~~She loved life and life loved her right back.~~ Unknown
I celebrated 7 years on June 4th. And the thrill of my quit is still with me. The wonder of it. The preciousness of it. I never take it for granted and I always find blessings in my quit.
This is probably why I get overly enthusiastic about quitting. My words may seem too chipper, too positive, too much for some, but it comes from the heart because I've been there. You know what I mean. That kind of 'been there' where you desperately want to quit but can't. The 'been there' where you are totally bewildered as to why everyone else can quit and you just can't. The 'been there' where you feel like an utter failure for once again quitting on your quit.
My words reflect how I feel on the other side of 'been there'. Life is so sweet, so amazing, and there is such freedom in my days. I don't have to stop to smoke. I don't have to feel that 'urge'. I don't have to roll down my window and blow the smoke outside. Freedom to do what I want. Freedom to explore my world. To try new things. To get through hard times rather than hide from them.
So I get enthusiastic because I don't want anyone to feel like they aren't worth their quit. I don't want anyone to feel like they are isolated and alone. I don't want anyone to feel like the failure I used to feel like.
Quitting gave me the freedom to love myself. To love my life. To love the world. I've had 7 years now to explore, to learn, to forgive myself for not quitting sooner. I'm good now. Even when my car burns down. Even when my heart hurts. Even when life gets hard. I'm good.
And I hope with everything I've got that you will be one day on the other side of "been there". I hope you never give up on yourself. And I hope you know you are worth it.
Sheri
