Oh sweetie. I'm so sorry. I know aht you mean about the reward system because like you, all the things I liked to do revolved around smoking. ugh! So for me, my reward was buying books, which are cheap. I also am doing the calendar stucker thing, but for a guy that's too ghey, lol. I am trying to lose some weight, not too much but I found that I could reward myself with my favorite dish every couple of weeks once i get to that point. I think that would be a good idea for you if you can cook. I'm really trying to rack my brain here but I know how hard it is to try and find something that is cheap to do to reward yourself with. Anyway.. I hope you feel better tongiht after you get home. Maybe that itself will feel like a bit of a reward. Good luck sweetie.

Glad that I'm not the only one venting in here. You are welcome to come to my pity party....gonna is going to provide the entertainment (I think it has something to with a bikini and suede boots...or maybe that was Marie) AND there won't be any smoking! I plan on feeling sorry for myself although with gonna around I'll probably be forced to crack a smile or two. I'm with you too...all my rewards involved smoking too. When people say go to the gym or eat candy or drink nice tea, I think ...but HEY!!! I WANT A REALLY BIG REWARD!!! so........for now my rewards are not quite so mighty fine (but i actually do look forward to my green tea at night, a good book and GOD FORBID the gym) I figure the BIG reward will be when I can go the rest of my life smoke free. It's going to be baby steps.....no booze for awhile, then a glass of wine....and then I'm going to have a HUGE big party. Wishing you the best...and (perhaps when my brain is fully functioning again) I will have some great reward suggestions! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 9/11/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 12 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 258 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $60 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 1 [B]Hrs:[/B] 5 [B]Mins:[/B] 22 [B]Seconds:[/B] 17

Very wise, Crush - let it all out here, and as soon as that has happenend - along side with reading all the gorgeous messages from people who really care, sending you off into floods of tears, makes you feel better - you're better equipped with carrying on the journey! Keep close to your computer for a while, I found this little sanctuary invaluable. Best wishes, Deli [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 8/1/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 53 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 808 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] �159 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 4 [B]Hrs:[/B] 8 [B]Mins:[/B] 5 [B]Seconds:[/B] 25

Let me preface this message with the fact I'm not planning on going back to smoking, this isn't an excuse for me to start again. I just need to vent. I realized the other day that I have been completely miserable since I quit smoking. Now quitting isn't the main reason for my low feelings, but it's indirectly a big part of it. My situation in a nutshell is I'm graduating college in December, which is great but it's a huge change, and I also need to save up $$$ like crazy right. Combine that with my staying away from smokers (which 100% of my friends happen to be)and crush becomes a hermit. so no money, and pretty much no friends means no outlet. Between work and school my stress level is really high and something has to give. I can't spend the next 3 months like this. I do not have a good reward system in place for the simple reason most of my stress relief before involved some activity I did when smoking. To be honest I don't really know what activities I could do that would be a good reward. I don't like taking walks, and the no money kills a lot of my ideas. I'm not looking for suggestions, or really any kinda feedback. If you feel you have something to say I will be happy to read it, but I really only posted this because I need to let some of this out, not because I was looking for help. so thanks for letting me vent. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 9/4/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 19 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 436 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $66.5 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 2 [B]Hrs:[/B] 6 [B]Mins:[/B] 55 [B]Seconds:[/B] 7

Crush, I hear you, sending good vibes your way. Maybe Windy will invite us to her party who knows!!! Take care, one day at a time :)Marie [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 6/13/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 103 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,545 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $412 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 13 [B]Hrs:[/B] 14 [B]Mins:[/B] 1 [B]Seconds:[/B] 23

Quitting smoking without changing other aspects of our life makes quitting much more difficult. Rewards and physical activity aids in mood management which in turn aids us in our 'quit smoking' endeavor. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/12/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 135 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 4,065 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $540 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 11 [B]Hrs:[/B] 9 [B]Mins:[/B] 34 [B]Seconds:[/B] 54

Hi, Crush. You did good to post a vent. That's what this place is for. However, some of us just can't let a good vent pass uncommented on. :) I know it seems like forever since you quit and the thought of 3 months more is unbearable. Been there, felt that. As your quit matures you will be able to "venture out" into situations you used to experience. You won't be a hermit for 3 months. In fact, I encourage you to do so, but with cautions. First, you must wait until you feel confident enough in your control over yourself. Don't worry about whether or not you can do something because until you try, you won't know. But you must be confident that you will be able to walk away (or run) from a situation if temptation is getting to great. Once you do venture out, act like you are crossing a mine field. That's a great analogy of what you will be doing. It's the one you don't see that gets you. Try watching ahead a minute or two for a time that you would have normally lit up. When you see one coming, brace yourself for the mother of all craves. Be ready for battle. I'm guessing if it does arrive it will be rather wimpy and you'll get past it easily. If at all possible, have a designated "back watcher". This is a person, preferrably a non-smoker, who will keep an eye on you and drag you out of a situation if necessary. You really are doing a great job, Crush. Congratulations on 19 smoke-free days. Shevie [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/23/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 488 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 9,778 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1854.4 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 91 [B]Hrs:[/B] 3 [B]Mins:[/B] 24 [B]Seconds:[/B] 19

Vent away, Crush. There are lots of ears here and lots of shoulders to lean on. Sometimes just writing things down can put things in perspective. I went through much of the same misery after I quit...it seemed like a chemical thing for me. A lot of us experience that, so you're not alone. Rusty :) [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 12/13/2004 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 649 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 18,195 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $2271.5 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 89 [B]Hrs:[/B] 9 [B]Mins:[/B] 26 [B]Seconds:[/B] 56

Crush, We are always here to listen so vent away! You are strong and this will pass :) Take what you need from the advice above and keep it close. Keep Strong, Josie _____________________ The SSC Support Team.