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Share your quitting journey

Holla ExLand

crazymama_Lori
0 5 11

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. This has been the most frustrating week of my life. Sure I could have driven up to the store and bought a pack of cigarettes and puffed away on them, but I didn't. Just like very early in my quit when I had it in my head that this is getting too hard, if only someone would say to me in 130 days this will all go away completely and you'll never have it again ever in your life. Poof, here's the magic date and it will all disappear. Well, I hate to tell you, that day never comes, but it gets easier, it goes smoother. There's actually some days that smoking never even enters your mind, your thought processes. Here's a good article to read that involves this subject: https://www.verywell.com/will-i-miss-smoking-forever-2824756

 

Trust me when I tell you this, in about six months you will feel differently. The thought of smoking disappears as quickly as it appears. Once you have it in your head that you will always want to smoke, it's just that you don't do that anymore. But do me a favor, for you on again/off again folks, just jot down in a notebook exactly when you want that cigarette. It could be when you're hungry, tired, bored. It could be when you're angry, sad, frustrated over something. It could be a certain person that seems to trip you up. Believe me when I tell you that the next time it sticks its ugly head out, I'll bet you it was one of those reasons you wrote down in that notebook. Then pull out that toolbox, your strategies for not smoking, your game plan, your play book. This recovery as with any recovery from addiction can be obtained by staying committed, having acceptance, 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. It's always going to be there, but you've learned to deal with it and dismiss those thoughts.

 

Give yourself a break once in a while. Be gentle with yourself. We all know life is full of stress, frustration, but you know what, that's just the way it is. 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 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 for that day. That day adds up to 30 days, 60 days, for the rest of your life days.

 

We'd love to have you join us!

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About the Author
Never be afraid or embarrassed about your "smoking thoughts" while quitting, they're there to remind us how strong we truly can be. Always remember, you will always WANT to smoke, but you have to CHOOSE not to. We can't break the ties that bind us without first changing the cycle that created it.