3 Smoke Free Years for Susie

"Life does go on without cigarettes."

It’s amazing to realize that on 12/01/2002 on or about 9 PM I smoked what was to be my last cigarette. I have been thinking about this milestone for at least a month. I even wanted my signature to be different to reflect the enormity of this accomplishment. I’ve thought and thought about what would be most meaningful to me and to you to know about this quit. I’ve been every which way looking for the best words, the “key” to success, how to encourage the newbies to stick with it no matter what.

I’ve looked through my old posts to see how I handled the early days because, at this point in time, the days of my first year are but a dull memory. I do remember enough to know I don’t want to repeat them, and I can tell you that it would be a big surprise to me if I were to ever smoke again.

Over the course of 3 years, I have hit most of the walls that would have caused me to revert to smoking, and I’ve managed to be Casper the Ghost and walk through the obstacles without stumbling.

This was not my first time to try quitting, but I do believe that it was the first time that I wanted to quit. When I walked in from the garage that night 3 years ago, I do clearly remember thinking, “I believe that you just had your last cigarette”.

I know that there is a lot of discussion on the forum about preparing for your quit. I think that this is an important step for many who are getting off tobacco, but for some of us it works by just diving in and being totally ignorant. There is no one way or right way to quit smoking; it is only important that you quit. I cannot tell you that I knew that I would never smoke again. However, I do know that this time all of my anger about quitting was gone. I had a peace with the process, and I knew that it was probably the best opportunity that I would ever have to become a nonsmoker.

I found this forum probably about a week into my quit, and it took me 4 weeks before I made my first post. Once I got here, I didn’t seem to be able to leave. I came here almost daily because of the humor, the friendship, the information, and the eloquence of the posters. I couldn’t imagine being quit for a year. I remember getting really excited about being quit for 3 months and still “wanting” to stay quit.

The forum was different when I first arrived. It was so much smaller; there were no dots, stars, or keys. Now I find that if I’m gone for a few days, I don’t even recognize many of the posters. That’s a good thing. It means that many are trying and that this forum is playing a key part in helping many to stay smoke-free.

I want you to know that no “oldbie” was ever happy and upbeat going through the 1st stages of the quit no matter how we look to you now. After smoking for 35 years, I can tell you that the peace comes with the process, not all at one time. I will also reiterate what I wrote to someone recently. Life does go on without cigarettes.

There are millions of people who have never smoked and those of us who finally chucked it who really do enjoy life without nicotine. Quitting tobacco is not about punishment and reward. It’s not about denial. It’s about wanting and choosing a different way to live. It’s about life without cigarettes (or any tobacco), not life without fun and friendship.

To those of you who are newer and especially to those of you who are struggling or stumbling or questioning your quit, always remember that there are those of us who have made it, and you can, too! Do not let your own quit be influenced by others. Someone else may go through the 3 month “ickies”. This does not mean that you will or have to. Others may backslide and start smoking again. This does not mean that you will or have to. You may see more forum members struggling than succeeding. Please remember that most of those with success stories leave the forum never to return or to return on a sporadic basis. This forum is successful in supporting those who want to quit.

You CAN do this!

Susie's 2 Year Smoke Free Milestone