My good cave

[iquitchewing]

I had a long discussion with my wife about the loss I feel.  I believe KTC filled that void early in quitting, but as our quits become more secure KTC does less to fill that void.  Some of the activities I've been using are: exercise (I didn't gain quitting but was fat to begin with),  sex (for decades I passed up intimacy with my wife to spend time dipping).  T-Cell hit on an important point.  3/4 of my life and all of my adult life has been RULED by nicotine!
I appreciate all the thoughts. 
Stepping back into my cave I found this post, basically the same subject.

Time to move on

My friend Mark has helped me see that I had much more than nicotine to give up!  At a time when the nic bitch was placing those thoughts of doubt into my head and I had been dwelling on the past and feeling sorry for myself, my friend said "quit crying over spilled milk".  Well last night I reevaluated my life, the things that I was using as excuses to chew, the thing that were hang-ups slowing my advancing in life and things that I have allowed to make me depressed. I took these people and thing that were holding me back and figuratively flushed them down the same toilet which I had flushed those last 3 cans of chew down 25 days ago.  Now I can go forward and my weaknesses are going to become my strengths.  I will rely on God, myself and you my quit friends, to move on.  I'm here to give you a hand when you are weak, and will come to you when I'm weak. This is such a simple concept.

This may sound childish and stupid but I will share it anyway.

Ever since I quit I felt this void at night after the kids were in bed or when I was home by myself.

I bought myself a tablet...a kindle fire to be exact. The think has been a life saver. I read books on it, play stupid little games on it either by myself or against others on line, listen to music, look up plays and drill for my youth basketball team, etc...

I cannot tell you how many games of pool I shot on that thing, or how many games of words with friends, or Song Pop I have played. I also actually read a few books, I've never been a book guy.

Point is I used to look forward to sneaking out and getting a dip in. Now I look forward to playing doodle jump, hill climb racing, bubble blast, etc.

Again, not sure if this will help you but maybe it will give you a good chuckle?

Wt57,
You can reach a lot of your personal goals...just like you "became" quit. You see, change is not an event, it is a process. Little steps and we can proceed to our goals.
You are a badass quitter and YOU know this. I don't care what you weigh, what education you don't have or where the fuck you live. You my friend have INSPIRED me with your posts. When I see Wt57 I see quit woodie all the way.
Now, we decided to take this path. We know it is a great path for us. Get on the path, stay on the path so I can find my way! 'bang head'

What 30 said X 2. Since we are similar age I have read your posts and taken your advice to heart. You have a impact on others who don't always give back input. Thank you.

The amount of honesty, wisdom and common sense in this group is helping my quit and good for my soul.

[Diesel2112]

(I'm slow).

.....happens with old age....

Just wait!

'tease' shocker

KA-POW.....WT....in the house....its called MASSIVE ACTION....

Nothing starts without a decision my brother......

LOVE THIS

Roam!

Stop picking on Wade. He has a tractor to drive and you have a truck to go break down. Besides, we don't know how much more his ticker can take.





:P

Wedge, is it just me or does your name sometimes read "Wedgie" and other times "Wedge"? I hope so, or I'm losing it like people WT's age...

[Wedge]

(I'm slow).

.....happens with old age....

Just wait!

'tease' shocker

KA-POW.....WT....in the house....its called MASSIVE ACTION....

Nothing starts without a decision my brother......

LOVE THIS

Roam!

Stop picking on Wade. He has a tractor to drive and you have a truck to go break down. Besides, we don't know how much more his ticker can take.





:P

[CleanFuel]

(I'm slow).

.....happens with old age....

Just wait!

'tease' shocker

KA-POW.....WT....in the house....its called MASSIVE ACTION....

Nothing starts without a decision my brother......

LOVE THIS

[Roamcountry]

(I'm slow).

.....happens with old age....

Just wait!

'tease' shocker

[Wt57]

(I'm slow).

.....happens with old age....

Just wait!

[Roamcountry]

(I'm slow).

.....happens with old age....

[Wt57]

Tonight I had one of those ah-ha moments! While reading the post from 'Bencodie' in which he describes his plan to tapper off before quitting. That was my plan. Well that was a bullshit addict tactic of postponing a quit till a reason to continue came along. We all used the various methods of keeping a hold on our addiction.

