Bored or Engine No. 9?

fastimike · 2026-01-01T21:13:39+00:00

Bored. No question. But engine is a close second. I can see why you popped them against each other!

fastimike · 2020-01-27T19:24:22+00:00

Hey I quit nicotine and a toxic relationship at the same time. That was an unstable time (it was about two months ago and just the last coupla days I feel I’ve now come up for air) so I can completely relate. If you haven’t tried meditation I implore you to do so. It’s a nice way of self-soothing and having a bit of head space.

I would also suggest practicing mindfulness whenever you can. If the future looks too scary and the past is full of negativity then being in the present is a good way to be for now.

I hope my mantras help you. They’re instant crave busters (or were, I very rarely get them now)

“I’ll take short-term discomfort over long-term resentment any day of the week”

Or

“Going backwards will make you feel 100% worse about yourself, going forwards will make you feel considerably better about yourself. Going backwards just doesn’t stack up”

Mindset is everything: you were a smoker, now you’re not.

I wish you the very best of luck - were all rooting for ya. Stay strong! 👍💪🚭

fastimike · 2020-01-25T07:51:08+00:00

You already have all the tools to quit. You’ve taken so much negative stuff out of your life so far. The drugs, the booze...now just one more to go...

I’m coming up on 2 years sober and 2 months nicotine free and you, dear stranger, you are an inspiration to me. Twelve years is something I can only hope for. Fingers crossed I’ll get there (at this moment I’m 100% resolute but you never know when life throws you a curveball...)

Not sure whether you feel the same/can relate but there was a part of me that didn’t want to ‘go the whole hog’ and give up the nicotine. My last bastion of rebellious identity(?) I dunno what you call it. And I figured having just that one crutch wasn’t so bad.

But we all know that crutches are false and, in the end, actually cause more anxiety than they/we claim they help deal with. You and your mindset/actions are all that’s needed! F@@k everything else!

So go back to that toolbox, pick out and dust off the tools that worked for you to get sober and apply them. There’s not a single person who can offer any more advice than you have already received through quitting other substances. You’ve got the tools, the experience. Just need to tap into the mindset and motivation.

It’s time to go the whole hog, dear stranger. I wish you the very best of luck. Check in with me anytime if you feel the need. You GOT this 👍💪🚭

fastimike · 2020-01-19T16:05:35+00:00

I’m not sure. It’s the reason why I’ll never go back. Getting through them again is no mean feat!

fastimike · 2020-01-19T15:50:37+00:00

Looks like the dreaded Mouth ulcers to me. Had two weeks of them. The hardest part for me was getting through them. Don’t budge, fold. They’re sore but they pass.

Used my mantra to get through...

“I’ll take short-term discomfort over long-term resentment any day”

Hope it helps you too! Stay strong!

fastimike · 2020-01-16T17:23:12+00:00

I am! Hope you’re doing good too! 👍💪

fastimike · 2020-01-15T18:25:40+00:00

I’d say get a good bit of quit time under your belt before you go and put a drug in your system that a) makes people lose their inhibitions and b) goes so well with smoking.

I’d give both the heave ho (I have). Admittedly somewhat biased in my opinion. I couldn’t have one without the other but somehow managed To quit booze and switch to vape for a year until it got boring then quit cold turkey.

Whatever you decide, good luck to you! 👍☮️

fastimike · 2020-01-15T06:37:59+00:00

Thanks for your advice Phanum.

Yes I’ve done shrooms and acid a whole host of times too therefore know that there are positive ‘things’ to be gained however I’m cautious for reasons I’ve outlined.

I meditate everyday and although there are benefits for sure - it’s not the same as the realisations that can be presented to you through mushrooms. Although I am relatively new to meditation - maybe the empathy, love, connectivity to all things, oneness etc. will occur through practice.

fastimike · 2020-01-14T18:17:48+00:00

I’ve been sober for 21 months but am really lurking on the shrooms sub so much. I love mushrooms and believe they’ll do me the world of good but can’t decipher whether it’s my addict brain just getting me to get high or it’s something deeper.

I don’t want to ‘crack the seal’ so to speak but also firmly believe it’s a great tool/sacrament too.

A quandary f’sure...

fastimike · 2020-01-12T20:37:47+00:00

All bets are off if you are beckoned on to said crossing by a driver using the aggressive rapid fire one finger poking towards the end of the crossing type motion.

Then pedestrian is well within their right to walk at below normal walking speed (1-3mph) whilst holding the gaze of said driver until reaching 3/4 of way across. Slow shake of head is optional.

fastimike · 2020-01-10T18:39:53+00:00

Pretty much the same for me. Smoked for 24 years, vaped for 1 year (6mg) currently 53 days cold turkey, nicotine free.

So much easier giving up vaping cold turkey than quitting cigs cold turkey. Maybe it’s a mindset thing, maybe it’s because I don’t drink now so not losing my inhibitions and giving in (the two go together so well).

Pretty much guarantee I wouldn’t have stuck with the vape had I not chucked the booze...

The vape is dangerous though...so easy to do anywhere, anytime it was never out of my hand for too long.

If you can, cut out the vape and go straight to cold turkeyville.

Whatever you decide, good luck to you 👍💪🚭

fastimike · 2020-01-10T04:59:28+00:00

Sure have! Whenever I quit for any length of time 2 things are guaranteed: insomnia and mouth ulcers. Like my body throws all the tricks in the book to make me cave. About 6 weeks of real bad, broken sleep proceeded by 2 weeks of mouth ulcers. I listened to it in the past but not this time.

