Once you stop romancing the thought of smoking just one cigarette again, that action of lighting up and pulling in the smoke, slowing letting it out, once you accept that it's only a thought you have now and not an action, you'll learn to not panic when it enters your mind. My thought, embrace it and see it for what it is. It's only a thought. Let's face it, we all have crazy thoughts, irrational thoughts once in a while. We just simply choose to not act on them. Yes, smoking is a choice, but to not smoke is another choice. This is not an either/or type of negotiation. It's not a thought of well, I'll only have one once in a while. I will guarantee you that in a few months you will be back to being a full-time smoker in no time. You're still feeding that need. I will bet that when something stressful in your life comes about, you're going to be puffing away. You're still refueling those receptors in your brain. If you continue down that road, you're only seeing smoking as a habit and not an addiction to nicotine.
Ask yourself why are you the one who lights up when no one else in your family feels the need. I'm taking the word “smoking” out of the equation in this conversation. Smoking is the action we do repeatedly. Nicotine is what keeps drawing us back. The simple answer to that is you are addicted to the nicotine in the cigarette that keeps you coming back and coming back. The weekend warriors are not addicts because they have no need whatsoever during the week to pull out a cigarette. They don't have to because they have learned other ways to cope with life in general. We somehow throughout the years have lost that ability, but it can be relearned.
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.
We'd love to have you join us!
