So is there a 3-month itch with nicotine like there is with alcohol? I remember that somebody telling me about that saved me a lot of grief (and maybe even my life, or someone else's). They told me that there were mileposts that for some people are just--well, challenging. And if you don't pick up, it will go away. And if you do, it will come back. That was almost 20 years ago, and I'm here to tell you, they were right. It was still "uncomfortable", to say the least. That was when I discovered the meaning of "white-knuckling", cause I was literally gripping the table till my knuckles turned white while I was talking to that person. I am soooo glad that I did, cause it gave me the reassurance that the feeling would go away. Freedombound (or is it Totemhome, I can't remember anything)

Serenity!!! I hear ya. I had the same thing happen. A beautification day helps Lots. I colored my hair...and I took a long shower...and used new shower gel. I rubed self tanner on. I had also bought those teeth whiteners. while I plucked my eyebrows I began the whitening my teeth process. (oh did I mention..bleaching my mustach?!! LOL) Then I painted my toenails..and fingernails. I put my makeup on and wore my favorite jeans...and then I headed out to do some erands. I made a special stop at this store I alwasy ment to visit. The whole thing made all the difference in the world. Mercy [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 1/21/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 41 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 837 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $183.27 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 5 [B]Hrs:[/B] 10 [B]Mins:[/B] 14 [B]Seconds:[/B] 18

Serenity, You are a beautiful person who has kicked a nasty addiction. You look wonderful, and you feel fantastic. You have inspired others to kick the habit, and we all applaud you! The gloom will pass, and sunny skies will be back again. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/14/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 16 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 491 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $77.6 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 2 [B]Hrs:[/B] 6 [B]Mins:[/B] 5 [B]Seconds:[/B] 56

Hi Serenity, Were you able to get out of the house? I sure hope so because you really need to do something that's just for you. After 27 years of marriage and three kids, I don't grudge it at all either. I have been so blessed with my family. But it did FINALLY hit me that I'm human too and need my quiet time, things that I really enjoy doing, and just those "Me" things. I need them and I deserve them. So do you. It's hard to find the time for ourselves but I know we have to. I'm still in the habit of doing for everyone else first before I sneak in that time for myself or the money to buy myself a little something. It's just so hard to break that habit of putting everyone else before me. Oh mercy, when my kids left home I grieved and hard. I was so depressed. Serenity, I was totally lost because I hadn't learned how to take that time for myself. You know, I couldn't even remember what I did enjoy BEFORE the husband and kids. How pathetic is that? I couldn't think of single thing but I knew I had a life before family at one time. LOL I just had to fly by the seat of my pants and get out there. It was the getting out there that was so hard because I was grieving so much. I finally got myself out and about and realized that it didn't take much to make me happy and it never did. But I was in the habit of doing NOTHING, ZERO for myself. Now I do those little things that mean a lot to me and are just for "Me." Doing those things makes me feel better about myself and makes me feel stronger and more independent because I had been excluding myself completely. You need to get started now. Okay? Don't find yourself grieving and depressed when your youngest child leaves home. I went through that when each one of mine left home and it was hard to come out of those blues. Please, do things for yourself now. You need those things for Serenity right now and you'll definitely need them later. You won't feel as lost as a goose in a snow storm.....like your's truly here did. Keep in touch......Serenity is important too....she matters. Making that time for yourself now will put a spring in your step, make you feel better about yourself, and give you that glow. Then later on, when the kids are on their own, you'll be prepared for it.

Serenity, I sure do know what you mean by not having anything for just "Me." My children are grown now and out on their own but, I lived ONLY for my family for 25 years. My last child left home 3 years ago. In the last 3 years, I've had to train myself to do some little something for "me" and I've had to remember to set aside time for only "me." I still put my husband first and all of those "have to's" but I make sure that I have some "me" time somewhere. Often times, it won't be much time but, at least it's getting better. It's sooo important for you to start now having your own time. And it's so important for you to buy yourself something that YOU want from time to time. It doesn't have to be something expensive but something that's special to you. Or go somewhere that YOU want to go. I say that because well, you need it for one thing but for another, it WILL hit you hard when your daughter leaves home. I was devastated when my children left home. I lived for them. So you need to start now by learning to do things and have things for Serenity. You won't feel so lost and devastated after your daughter is out on her own. When I read your original post, I sat here and thought, "She isn't doing anything for herself." I did that same thing and now that my children are out on their own, I'm still working at having that "me" time. Living for your family and never for yourself is a hard habit to break. And if you were pathetic, I was too because that cig was the only "me" thing I had going too. I fully understand what you're sayng there. Wow, look at all of those little cig breaks we had. Now we need to use that time and fill it with something we truly enjoy doing. It'll take some imagination because we are both in the habit of putting everyone else first. But, we can do it. Today, please do get out of the house. Really pamper yourself today. Okay? Reward yourself from now on at each stopping point. Serenity, you deserve it. You'll be glowing before you know it. That three month mark will be over really soon so you hang in there. Start planning a big reward for yourself right now. Okay? Hugs, Tutti [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/18/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 14 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 649 [B]