Now my ah-ha moment! (I'm slow). I approach every vise and aspect in my life that I need to tackle (in order to move on) in this same flawed manner. I'm not sure if it is a way of hanging on, avoidance, fear of change or fear of failure. I spend time analyzing and planning but never get around to actually doing it.

DO IT!

Damn that's what I did on April 1, 12. I quit nicotine. Everyday I repeat. Now it's time to "do it" to other things!

"JUST DO IT"

[omahaflyer]

I had a long discussion with my wife about the loss I feel.  I believe KTC filled that void early in quitting, but as our quits become more secure KTC does less to fill that void.  Some of the activities I've been using are: exercise (I didn't gain quitting but was fat to begin with),  sex (for decades I passed up intimacy with my wife to spend time dipping).  T-Cell hit on an important point.  3/4 of my life and all of my adult life has been RULED by nicotine!
I appreciate all the thoughts. 
Stepping back into my cave I found this post, basically the same subject.

Time to move on

My friend Mark has helped me see that I had much more than nicotine to give up!  At a time when the nic bitch was placing those thoughts of doubt into my head and I had been dwelling on the past and feeling sorry for myself, my friend said "quit crying over spilled milk".  Well last night I reevaluated my life, the things that I was using as excuses to chew, the thing that were hang-ups slowing my advancing in life and things that I have allowed to make me depressed. I took these people and thing that were holding me back and figuratively flushed them down the same toilet which I had flushed those last 3 cans of chew down 25 days ago.  Now I can go forward and my weaknesses are going to become my strengths.  I will rely on God, myself and you my quit friends, to move on.  I'm here to give you a hand when you are weak, and will come to you when I'm weak. This is such a simple concept.

This may sound childish and stupid but I will share it anyway.

Ever since I quit I felt this void at night after the kids were in bed or when I was home by myself.

I bought myself a tablet...a kindle fire to be exact. The think has been a life saver. I read books on it, play stupid little games on it either by myself or against others on line, listen to music, look up plays and drill for my youth basketball team, etc...

I cannot tell you how many games of pool I shot on that thing, or how many games of words with friends, or Song Pop I have played. I also actually read a few books, I've never been a book guy.

Point is I used to look forward to sneaking out and getting a dip in. Now I look forward to playing doodle jump, hill climb racing, bubble blast, etc.

Again, not sure if this will help you but maybe it will give you a good chuckle?

Wt57,
You can reach a lot of your personal goals...just like you "became" quit. You see, change is not an event, it is a process. Little steps and we can proceed to our goals.
You are a badass quitter and YOU know this. I don't care what you weigh, what education you don't have or where the fuck you live. You my friend have INSPIRED me with your posts. When I see Wt57 I see quit woodie all the way.
Now, we decided to take this path. We know it is a great path for us. Get on the path, stay on the path so I can find my way! 'bang head'

What 30 said X 2. Since we are similar age I have read your posts and taken your advice to heart. You have a impact on others who don't always give back input. Thank you.

[30isEnuff]

I had a long discussion with my wife about the loss I feel.  I believe KTC filled that void early in quitting, but as our quits become more secure KTC does less to fill that void.  Some of the activities I've been using are: exercise (I didn't gain quitting but was fat to begin with),  sex (for decades I passed up intimacy with my wife to spend time dipping).  T-Cell hit on an important point.  3/4 of my life and all of my adult life has been RULED by nicotine!
I appreciate all the thoughts. 
Stepping back into my cave I found this post, basically the same subject.

Time to move on

My friend Mark has helped me see that I had much more than nicotine to give up!  At a time when the nic bitch was placing those thoughts of doubt into my head and I had been dwelling on the past and feeling sorry for myself, my friend said "quit crying over spilled milk".  Well last night I reevaluated my life, the things that I was using as excuses to chew, the thing that were hang-ups slowing my advancing in life and things that I have allowed to make me depressed. I took these people and thing that were holding me back and figuratively flushed them down the same toilet which I had flushed those last 3 cans of chew down 25 days ago.  Now I can go forward and my weaknesses are going to become my strengths.  I will rely on God, myself and you my quit friends, to move on.  I'm here to give you a hand when you are weak, and will come to you when I'm weak. This is such a simple concept.

This may sound childish and stupid but I will share it anyway.

Ever since I quit I felt this void at night after the kids were in bed or when I was home by myself.

