On our Quitting Journey this time of Year has 2 sides to the Coin of Quitting and Staying Quit.
On the one side, it's very cold outside! Lots of snow, freezing temperatures, the idea of being couped up with third hand smoke, sore throats, coughs, and other respiratory bad days. Who would want to smoke under those conditions? Only a hard core Addict - that's who!
On the other side, there's the stress of Christmas shopping, the temptation of alcohol/smoking combo, the hazardous street conditions, being around not so easy to get along with relatives. Who could possibly get through all of this without smoking? Only a hard core Quitter - that's who!
We all get to decide which side of the Coin stays upright! There are a ton of reasons not to smoke and a ton of EXcuses to smoke so decide for the one that's in your best interest! It's all about focus!
If we constantly remind ourselves of why we could sure use a smoke then we're probably going to relapse!
If we constantly remind ourselves of what we hate about smoking this time of Year then we'll probably protect our Quit! But there's more to the Quitting side of the Coin! It makes our Family very Happy and protects their Health! If you see this time of Year about Family then you have even more reason to Quit and Stay Quit!
Keep that side flipped up! You can't see the other side when you focus on this one!
I find Winter the easiest time of the Year to Protect my Quit! No more driving one-handed (Sickerette in the other one) when the roads are trecherous! No more second hand smoke in my car! No more standing outside in 11 degree weather! No more stinky third hand smoke in my house! No more constant coughing throughout the night with Bronchitis and Sore Throat! No more skipping out on Family time to feed my Addiction! No more heavy after shaves to cover up the smell of tobacco at the Company Christmas Party! No more burns in my Winter Coats!
But you know the most ironic of ALL? LESS STRESS during a stressful time! That's right! Staying Quit is so much less stressful than staying Addicted!
I have no intention of flipping over this Coin!
