Many of us log in every morning first thing to pledge our commitment to stay smoke-free. There have been days where I needed some extra glue to stick to my quit, so I pledged more than once. There have been days that I stayed quit because I took the pledge and ONLY because I took the pledge.
If you were to ask me why taking the pledge made a difference, I would tell you that the pledge holds me accountable to my quit. Making the pledge requires us to take an action to affirm out intentions and to do it front of witnesses. Because I take the pledge and I’m still quit, I would say that the pledge works.
However, taking the pledge, or blogging, or just hanging out on this website does not hold you accountable. The Ex Police will never come knocking on your door demanding to know why you didn’t pledge. The DOF auditors will never question your posted days. I never have to provide a blood test to prove I have no nicotine in my system. Technically, the only accountability is to myself.
This site provides good tools and helpful supportive people. But at the end of the day, I either smoked or I didn’t. If I did, my body will eventually pay that penalty even if I don’t report it and update my quit date.
It’s like going on a diet and only counting the calories that somebody else sees you eat. You can cheat on calorie count but you cannot cheat your body. It’s gonna count the calories even if you don’t.
I am accountable for my own actions and grateful to have this site here to keep my honest.
PT
