Now 4 weeks without smoking!
Doing fine, don't want to smoke anymore. Sometimes when I have a difficult moment -which thankfully doesn't happen too often, I smell my rolling tobacco and then I'm immediately grossed out.
Man, does that stuff stink!!

But the addiction centre in my brain still rears its head from time to time. Especially last 3 days have been a tad more difficult, struggling with the oral gratification that has left the building with quitting.
And I have an oral personality so that bit is tough to deal with.
I try to stick to fruit, eating an apple, drinking water, distracting myself by doing something, or 'smoking' pencil when it's really bad (imitating smoking with a pencil).
So far that helps.

It's quite new to me to feel so adamant that I do not want to smoke anymore. Never had that before.
The only thing that could get me back to it is if I'd start putting on weight.
They say it's better to not smoke and gain a few kilos, but I feel that's utter BS.
Technically it's true, when only taking physical health into account. But if you become totally miserable and unhappy because you cannot wear the things that make you feel yourself your mental/emotional health begins to suffer.
They don't take that part into account.

In any case.... so far so good!

You are doing absolutely fine and Progress is clearly being achieved..
So when do we get to see you in that red Gypsy dress you are raving about . ????

Thank you!
I did post a photo of that last Sunday or Monday :)
But here it is. It's taken when I got home from the event.

Well, not smoking got real difficult when I got trouble with ear infection mid August.
I was in so much pain and misery that I occasionally began smoking again.
Sometimes a few puffs a day, sometimes a few cigs, sometimes smoking all day.

Since the ear infection remained an issue to date, this thing with smoking bits and pieces continued for 2,5 months too.
I did notice it. My hair began to fall out a bit again, coughing a bit, less 'air' even though I smoked much less than before.
Just having a few puffs a day had me waking up with a 'smoker's mouth' in the morning?!
I couldn't believe how much that little already does!?

Now yesterday I went to an alternative therapist as my ear is still a problem. I got the feeling my ENT doesn't know what to do anymore.
The therapist measured my entire body with special scanning material and he could tell I was smoking again.
My Kalium/Natrium balance was -75% which has to do with acidification and toxic stuff in the body.
That was confronting as smoking greatly contributes to that.

So after that I decided it had to be done with, ear infection or no.
I'm back to Step 1 patches for a while (I was at Step 2 when all that ear stuff began).
I do not want to smoke anymore, I'm certain about that, just that my body isn't fully on board with that yet, hihi.

It really is a tough addiction, pfff...
but I'm going for it again!

Does the alternative therapist have a treatment plan for you?

YAY clear pink lungs again!

I have always felt that giving up smoking is like taking a driving test...

Once or twice we might fail, but eventually we get there...

So, Good luck Crystal 🤞

yes quit tobacco, and start smoking green

Youve got this SparklingCrystal!

I Gave Up Smoking
and Took Up Pimple Popping.

Not going to lie, there will be some challenges. I quit on patches, then when I developed an adhesive rash I changed to Champix. Havent had a ciggie for over 10 years. Champix isnt for everyone....you get crazy dreams and Ive heard it can screw with your emotions. I stopped going to pubs, ate a bit extra until I swapped this with chewing gum.....but after you get through the cravings life goes back to normal. I still chew gum but there are just so many benefits, financially, healthwise, not having an anxiety attack every time youve walked out the door without your smokes! Cleaner living, healthier friends (because you tend to 'be' who you associate with). Go for it....might take a few attempts, I had 4, but dont give up.