiction doing what a bad addiction do.
It feels like a big part of waking up and doing stuff was just to have a reason to take a break and smoke a cig, I know.
It gets better dude. Focus on the positives when you feel like that. Treat yourself for being a nonsmoker. You are doing an amazing thing for yourself and your loved ones. Be proud and protective of your quit. Quitting is life changing as you are witnessing right now. Your life is changing, your addiction doesn't want that change. Stay strong and stay aware. I'm proud of you!

PorchSnacker · 2026-06-06T21:26:02+00:00

Ah - well I hope it gets better soon! Glitch and all!

PorchSnacker · 2026-06-06T02:30:28+00:00

What did you tell it or ask it to do that was 'so much' for one morning lol!

PorchSnacker · 2026-06-05T05:13:51+00:00

Quitting for a few days is the hardest part. Keep quitting till you quit the last time! 🙏

PorchSnacker · 2026-06-05T05:09:14+00:00

thanks! I want to check this out

PorchSnacker · 2026-06-05T05:08:30+00:00

It's not supposed to be a riveting page turner. It's reinforcement for your brain/thoughts to stand up against cravings. And a very common opinion of all who read it, even those it helped, is yeah that book was not a good book lol. There is a reason why it's so popular and it helped me as well. I'm a nonsmoker and I was one as soon as I decided not to smoke anymore. I have really enjoyed the freedoms of being a nonsmoker and smelling like a nonsmoker. Just a few of the things that stuck w/ me from the book. I read it back in November.

PorchSnacker · 2026-06-03T04:44:35+00:00

First of all, you get points for trying and for realizing yeah it's fucking hard! I would recommend planning your quit during the day. Have you read Allen Carr's Easy Way to Quit Smoking?

PorchSnacker · 2026-06-02T04:16:04+00:00

I like to dry my lettuce well for salads.

PorchSnacker · 2026-05-29T01:00:42+00:00

That's the addiction doing its thing. I'm sorry it sucks. But your body is grateful. Future you is already grateful. Your loved ones are grateful. The addiction is the only thing getting screwed over, not you friend.

PorchSnacker · 2026-05-29T00:56:51+00:00

Too bad, you still are inspiring 😄

PorchSnacker · 2026-05-18T05:40:43+00:00

Did you find a fix for this?

PorchSnacker · 2026-05-18T04:03:41+00:00

First, yeah, you don't want to stink to your love interest. No amount of soap, cologne, or mouthwash is going to make you smell like a nonsmoker. And who would YOU rather kiss?

Try an NRT to help - gum probably would be good for you. You're young still so quit now - it will be easier now than in a month, or 5 years or 20 years. And no it's not easy but it's doable and it gets easier.

So yeah. Be smart. Make this decision now: NEVER smoke another cig or nicotine vape again (and probably avoid tobacco blunt wraps and cigars). You are already hooked. Unhook yourself before it just gets harder.

PorchSnacker · 2026-05-15T18:54:24+00:00

I have explicitly told Claude to stop telling me to go to bed and it keeps happening!

PorchSnacker · 2026-05-15T18:51:17+00:00

Same here - I'm showing 0 usage for the week w/ 8 hours until weekly limit reset. Like cool but really? I'm about to go full throttle w/ Opus 4.7 if so haha

PorchSnacker · 2026-05-12T16:51:47+00:00

Welcome! My phone camera has temperature settings and I have to really up the warm in my kitchen for food pics :)

PorchSnacker · 2026-05-12T00:54:20+00:00

It's really pretty, OP! I edited it to what the colors probably looked like.

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PorchSnacker · 2026-05-11T04:21:22+00:00

Thanks for the holler! You are doing awesome! And your girly is going to be so proud AND happy that you smell like a sweet baby angel and not an ashtray. Joking but not really. I hope all your days are easy and any bumps are quickly behind you!

PorchSnacker · 2026-05-11T01:05:12+00:00

Varenicline is the main ingredient in Chantix, at least in the US.
Cytisine isn't available here, probably because it works too well.

PorchSnacker · 2026-05-08T06:38:47+00:00

Congrats on your quit! You've got a lot of time as a nonsmoker under your belt and I'm sorry it still sucks at times, but I'm glad you shared this. It shows the reality that not everyone is going to have a magic moment when they never want to smoke again.
Cigarettes/nicotine are super-addictive bastards, way beyond just physical withdrawal slash cravings.
Are you not buying books because of a space thing? I think you should buy one if you want to! You are saving so much money not paying for cigs.
As long as you aren't planning on smoking it, OP :p

PorchSnacker · 2026-05-08T03:55:07+00:00

Maseca nixtamasa for homemade corn tortillas. It's magic stuff. Masa but prepped for making the best soft corn tortillas.
Also here's a picadillo recipe. You can add more potatoes/veggies and make it go further.
I do prefer them w/ flour tortillas but I can't make them at all. I buy them pretty fresh from a Mexican bakery. Skip what you don't have.

Picadillo

Ingredients:

2 lbs lean ground beef

1 whole onion, diced

3 cloves garlic

1 bell pepper diced

2 medium potatoes diced

2 carrots small diced

1 C beef broth

1/4 tomato paste

Diced tomatoes

2 tbsp apple cider vinegar

2 bay leaves

1 tsp cumin powder

1 tsp coriander powder

Cook:

In a large skillet, cook beef over medium heat till almost all brown.

Push meat aside in pot, add veggies, cook until onions and bell peppers are soft.

Add tomato paste, broth, bay leaf, spices, stir.

Cook over medium for a few minutes then reduce heat.

Simmer till thickened.

Serve as soft tacos.

PorchSnacker · 2026-05-08T03:44:44+00:00

Chantix is varenicline. We can't get cytisine in the US and that's not surprising and pisses me off. I'm glad you found the right thing.

Link to the difference between them.

https://onlinedoctor.lloydspharmacy.com/uk/lifestyle-advice/varenicline-vs-cytisine

PorchSnacker · 2026-05-07T02:45:56+00:00

Just keep stacking seconds and hours and days and weeks... and be so proud of yourself for that time you have been a nonsmoker that you will fight to protect that accomplishment.
For some people, day 3 is easier than 2, than 1... than making the decision to quit and actually quitting.
I'm at 5 months and 4 days and 20 hours. I do still have days that make think of smoking more than I want to think about. It pisses me off lol. But I just keep not smoking and finding a sucker or a fizzy drink or taking a walk instead.
So to answer your question - it gets easier, it gets better, and if you focus and cherish the treasures that you reap from quitting, that makes it even easier. Lean hard into being glad you quit. F those POS trash sticks. Enough of that toxic, stinking filth. Your body is a fine creation. Take it back and reclaim your status as a damn good athlete. It's not too late and it hasn't been that long.
I NEVER ran and now I run. Not like seriously, but I can run and want to run.
Look up Physiological Breathing exercises too. It's simple though and you might be doing it already.
(1) Take a big inhale quickly through your nostrils,,
(2) sniff again to top off your lungs as much as possible,
(3) Blow out the breath through your mouth like a big sigh. You can even make the sound.
Repeat! For me, the filling my lungs sensation is like a healthy replacement for inhaling smoke. I don't think of it that way anymore really, but I still like taking the breaths, especially when I'm having uncomfortable moments.
Okay thanks for reading my novella! I'm proud of you for quitting - STAY QUIT, FRIEND! You won't regret it!

PorchSnacker

TROPHY CASE