Nicotine DOESN'T Ease The Pain

I've been nicotine-free for 312 days. I can tell you that the addiction is a strong force. Been there. Done that.

Now, many months into my life as a non-smoker, I go whole days (sometimes even many strings of days) without even thinking about smoking at all.

I can truthfully say: Nicotine does not make emotional pain easier (that's the addict talking in one's head). It hurts just as much (with or without nicotine).

If I can quit, so can others. Hang in there. Hold On. Keep Quitting. Listen to music. Talk to friends. Talk to people on the "Q" (http://quitnet.com.)

Stay clear of it. Don't start. And if you have. There's no time to quit like NOW.

307 Days into a new light, life

I've now lived more than 300 days without a cigarette. I am just past 10 months smoke-/nicotine-free.

Live hands one different things to handle at different times.

I am going through changes to my very basic self, my world, my job, my inside. And Nicotine has not been there for any of it. I'm glad to be without it. It would only make things harder.

Nicotine is not a crutch. It is a noose.

Freedom is good.

Great pain. A test. Day 297

The past few days have been a serious test for my fight against nicotine.

The pain I feel is massive, and deep. The grief is huge and unrelenting.

And yet, I've not struggled against nicotine (all but a few moments last evening).

I mourn loss, but not the loss of my old addict's buddy, nicotine.

I can make it through this without nicotine.

You can, too.

Not smoking is easier...

I've found truly that there are many things that are harder than not smoking.

Quitting takes lots of your brain when you first start - the addiction is a strong and difficult mind-altering experience.

But when you've been down the road of no-nicotine for a while, other parts of life are where your energy focuses.

Sometimes life itself is just plain harder than smoking - I'm glad I have not returned to smoking - it would make life harder.