Lainey That was fantastic! Thank you. So very true it all is. I am almost at acceptance. I can actually get through a day now without screaming at someone and I can actually get through most of the day without thinking about the cigs. One day i hope to be at a point where i don't think about them at all (if that is possible). I do know that it does feel great to be a non smoker and not have to worry about where the next cig is coming from, do i need to run to the store in the middle of the night. I don't have to listen to my husband and my kids say, you need to quit. It still want one and I probably always will to a point, but i can say no without a second glance now. QUITTING IS SO WORTH IT! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]3/1/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 132 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 3,300 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $660.00 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 14 [B]Hrs:[/B] 1 [B]Mins:[/B] 2 [B]Seconds:[/B] 32

Awesome post Lainey! I will say that while it's DEFINITELY true that we go through all of these phases when quitting, I also believe that we can go backwards and forwards through some of them and may have to go through some of these phases more than once. I hit acceptance, but then went back to depression, then back to bargaining, then back to depression (after my last slip) and then finally to acceptance where I am most definitely at today. So just because we may be through one stage doesn't mean that we can't go back through it at another time. But it is definitely true that no matter what order we do it in or what stages we have to repeat, I do believe that everybody gets to acceptance one day and will stay there! Again, I think this is a really great post - one that should be bumped over and over and over! :) Crave the Quit! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]6/17/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 754 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 18,850 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $3,114.02 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 53 [B]Hrs:[/B] 4 [B]Mins:[/B] 52 [B]Seconds:[/B] 38

Well, I'm not quite at acceptance yet, but it feels close! :) [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]3/6/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 127 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 3,175 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1,174.75 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 20 [B]Hrs:[/B] 11 [B]Mins:[/B] 48 [B]Seconds:[/B] 2

lainey, Great insight! A great read and many good points :) Take it day by day and realize the positive aspects that come with the quit, keep pushing forward and learn from the knowledge and support provided :) Josie, Support Specialist

[font=Comic Sans MS]Great post Lainey!!!! :) I kept thinking to myself I've heard/read about this before now I remember Oprah was talking about it on her show maybe last yr. [/font] [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]1/3/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 189 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 3,780 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $567.00 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 18 [B]Hrs:[/B] 10 [B]Mins:[/B] 30 [B]Seconds:[/B] 17

Good post Lainey!! Is there more (a site or a book)? [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]3/15/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 118 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 2,360 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $495.60 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 19 [B]Hrs:[/B] 0 [B]Mins:[/B] 54 [B]Seconds:[/B] 19

Thank you very much Lainey for such a post!!!! I can agree with all five stages from the last time I quit, which was for 1 full year. Those stages are very true and very real. Thank you for finding it and posting it here!!!!

A book called "On Death & Dying" by Elizabeth Kubler-Ross identifies the five phases which a dying person encounters. These five stages are also said to be the exact stages felt by those mourning the loss of a loved one. What's that got to do with us? People who quit smoking also go through the five phases. They are; Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance. Don't believe it? Read on. Denial: "Smoking wasn't so bad. It wasn't hurting me so much. I could probably have just one." The most dangerous stage, in which many quits are lost. If we can get past these lies, we are on to... Anger: "Arrrggggg" Everyone avoids you, the fuse is so very short, we all know this one, where we are generally no fun at all. Even your boss avoids you. But most smokers seem to get past this one. Bargaining: This is also a dangerous one. "I'll just sneak this one and no one will ever know" or "I can have just one puff and I can go back to quitting." or "Just one won't hurt"......(This is the second place that many quits have been lost.) Depression usually follows, if you get past the bargaining stage without smoking. You should be excited now because you are starting to realize you have probably quit for good, but you feel like you're not your old self, or you have lost your best friend. At this point "one day at a time" is so important as it may actually save your life, because tomorrow, could bring acceptance. Once you reach acceptance, you get the true perspective of what smoking has done to you and what not smoking can do for you. Usually within two weeks of this the addiction is broken, and the stages are overcome. Life becomes much simpler, happier, and more manageable as a non smoker. Your self esteem is boosted greatly. You realize the state of freedom you have obtained. All smokers go through these phases, at their own indiviual pace. Anyone can break the addiction and beat the phases. All you have to remember is 'Not One Puff Ever!' SOUND FAMILIAR? I found this today in my searching and realized what a great piece of information this is! What is so great about it, is that all the crap that you feel or worry about or think is just you, well it is a phase and it will pass! Smoking is not an option NOPE! :) [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]3/5/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 128 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 3,200 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1,350.40 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 15 [B]Hrs:[/B] 14 [B]Mins:[/B] 47 [B]Seconds:[/B] 59