Hi! If you don't know me, I am the one who writes those "feel good" blogs. Love yourself, fluff the tutu, and dance through life. I usually leave the education piece of quitting to others who do such a good job....Thomas, Dale, Sootie, Guilia....you know them, too. They know what they're talking about and they know how to quit.
Believe it or not, so do I. Underneath the blowing bubbles in the car, underneath the yoga, underneath the joy of life, I know how to quit.
I understand addiction because I educated myself. I know how the neurotransmitters fire from one synape to a receptor. I understand the release of serotonin and dopamine...the "feel good" neurotransmitters and I know how the brain reacts when you quit smoking. I know what the body goes through and I know about the mood swings, the overwhelming of emotions, and the reasons for the weight gain.
Underneath it all, I read. I gained knowledge. I learned. And 866 days ago, I quit cold turkey and never looked back. I was prepared and I did it.
I read the blogs of the newbies and elders now and I know. I know who understands addiction, who had done the reading, and who will struggle unnecessarily. Not being harsh but I say unnecessarily because if you educate yourself on addiction, if you read about quitting, if you learn what your body goes through and WHY, you will feel much more comfortable in your quit. Rather than wonder why you are depressed, you will already know. Rather than wonder why a hard craving hit, you will recognize why. You can come here and ask why, of course. Plenty of people are willing to educate you. Or you can learn all this even before your quit date.
So, underneath the happiness of my blogs, I understand addiction and quitting. And that's why I dance. And that's why I sing. And that's why I find joy in everything. Because it eased my quitting symptoms and makes me feel good no matter what else is going on.
Please don't dismiss the knowledge on this site. Please don't think you don't need it. "Please don't think you can "just quit". You may be able to but you may then struggle unnecessarily. Don't just ask what's going on....read and know and understand your quit.
That's all. I just needed to say that. Have a blessed day, my friends! Sheri
