Good morning, fellow Ex'ers. Just my Saturday blog to check out a few sites on here for you newbies and for us oldies but goodies on here. Sometimes a little reminder doesn't hurt. Whew, what a week I've had. Feel like I'm writing my Christmas letter here. Been working 16 to 18 hours a day. Been over a year since I've had this much work all at one time. So this was a first for me not sitting here chain smoking because I was stressed to the gills. Puffing away thinking there's not enough hours in a day to get everything done. Just amazes me now how I thought that smoking was going to take away that stress. Thinking back in that first 30 days just thinking to myself, this is too hard, I'm too stressed right now to quit, I have to smoke right now to get this all done. Well, surprise, surprise, I am proof that I truly didn't need to. I just wanted to.
I remember way back then the Elders were telling me that it will get better. Give it time. It will be easier. I'd just shout out when, just tell me when. You see, us smokers, we want it and want it all now. Not six months from now and not working and striving to our goal. We need to start taking each small victory and turning to the next challenge. Sure, I did find myself saying this week, boy, could I ever go for a cigarette right now. But you know what, that thought stayed with me for as long as it took to say it. I said it, I acknowledged it as simply the thought that it was, and I went back to my work again. If you stay committed, stay the course, ride out the rough waves and stick with it, you'll do just fine. Just resolve yourself to accept that that's just something that you don't do anymore.
There's nothing wrong with thinking those crazy thoughts once in a while. It's not like we're going to run to the store and start puffing up a storm again. It's just really a saying now. Kind of like this is going to drive me to drink. Just a phrase, no biggy. Give yourself a break once in a while. Be gentle with yourself. We all know life is full of stress, frustration. It's important to learn how to react differently to the actions that we did for so many years, light up and puff our problems away. It's also important to look on the positive side instead of the negative. Check out Positive Affirmations for Success: You can take what you want and leave the rest. And you can always find and contribute your own.
When you click the Group Button just to the right of the Blog button and when that window comes up look for the featured group button we are the first group listed Also for awhile we are on the Home Page under Featured Groups. OR just click this link
https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/groups/positive-affirmations-and-support
But don't miss the daily interactive discussion called Love Yourself. Whether you're dropping in to say hello, offer love and support to your friends or need a place where you will truly feel listened to, we are there - every single day! Take a look and feel free to join us! ALL are welcome!
https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/thread/3533-love-yourself
Sometimes we just need a laugh to get our minds back on track. Be sure to visit https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/groups/laughter-is-the-best-medicine to bring a smile to your face daily or just a pleasant distraction. Sometimes that little hit of dopamine from laughter is the trick.
At times it helps to reaffirm our quit by pledging with others to not smoke for that day. Be sure to join others by going to: https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/groups/daily-pledge/ to virtually hold hands with other members and pledge not to smoke.
We'd love to have you join us!