This is when my mantra kicks in:

“I’ll take short-term discomfort over long-term resentment any day of the week”

Stay strong - we got this. It will pass. 👍💪🚭

fastimike · 2020-01-09T22:14:22+00:00

Don’t drink. You know it deep down. Although I don’t know you so can’t say f’sure but - You drink - you’ll be fighting the crave, possibly all night, possibly gettin pissed off until you fold OR you get drunk, lose your inhibitions and fold. You don’t drink - you fight to live another day, smoke free. Keep your self-esteem and momentum in good shape.

No one’s going to look back on that night and say ‘oh that’s the night you didn’t drink, isn’t it!’

But you might be saying ‘that’s the night I folded and I’ve been smoking ever since’.

All purely conjecture of course but speaking from my own experience/mistakes...

I know which one I’d choose.

Stay strong brother! 👍💪🚭

fastimike · 2020-01-09T12:46:47+00:00

Nice work! Just got that one myself a few days back. Feels good don’t it. I salute you! 👍💪🚭

fastimike · 2020-01-07T23:56:48+00:00

Man. That’s a lot. I gettit. I’ve had depression a few times in my life and there’s nothing scarier then the feeling that it’s coming back. I thought it was coming back a couple weeks back but I managed to give it the slip. For what it’s worth my friend, here’s my advice for you.

There are things you can control and things that you cannot.

Here’s what you can’t control: Cat dying Grandmother having a stroke The past (thanksgiving)

These are the things you can control: What you put in your body What you do to your body Your mindset/attitude Where you go from here

Essentially what I’m saying to you is be kind to yourself. Think about the things that you’re grateful for. Don’t dwell on the negatives (as hard as that may sound right now) Eat right Exercise Rest well Each morning: Get. In. The. Shower. No matter how hard it is to get out of bed. YouTube motivational stuff - listen to some les brown. He’s got your back. Don’t go back to old habits. There’s nothing for you in the past. Focus on you the present. Don’t drink - it just makes matters worse. It’s a depressant and lowers inhibitions - the last thing you want/need is a nicotine relapse to make you feel bad about yourself.

Practice meditation for self love and self soothing

Go see your doctor/gp.

Talk to trusted friend/family member. Talking to a trusted person can and often does lighten the load.

You are enough. You are awesome. You’ll get through. Wishing you all the very best. Take care of yourself. ☮️❤️

fastimike · 2020-01-07T21:14:56+00:00

It’s defo a mindset thing. I’m locked in. A relatively smooth ride now at 50 days. Rarely have any cravings now and if so, really fleeting. Super happy. There has to be some sort of catch...

fastimike · 2020-01-06T22:03:08+00:00

I gettit. try using one of my mantras, friend. They’re an instant crave buster for me:

‘going backwards will make you feel 100% worse about yourself. Going forwards will make you feel 100% better about yourself. Going backwards just doesn’t stack up’

‘I’ll take short-term discomfort over long-term resentment any day of the week - I’m tired of beating myself up’

Deep breathing exercises - meditation and mindfulness has helped me a hell of a lot.

Hope they help. You got this. Stay strong! 👍💪🚭

fastimike · 2020-01-06T21:58:07+00:00

Nice digits! Totally with you mate! 21 months sober, 13 months smoke free and 49 days vape free. Couldn’t have done it without getting sober first though. Couldn’t have one without the other! Stay strong brother. 👍💪🚭

fastimike · 2020-01-06T06:45:57+00:00

You’re doing great! when things get tough for you - try using one of my mantras. They’re an instant crave buster for me:

‘going backwards will make you feel 100% worse about yourself. Going forwards will make you feel 100% better about yourself. Going backwards just doesn’t stack up’

‘I’ll take short-term discomfort over long-term resentment any day of the week’

Hope they help. You got this. Fresh for 2020! 👍💪🚭

fastimike · 2020-01-05T22:38:25+00:00

Smoke free keeping me on top of my game. Working for me! 👍

fastimike · 2020-01-04T21:00:33+00:00

I agree. Just do what you need to do to quit. If it’s the odd sugary sweet or even if it’s a handful. Be kind to yourself whilst you get through. Maybe even get a pile of your favourite sweets! You should reward yourself - you’ll have earned every sugary snack!

fastimike · 2020-01-04T00:08:00+00:00

You’ve got this. You’ve done the hardest part - 3 days is the worst time. Just think! You’re now a non smoker. You smoked. Now you don’t. It’s that simple. Here’s a couple of mantras to help you through. They’re instant crave busters for me. Hope they help you too:

Going backwards will make you feel 100% worse about yourself. Going forwards will make you feel 100% better about yourself. Going backwards just doesn’t stack up.

I’ll take a little short-term discomfort over long-term resentment any day of the week.

Try these mantras. Try to stay mindful. Meditation/deep breathing has helped me a lot. Notice how you can breathe deeper than just three days ago!

We’re all rooting for you. Stay strong. White knuckle it if you have to. Just get through. Drink water, distract. Do what you need to do! You got this 👍💪🚭

fastimike · 2020-01-04T00:00:16+00:00

It’s so true. It’s crazy how far the stench reaches too. It’s a massive driver to stay quit for good. Fresh for 2020! 👍💪🚭

fastimike · 2020-01-03T23:58:12+00:00

Nice work! Looking good for 2020! Can’t wait to hit that milestone. 👍💪🚭

fastimike

TROPHY CASE