I bought myself a tablet...a kindle fire to be exact. The think has been a life saver. I read books on it, play stupid little games on it either by myself or against others on line, listen to music, look up plays and drill for my youth basketball team, etc...

I cannot tell you how many games of pool I shot on that thing, or how many games of words with friends, or Song Pop I have played. I also actually read a few books, I've never been a book guy.

Point is I used to look forward to sneaking out and getting a dip in. Now I look forward to playing doodle jump, hill climb racing, bubble blast, etc.

Again, not sure if this will help you but maybe it will give you a good chuckle?

Wt57,
You can reach a lot of your personal goals...just like you "became" quit. You see, change is not an event, it is a process. Little steps and we can proceed to our goals.
You are a badass quitter and YOU know this. I don't care what you weigh, what education you don't have or where the fuck you live. You my friend have INSPIRED me with your posts. When I see Wt57 I see quit woodie all the way.
Now, we decided to take this path. We know it is a great path for us. Get on the path, stay on the path so I can find my way! 'bang head'

[Diesel2112]

I had a long discussion with my wife about the loss I feel. I believe KTC filled that void early in quitting, but as our quits become more secure KTC does less to fill that void. Some of the activities I've been using are: exercise (I didn't gain quitting but was fat to begin with), sex (for decades I passed up intimacy with my wife to spend time dipping). T-Cell hit on an important point. 3/4 of my life and all of my adult life has been RULED by nicotine!
I appreciate all the thoughts.
Stepping back into my cave I found this post, basically the same subject.

Time to move on

My friend Mark has helped me see that I had much more than nicotine to give up!  At a time when the nic bitch was placing those thoughts of doubt into my head and I had been dwelling on the past and feeling sorry for myself, my friend said "quit crying over spilled milk".  Well last night I reevaluated my life, the things that I was using as excuses to chew, the thing that were hang-ups slowing my advancing in life and things that I have allowed to make me depressed. I took these people and thing that were holding me back and figuratively flushed them down the same toilet which I had flushed those last 3 cans of chew down 25 days ago.  Now I can go forward and my weaknesses are going to become my strengths.  I will rely on God, myself and you my quit friends, to move on.  I'm here to give you a hand when you are weak, and will come to you when I'm weak. This is such a simple concept.

This may sound childish and stupid but I will share it anyway.

Ever since I quit I felt this void at night after the kids were in bed or when I was home by myself.

I bought myself a tablet...a kindle fire to be exact. The think has been a life saver. I read books on it, play stupid little games on it either by myself or against others on line, listen to music, look up plays and drill for my youth basketball team, etc...

I cannot tell you how many games of pool I shot on that thing, or how many games of words with friends, or Song Pop I have played. I also actually read a few books, I've never been a book guy.

Point is I used to look forward to sneaking out and getting a dip in. Now I look forward to playing doodle jump, hill climb racing, bubble blast, etc.

Again, not sure if this will help you but maybe it will give you a good chuckle?

[wastepanel]

I had a long discussion with my wife about the loss I feel. I believe KTC filled that void early in quitting, but as our quits become more secure KTC does less to fill that void. Some of the activities I've been using are: exercise (I didn't gain quitting but was fat to begin with), sex (for decades I passed up intimacy with my wife to spend time dipping). T-Cell hit on an important point. 3/4 of my life and all of my adult life has been RULED by nicotine!
I appreciate all the thoughts.

You will not slip into vices.

You control your actions like you control your quit.

That void you feel can be filled with hundreds of thousands of things you've always wanted to do in your life. Remember when just thinking "I want to be quit" seemed like a pipe dream, but now look at you. You are a badass motherfucker of quit, and you do what you want to do. You control this. Not us. Not some cancer weed. You.

I'm very proud of you. Very proud.

[iquitchewing]

Seasoned quitters I have a question.  I haven't had a crave in many weeks.  I have had some minor ups and downs (funks).  Haven't really thought about long term quitting, pretty much I've accepted the fact that I'm in this for the long term of quitting 1 day at a time.  Now my dilemma:  I feel a loss.  That portion of my life that ruled for 40 years is gone and has left a huge hole in my life.  How do we replace that loss?  I've had problems with other vises and am very frightened that one of the other less savory activities may replace my nicotine use if I'm not very cautious.  I would guess that this is not unusual but I haven't seen a lot about it.  Sure we have seen many of us that after making progress on nicotine find we have other issues we have a desire to quit or cut back on.  I feel like a little boy that lost his security blanket and can't seem to replace it.  (It feels like I had that blanket till high school and I'm too old to trade it for a tricycle). I suspect that this loss and failure to fill it is the cause of many caves.  Damn it seems hard to teach an old dog new tricks!

