As addicts we have to convince ourselves that we need to stop doing that which is bad for us. Because, we really don’t want to have to stop the thing that SEEMS to make us feel good. Shows you the nature of the sickness. If you weren’t addicted, you wouldn’t have to try to convince yourself to stop killing yourself.
Don’t think you’re addicted? Here’s an addiction test for those still smoking. Real simple: Wake up. Have a cup of coffee without your cigarette. Or whatever it is you do first thing in the morning with a cigarette - do it without a cigarette. How hard is that? Did you manage it, but are you thinking about nothing else ‘cept when you can finally have one? That’s addiction. It’s ok. You CAN conquer it. Millions of us have.
We make all these lists about “My reasons to quit:” why we shouldn’t smoke, why we should stop, about all the benefits of not smoking, of why we want to be free..., etc., etc. I don’t know about you, but when I made those lists when I was getting ready to quit, they were simply ways of trying convince myself of why I SHOULD. Ultimately those lists weren’t particularly helpful to me. If they are for you - GREAT. Keep makin’ ‘em! But if not, read on.
Where are the other lists? Is yours a commitment, a promise? - or simply a hope, a dream, a wish, a “trying?” You can’t walk into this struggle without preparation. Quitting is life changing, make no mistake. You have to dedicate your time and energy to it. It doesn’t happen by itself. Don’t be afraid of that. It’s GOOD for you!! Lol. Makes you stronger than you ever thought possible! So you need to ask some serious questions of yourself.
Like: What is it going to cost me emotionally to quit and what am I willing to undergo in that process? Here are some of the in-depth questions I think you need to ask yourself when you’re getting your head into quit mode. A strong preparation will help ensure a long-lasting quit. And if you’ve already quit, you still need to continue to answer these questions for yourself and come up with news ones. Because the process takes maintenance.
Ask these of yourself and then make your own:
*What will it take for me to be free? What am I willing to do, to put up with?
*How much am I willing to put into this endeavor in order to be free? Spiritually, emotionally, mentally and physically?
*What will I do when bad stuff happens in my life? When all hell is breaking lose?
*What am I willing to do to prevent a relapse?
*What do I need to do and where will I turn when I’m about to fail?
*How will I know the warning signals of relapse?
*What situations in my life do I need to change to make quitting easier?
*What resources will I seek out when I’m shaky ?
*What’s it worth - ultimately - for me to stay quit?
When taking a parachute jump course we were taught about all the things that could go wrong when you jumped out of that plane and what to do about them. Not about all the things that could go right. So study the things that can go wrong and prepare for them. And find out how deep your commitment really is. Because by answering those questions, you’ll get a good indication of the reality you’ll be going through and it will determine your success.
I know you CAN quit - if you haven’t - and can REMAIN so if you have. Why? Because I’ve been around a LONG time and have seen it happen on a daily basis, weekly, yearly basis. It’s the greatest gift you can give yourself. Please do.
Keep - it - safe. And don't forget to smile.
