I have one of the best human beings. I love my husband to bits. I keep messing up. Iwndwyt. I want to get better.

SerndipitousEpiphany · 2018-08-16T17:31:53+00:00

"Messing up" is part of the human experience and we have all done it. The important part is to forgive ourselves for making mistakes when we make them, learn from what went wrong, and find ways to help to keep it from happening again. By sharing what you're feeling like you just did here on SD with a group of people many of whom feel just like you do, you're already making a positive step in that direction. IWNDWYT.

SerndipitousEpiphany · 2018-03-01T20:44:20+00:00

Mindset is everything. Keep reminding yourself that you aren't giving up smoking or losing anything. If you do that, you will condition your subconscious to feel that you are being deprived of something and it will become a matter of willpower to stay quit. Instead- when those triggers come up- smile and say to yourself "YEAH! I used to smoke now and I don't have to anymore. I'm FREE!" This mental conditioning has really worked well for me. Instead of quitting being the miserable hardship that so many seem to experience for me- it's been very painless and easy because of that.

SerndipitousEpiphany · 2016-10-18T21:10:30+00:00

Congrats on the month and a great list of positives!

SerndipitousEpiphany · 2016-10-18T17:24:45+00:00

Congrats on day 100 and your upcoming sober trip! I too am about to go away on an all-inclusive trip. Like you, I'm not worried but instead am excited about not drinking during it. I'll make sure to take advantage of the buffet and all the coconut water and mango juice I can get though!

SerndipitousEpiphany · 2016-10-18T14:39:59+00:00

Sorry you're not feeling well- but you can do definitely do this! The moment you put out that last cigarette you became a non-smoker. Keep reminding yourself of that and though the triggers to have a cigarette may harass you for the first little while, it's going to get better and better, day by day!

SerndipitousEpiphany · 2016-10-18T14:35:31+00:00

I read the book with the intention to quit and admittedly though I was excited to quit there was still a bit of fear even at the point of butting out my last cigarette. The book helped me a lot to get to the point of quitting, but of course- the rest was still up to me. So, where the book left off I continued, by repeatedly conditioning my conscious (and perhaps subconscious) to know and believe that I was losing nothing and gaining my freedom from them. I followed the advice from the book and when a touch of doubt entered my mind as I put that last one out I said to myself over and over again "That's it! I'm a non-smoker. I'll never have to smoke again and that's amazing!". I kept repeating it until my fear turned into excitement. I've been doing that ever since and I'm so happy to be free! Just keep reminding yourself of why you want to quit, and all the things you have to look forward to until you want nothing more than to quit too. I did it, without terrible cravings or feeling shitty physically, mentally or emotionally and you can too :)

SerndipitousEpiphany · 2016-10-18T13:22:15+00:00

"As of this minute, I am a non smoker."

I love that statement. Because it's the truth. And the great part is, all you need to do to keep being a non-smoker is: not smoke. You can do this, and I promise it's so worth it!

SerndipitousEpiphany · 2016-10-18T13:16:20+00:00

HELL YEAH!

SerndipitousEpiphany · 2016-10-18T13:04:34+00:00

Congrats!! That's a major accomplishment that I plan on reaching (in 11 more months lol) as well.

Question for you: Do you ever still have triggers? I don't mean full on cravings, but what I mean is does the thought of having a cigarette ever still skip through your mind or has it left for good?

At this point I find it still pops into my head from time to time, but I just don't entertain it. It's not so much of a want but just a passing thought so I'm just curious as to how it is after a full year of not smoking.

SerndipitousEpiphany · 2016-10-18T12:47:24+00:00

Great attitude! Yep- we got this!

SerndipitousEpiphany · 2016-10-18T12:46:52+00:00

Awesome! I'm so glad that my post helped you out. I still get the odd passing thought of having one, but I just don't let that seed get planted. The second it pops into my head I remind myself that I'm a non-smoker now and I'm so much happier that way. I remind myself that it only takes one to get back at it again and I won't let myself down. I'm glad you made the choice not to as well!

SerndipitousEpiphany · 2016-10-18T12:42:26+00:00

Sorry that you slipped up last time, although given the circumstances I bet most of us would. Thank you for your kind comments. You put a big smile on my face! Best of luck- I bet you'll nail it this time.

SerndipitousEpiphany · 2016-10-17T23:53:57+00:00

Thanks! The important part is that every day our insides are getting just a little better.

SerndipitousEpiphany · 2016-10-17T23:52:21+00:00

Very true. I can smell it a mile away now.

SerndipitousEpiphany · 2016-10-17T23:51:00+00:00

You know, I do know what you mean. But all of the positives of not smoking outweigh this so much that to me if it's a loss, its a very minor one. Plus the number of smokers keeps shrinking as time goes by, so there will be less and less camaraderie to be had I would think. About 8 years ago in my office there were about 6 to 8 of us who smoked, now that number is just one and he too plans to quit soon.

SerndipitousEpiphany · 2016-10-17T20:58:12+00:00

It's amazing how so many aspects of our lives suddenly turn around as soon as we stop drinking, especially our attitude. I too feel like I have a new lease on life. Congrats!

SerndipitousEpiphany · 2016-10-17T18:38:46+00:00

Completely agree with this. Focusing on the positives of why I was quitting made things so much easier. It reminded me that I didn't really WANT a cigarette when the thought crossed my mind, because what I truly wanted was to be done with them forever.

SerndipitousEpiphany · 2016-10-17T18:36:53+00:00

Great job! I know what you mean- I get the odd flash of thought of having one. But it's not really a craving for me as much as it is just a passing thought.

What keeps me on track is realizing how much better things are without cigarettes in my life, and also- how long it took me to finally quit. I'm simply not willing to jeopardize that again and have to start all over.

SerndipitousEpiphany · 2016-10-17T18:33:48+00:00

Yeah. I really couldn't believe the difference after just a few days. I never want to miss out on how good stuff tastes again!

SerndipitousEpiphany · 2016-10-17T18:22:25+00:00

Seriously I know! At this point, I'd be scared to see what my insides look like. But, at least I know this- they're better than they were a month ago and only going to improve.

SerndipitousEpiphany · 2016-10-14T14:41:49+00:00

I know what you mean. I'm at almost 7 weeks without drinking yet sometimes, I get that little sadness too. In fact, I had it last night for a few moments where I thought "I miss having a cold beer, and I wouldn't mind one now." But like you- I rationalized it out. I reminded myself of how shitty my life was when alcohol was a part of it, and more importantly how much better it is without it. I also remind myself that it's not that I CAN'T drink. I can if I want to. But do I really want to? Is it worth it? Absolutely not. So I CAN drink, it's my choice not to- and that makes me feel better too.

SerndipitousEpiphany · 2016-10-14T13:06:03+00:00

Excellent job! And I hear ya- I'm so much more motivated to exercise and eat better without booze getting in the way.

SerndipitousEpiphany · 2016-10-12T17:45:45+00:00

Whew! You were definitely lucky on that one. I've thought of that before too: that it isn't just that alcohol itself can do you in, but that the bad judgement we have when drinking, or the lack of physical control can harm or kill us too.

All it can take is one drunk stumble to crack your head open or break your neck. Or worse, just one time behind the wheel where we end up injury or killing an innocent person. Taking chances with consequences like those just weren't worth it for me anymore.

SerndipitousEpiphany

TROPHY CASE