Don't worry you'll still get craves too 'bang head'

I've been craving like a mofo for the past week. No idea why, it just came on suddenly. Good thing I still have some hooch around, been chewing that again.

I filled my void with extra crappy food and now I have to diet again. It's going well, I'm down 6 pounds in the past 2 weeks. Slow and steady wins the race.

Have to agree with Kubrick. I am following the both of you and every once in ahwile I get that wave of asking myself "What that F*ck as I could go for one right now". But I always turn to Hooch, the big bag of seeds and in 30 minutes the wave passes.

Wt - for me I have taken up a few projects. Of course #1 is losing the weight so have been exercising more, even the little stuff as just got one of those bicycle pedals that people use for rehab. I think it works well when I am not on a chair with wheels. #2 is I find myself reading more often, just picking up a new book or my new kindle fire to enjoy. And #3 my big project for the next couple of months is putting all of the audio cassettes that the wife and I have onto CD's. Mainly to save the space here but wow I never remembered how much good stuff I had....

I guess what I am saying is try to pick something like a new hobby that you like to do in order to fill that void.

And am glad and honored to stand beside you in this day to day fight.

I know what you are feeling Wt. That crap used to be such a big part of our lives. For me, it was almost like I couldn't function without it. I know that I am still discovering new strengths everyday though. I think that will never stop. It is truly amazing to realize how strong we really are.

Concerning the hole you see in your life now, I feel that too sometimes. What I try to do is, and I say try, because I still have trouble keeping motivated, is to just try new things and make each day count. There are all sorts of new things that I think I would have never experienced had I still been using chewing tobacco. Really, that stuff was holding us back. I say we fill that hole in our lives with new experiences each. Make these days count, because we never get them back. Keep up the badass quitting and sorry for the rant.

Wt57, You're now a different person without the nic. You can now dive deeper into what you're already doing: family, job, friends, voluteering, whatever floats your boat. Without nic, we are more alive, more in tune with reality. Fill the hole with "more" of who you really are. If the hole is too big, then fill it with daily unselfish acts.
Cheers brother! 'bang head'

For what it is worth WT. I haven't had cravings since the day 80s, but I do continue to have the "hole" or that "somethings missing" issue. I remain active on this site to remind myself of my quit commitment daily, not because I'm craving like a mofo.
For folks like you and I that have chewed for more than 1/2 our lives, there is no before picture. We never were tobaco-free functioning adults before, we started getting chemically altered when we were kids.
Try some new things, do the things you love more. I'm guessing we will reach an equilibrium after a couple more years of quit. This is just a guess, I figure it takes time to re-wire my brain chemically after that many years of abuse.

Yesterday i craved something fierce.. If I had fake I would've used it. I was real close to grabbing the coffee can.. I haven't had any craves in months, and this one sucked. maybe because I've been thinking about the 6 mo mark? I feel the emptiness as well. some days more than others. You're not alone, and we'll get through this together. Today's a new day, and I'm quit.
179-0 the bitch can kiss my ass..

This stuff is EXACTLY what I need to read today, and is helping me to stay quit on my 36th day. I'm so glad you are posting about these aspects of chewing cessation.

[Wt57]

I had a long discussion with my wife about the loss I feel. I believe KTC filled that void early in quitting, but as our quits become more secure KTC does less to fill that void. Some of the activities I've been using are: exercise (I didn't gain quitting but was fat to begin with), sex (for decades I passed up intimacy with my wife to spend time dipping). T-Cell hit on an important point. 3/4 of my life and all of my adult life has been RULED by nicotine!
I appreciate all the thoughts.
Stepping back into my cave I found this post, basically the same subject.

Time to move on

My friend Mark has helped me see that I had much more than nicotine to give up!  At a time when the nic bitch was placing those thoughts of doubt into my head and I had been dwelling on the past and feeling sorry for myself, my friend said "quit crying over spilled milk".  Well last night I reevaluated my life, the things that I was using as excuses to chew, the thing that were hang-ups slowing my advancing in life and things that I have allowed to make me depressed. I took these people and thing that were holding me back and figuratively flushed them down the same toilet which I had flushed those last 3 cans of chew down 25 days ago.  Now I can go forward and my weaknesses are going to become my strengths.  I will rely on God, myself and you my quit friends, to move on.  I'm here to give you a hand when you are weak, and will come to you when I'm weak. This is such a simple concept.