Heya Serenity, I'm sorry to hear that you're not feeling good. I'll bet you look a lot better than you're giving yourself credit for though. You know, I read your post and I wondered, "That's all good but where's the fun stuff?" If that strict regiment is all you're doing, on top of work and taking care of your daughter, you can get stuck in a rut. Are you doing anything that's strictly for fun....for YOUR pleasure? Girl, plan a fun day for yourself. You have to do some things to bring on those smiles and laughter. Thinking of you and I hope you feel better soon. Tutti [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/18/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 13 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 613 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $39 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 1 [B]Hrs:[/B] 10 [B]Mins:[/B] 39 [B]Seconds:[/B] 38

Hey Serenity - Yeppers...I do believe that you may be going through the 3 months blues. I'm glad you did your workout video...exercise has really helped me through some of those bad days. I was a little aggravated when I didn't suddenly become beautiful after I quit too (What was that all about????) This winter I've been feeling a little pale but have been resisting the urge for indoor tanning because I probably don't need to do anymore damage to my skin. I was shocked last weekend when my sister-in-law said that the first thing she noticed about me after I quit was how my "colour" changed. Apparently...I was kinda grey before?? Grey - Nobody ever told me I was grey!! You are doing amazingly well and we are preparing your place on the 100 day beach (You can tan all day with no burns and drink as much as you want with no hangovers!) 17 more days to go! Windy [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 9/11/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 173 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 3,473 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $865 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 16 [B]Hrs:[/B] 22 [B]Mins:[/B] 3 [B]Seconds:[/B] 30

Serenity - Sorry to hear you're not feeling great. Are you sure, sure, sure that you are looking like "utter poo"?!! Maybe you think that you're not looking great because you're not feeling too great at the mo, for whatever reason? Maybe the excitement of quitting has passed? I would be surprised if you weren't looking a million dollars if you've quit smoking and taken up exercise - I bet your skin must be positively glowing. However, when we are not feeling very positive about things, it is difficult to see these things. Maybe you should speak to your doctor or an alternative therapist for some extra advice. I hope that you are feeling better soon. Big hugs, Deli [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 8/1/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 213 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 3,199 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] �639 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 17 [B]Hrs:[/B] 22 [B]Mins:[/B] 39 [B]Seconds:[/B] 23

S Life is a ***** sometimes but its not from stopping smoking! Phil x [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 8/8/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 206 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 4,334 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] �1081.5 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 41 [B]Hrs:[/B] 6 [B]Mins:[/B] 37 [B]Seconds:[/B] 7

OK - so I quit quite almost 3 months ago. I exercise at least 3 times a week - whereas before I had reached the stage of doing none. I mean literally, NONE. I eat much better - I cook instead of convenience nonsense. I make big pots of good veggie soups regularly. I drink water by the gallon. I have upped my fruite and veg considerably. And I look in the mirror and I look like utter poo. It's like I am ageing just as fast - if not fatser, than when I was doing all the bad stuff. And that feels very very unfair! (Oh bless - huh?!) Last night, I was just a big ball of itch getting fed up about that. I wanted to go out, go to the gym, go swimming, do SOMETHING but I'm also a single mum, daughter had homework to do and so I sat here. Getting more and more tense. And I wanted gallons of alcohol and a chain of smokes just .....well just because this isn't FAIR! lol. Why do I not look or feel any better? S [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 12/10/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 82 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 2,879 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] �492 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 8 [B]Hrs:[/B] 11 [B]Mins:[/B] 2 [B]Seconds:[/B] 45