[DFINITLYDISTRUBD]

Yeah. Best way to improve matters is to do completely nothing. I've got to hand it to the iron clad logic on that one.

Are you pickin on me?

Meany!

Ain't no-one gonna get me to do Yoga! (fun to watch though!)

Maybe some relatively harmless form of martial arts.
(Something where it isn't too likely that I'll hurt myself or others.

In any case none of these options would help much at work.

For home stressors there's investing more time into my hobbies ...most importantly my cello which does wonders to sooth my nerves on a good day and infuriates me to no end on a bad (I'm on my 4th bow)...I'd like to get back to painting as well....verrrry relaxing good or bad day.

[REASON]

For any of my Hypo-friends that are interested, as of tonight at about 10:00 I will be at nine days without a cigarette.

So far, I've made it through several more triggers, and I'm finding that it is not as difficult as I thought it would be. I believe my mental resolve about it is part of the reason why. I even sat in the smoking section at lunch yesterday.

Still have a long way to go and a bunch more triggers to overcome.

[DougF]

Good for you REASON,
Don't let your guard down, You can do it.

[InfiniteNow]

Originally Posted by REASON

For any of my Hypo-friends that are interested, as of tonight at about 10:00 I will be at nine days without a cigarette.

So far, I've made it through several more triggers, and I'm finding that it is not as difficult as I thought it would be. I believe my mental resolve about it is part of the reason why. I even sat in the smoking section at lunch yesterday.

Still have a long way to go and a bunch more triggers to overcome.

Well done, mate. Just remember to stay with it and focussed. Don't be like the guy at the water tower who hasn't seen a boat in a week and falls asleep, so then misses the one which shows up.

Keep your attention and focus.

If you (or others reading this) have a relapse moment, then use it as an opportunity to see where you were weak and where you need to incorporate the new experience you learned in your temporary and passing mistake into your strategy for next time. A major problem is that many people use a relapse as a reason to reinforce their feelings of helplessness, and as a reason to avoid quitting next time... instead of an opportunity to see where the plan needs to be adjusted or where life offers it's biggest triggers.

The truth is, you don't want to relapse. I get that. However, if by some chance you do (remember, you don't, but... ), then look at what you did wrong. Learn from the mistake. Incorporate the new information into your plan (what did I do wrong? what triggered it? can I avoid it? what can I do instead... Next Time)... Just don't give up.

Remember, you don't want to relapse, and you don't want any excuses to. That's the focus. Just makse sure that... IF a relapse happens it is a bump in the road which has given a reason to learn... acute... temporary... not a catastrophic end point.


Most of this post was not for Reason, but for others who may be reading it and facing these same challenges.

For Reason, well done. It's been ten days now and counting. Stay with it, and try not to need the ideas above. One of these days (probably more than a month from two or now if you're like me), you'll just stop counting.

[Zythryn]

Congratulations Reason! I have seen how tough it can be and applaud your resolve.

[REASON]

Originally Posted by InfiniteNow

If you (or others reading this) have a relapse moment, then use it as an opportunity to see where you were weak and where you need to incorporate the new experience you learned in your temporary and passing mistake into your strategy for next time. A major problem is that many people use a relapse as a reason to reinforce their feelings of helplessness, and as a reason to avoid quitting next time... instead of an opportunity to see where the plan needs to be adjusted or where life offers it's biggest triggers.

The truth is, you don't want to relapse. I get that. However, if by some chance you do (remember, you don't, but... ), then look at what you did wrong. Learn from the mistake. Incorporate the new information into your plan (what did I do wrong? what triggered it? can I avoid it? what can I do instead... Next Time)... Just don't give up.

Excellent advice INow. Very wise indeed.

The statement of yours I bolded above is particularly important because it can be applied to so many aspects of our lives and the challenges we face. I learned from a young age that it is our mistakes that offer the best opportunities to learn. My mother always reminded me that mistakes should be seen as gifts because of the opportunity for improvement they offer. Of course, we have to be willing to receive those gifts, and make the necessary changes in order to reap the reward. Otherwise, we'll keep getting re-gifted.

I appreciate you guy's support. I actually succeeded through another big trigger last night. I went to hang out with one of my buddies to see his new, two week old baby girl (he's 41 ) and have a few cocktails, and he smokes. I made it through the whole night without having a single one, and even stood out in the cold to chat with him while he smoked. That was a major accomplishment for me. I was really tempted. The rationalization centers of my brain were dialed up to 11, and there was a lot of chatter going on. I treated it like I was litterally being challenged by someone, and it was either put up or shut up. And I put up by simply setting it aside in my mind. There was real empowerment in it, and that's what I'm taking from the situation.

More work ahead.

[DFINITLYDISTRUBD]

Damn you're a stronger man than I !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'd have been rippin that bugger out of his hand.....Gimmme!!!
One quick hit won't hurt! Just one! Yeah then I'll go back to quittin...

Way to go!

[REASON]

Originally Posted by DFINITLYDISTRUBD

I'd have been rippin that bugger out of his hand.....Gimmme!!!
One quick hit won't hurt! Just one! Yeah then I'll go back to quittin...

Christ, do you think that didn't occur to me.....constantly?

I had to keep telling myself that the reality is.....one doesn't actually mean one. One means one now, and therefore one later in a similar situation, and so on. That's exactly the rationalization I was up against.

First round goes to REASON.

[DFINITLYDISTRUBD]

Originally Posted by REASON

Christ, do you think that didn't occur to me.....constantly?

I had to keep telling myself that the reality is.....one doesn't actually mean one. One means one now, and therefore one later in a similar situation, and so on. That's exactly the rationalization I was up against.

First round goes to REASON.

Yeah! I'd be rather surprised if it hadn't!

But that's the difference between you and I...not only would I have thought it, I'd have done it! And again I congratulate you on not making the choice that I would have made in your shoes.

This is part of why I'm not even trying to quit "cold turkey"...I know I'll fail...or falter then give it up as hopeless and not worth the agrivation. < that word is rather irritating to spell and therefore after a half a dozen tries not worth any more effort.

The other reasons- the rather short fused Irate person I turn into, and two previous failed attempts.

[DFINITLYDISTRUBD]

Originally Posted by DFINITLYDISTRUBD

Are you pickin on me?

Meany!

Ain't no-one gonna get me to do Yoga! (fun to watch though!)

Maybe some relatively harmless form of martial arts.
(Something where it isn't too likely that I'll hurt myself or others.

In any case none of these options would help much at work.

For home stressors there's investing more time into my hobbies ...most importantly my cello which does wonders to sooth my nerves on a good day and infuriates me to no end on a bad (I'm on my 4th bow)...I'd like to get back to painting as well....verrrry relaxing good or bad day.

Victor Sazer's book, 'New Directions in Cello Playing:'

"It is far better for cellists to learn from the martial arts of the Far East, which focus on balancing the body, loosening joints, relaxing muscles, using body weight rather than flexed muscles for strength, and breathing in ways to promote balance and ease." Somewhat paradoxically, strength can be achieved with a degree of looseness, balance, and ease of motion.

Lookin into various classes and types...after all If it can help with stress management and my playing it has to be a good thing... down to .75 packs a day for the 3nd day now...bought just enough papers and tobaco to last until FRI. and will not be buying more until then.