Smokeless in Seattle

Triple digits! That's right! I just want to thank everyone that has helped support my QUIT. I honestly believe I could not have accumulated this many days and suffered SO SURPRISING LITTLE (first week was tough- but really- after that it was manageable) without all of you. Having 100 days today has given me some confidence back, fortified my faith, already improved my health and inspired me with the reality that there are truly exceptional people in the world that make it part of their daily lif… Continue

I have been visiting the site less often lately, and am not as dependent on it to keep my quit strong-HOWEVER I had a bit of a close call last night and thought it prudent to check in for support. Some of my siblings and I are going to Vegas for my youngest brother's 40th in a few weeks. As I was booking the tickets last night, I had my very first, all-consuming and overwhelming desire to SMOKE since my quit. What???? Why now???? I guess it was the trigger? I mean- c'mon! Vegas is THE TOWN to sm… Continue

I call it a miracle because I did not believe I had the constitution to give it up. I was so sure that I would quietly and maybe (even) a little defiantly smoke until it killed me. That's becuase I rationalized that I gained more value than I was losing from smoking (can you believe that?). I romanticized smoking in my head all the time. When I thought of vacations, I thought about where my smoking spot would be. I imagined writing The Great American Novel in some paint-weathered, salty beach ho… Continue

When I had 2 days I thought, "I will feel like I am really doing this thing if I can actually make it 10 days....." Well, I am just wrapping up the 10th day, and I am reminded of something someone said once. They said, "Decisions are easy, but commitments are hard." Commitments feel and sound like "forever" to me. Forever always scared me. The thought that I will never smoke again (forever) is harder to deal with than I am a non-smoker (now). Decisions stay in the moment, feel new, real and powe… Continue

Today is my 4th day without smoking. I must admit to being a bit stunned. I have had the habit for over 30 years. For the last 15 of those 30 years, the social stigma of smoking made me go into hiding as a closet smoker. That quiet, subversive addiction to cigarettes has brought me shame, caused me embarrassment, affected my health, and made me feel like I was not in control of my own life. Admittedly, I did not go into this quitting thing with a great deal of confidence. I figured this might wo… Continue