.

Now it's time to move on and learn to live--

[kana]

Seasoned quitters I have a question.  I haven't had a crave in many weeks.  I have had some minor ups and downs (funks).  Haven't really thought about long term quitting, pretty much I've accepted the fact that I'm in this for the long term of quitting 1 day at a time.  Now my dilemma:  I feel a loss.  That portion of my life that ruled for 40 years is gone and has left a huge hole in my life.  How do we replace that loss?  I've had problems with other vises and am very frightened that one of the other less savory activities may replace my nicotine use if I'm not very cautious.  I would guess that this is not unusual but I haven't seen a lot about it.  Sure we have seen many of us that after making progress on nicotine find we have other issues we have a desire to quit or cut back on.  I feel like a little boy that lost his security blanket and can't seem to replace it.  (It feels like I had that blanket till high school and I'm too old to trade it for a tricycle). I suspect that this loss and failure to fill it is the cause of many caves.  Damn it seems hard to teach an old dog new tricks!

Don't worry you'll still get craves too 'bang head'

I've been craving like a mofo for the past week. No idea why, it just came on suddenly. Good thing I still have some hooch around, been chewing that again.

I filled my void with extra crappy food and now I have to diet again. It's going well, I'm down 6 pounds in the past 2 weeks. Slow and steady wins the race.

Have to agree with Kubrick. I am following the both of you and every once in ahwile I get that wave of asking myself "What that F*ck as I could go for one right now". But I always turn to Hooch, the big bag of seeds and in 30 minutes the wave passes.

Wt - for me I have taken up a few projects. Of course #1 is losing the weight so have been exercising more, even the little stuff as just got one of those bicycle pedals that people use for rehab. I think it works well when I am not on a chair with wheels. #2 is I find myself reading more often, just picking up a new book or my new kindle fire to enjoy. And #3 my big project for the next couple of months is putting all of the audio cassettes that the wife and I have onto CD's. Mainly to save the space here but wow I never remembered how much good stuff I had....

I guess what I am saying is try to pick something like a new hobby that you like to do in order to fill that void.

And am glad and honored to stand beside you in this day to day fight.

I know what you are feeling Wt. That crap used to be such a big part of our lives. For me, it was almost like I couldn't function without it. I know that I am still discovering new strengths everyday though. I think that will never stop. It is truly amazing to realize how strong we really are.

Concerning the hole you see in your life now, I feel that too sometimes. What I try to do is, and I say try, because I still have trouble keeping motivated, is to just try new things and make each day count. There are all sorts of new things that I think I would have never experienced had I still been using chewing tobacco. Really, that stuff was holding us back. I say we fill that hole in our lives with new experiences each. Make these days count, because we never get them back. Keep up the badass quitting and sorry for the rant.

Wt57, You're now a different person without the nic. You can now dive deeper into what you're already doing: family, job, friends, voluteering, whatever floats your boat. Without nic, we are more alive, more in tune with reality. Fill the hole with "more" of who you really are. If the hole is too big, then fill it with daily unselfish acts.
Cheers brother! 'bang head'

For what it is worth WT. I haven't had cravings since the day 80s, but I do continue to have the "hole" or that "somethings missing" issue. I remain active on this site to remind myself of my quit commitment daily, not because I'm craving like a mofo.
For folks like you and I that have chewed for more than 1/2 our lives, there is no before picture. We never were tobaco-free functioning adults before, we started getting chemically altered when we were kids.
Try some new things, do the things you love more. I'm guessing we will reach an equilibrium after a couple more years of quit. This is just a guess, I figure it takes time to re-wire my brain chemically after that many years of abuse.

Yesterday i craved something fierce.. If I had fake I would've used it. I was real close to grabbing the coffee can.. I haven't had any craves in months, and this one sucked. maybe because I've been thinking about the 6 mo mark? I feel the emptiness as well. some days more than others. You're not alone, and we'll get through this together. Today's a new day, and I'm quit.
179-0 the bitch can kiss my ass..