Twelve Years!

What's happened to this group??? Activity is down to almost nothing! It's down about 75% from just two years ago, and 90% down from six years ago:

http://groups.google.com/group/alt.support.stop-smoking/about

I hope this group doesn't die out completely, as just knowing it's here reassures me.

Anyway, I'm briefly back for my "anniversary post," one of _my_ traditions to remind myself. June 21, 2011 marks twelve years quit for me. After the first couple of years, staying quit takes hardly any effort, as the new habits have replaced the old ones. (Actually it starts getting easier at about the three-week point.) Maybe two or three times a year, I notice someone smoking, and then I remember that I used to smoke too. My next thought is almost always wondering why I was stupid enough to smoke in the first place, since it doesn't get me anything. Some other abused substances at least have temporary benefits, but I can't think of any for smoking.

A lot can happen in twelve years, smoking or not, and in my case so many things have happened so that I'm no longer the same person that I was when I originally quit. I don't suppose anybody would be the same after twelve years. One of the few things that hasn't changed is that I don't smoke any more -- or, as I like to say, I don't _have_to_ smoke any more. And with everything that's gone on in my life since then, it's obvious that smoking wouldn't have improved any of it.

Most of my "wisdom," such as it is, is contained in my milestone speeches, so I'm reposting my OF, OOF, and TOF speeches here in the hope they'll be helpful to some of you. If "twelve years" sounds unbelievable, well, I went through the same things you are or were going through; I just started earlier, that's all.

Adam, TOF+ (12Y)
http://www.quitbuddies.org/Buddies26.html#anchor6696

Quit meter: Abandoned long ago, but when I quit 144 months ago I was smoking about 1000/month (35/day) and spending about $100/month on it, at the 1999 price of US $1.90 for a pack of 20.
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Email: adam seven zero seven AT verizon DOT net
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Relevant Pages

  • Re: 3 Years tonight
    ... But you aren't smoking over it. ... I have had no desire to smoke. ... Tonight I hit 3 years quit. ... least in control enough of myself to determine when I built my house I'd ...
    (alt.support.stop-smoking)
  • Re: My first year of freedom and healing
    ... it's wonderful to realise how great life without smoking can be and so ... How dare anyone lecture me about smoking? ... I remember the burning sensation when the smoke got into my eyes and being ... hope that they will help me to quit smoking. ...
    (alt.support.stop-smoking)
  • Re: *Article: 10 Things To Avoid When You Quit Smoking
    ... > The Proper Care and Feeding of A Healthy Quit Program ... The natural tendency is to quit smoking and expect to ... Cessation just doesn't work like that. ... and put some time between you and that last smoke. ...
    (alt.support.stop-smoking)
  • Re: 3 Years tonight
    ... I have had no desire to smoke. ... Smoking is not only ... Tonight I hit 3 years quit. ... least in control enough of myself to determine when I built my house I'd ...
    (alt.support.stop-smoking)
  • From the AS3 & AQSS Archives: The Secrets To Quitting
    ... I have attempted to quit 8 times before so I think I have some experience at it. ... You need to say one day that you are no longer a smoker and smoking is not an option for you and then do whatever it takes to not smoke. ...
    (alt.support.stop-smoking)