Quitting smoking was one of the hardest things I have ever done. I had quit many times, and like many went back to it for stress relief or when life got hard. The last time I quit I made my mind up that I was not just quitting, but I was quitting for good – I was all in- and I would never smoke again. I changed the way I thought about smoking. Smoking was no longer going to have control over me and my life.
Smoking thoughts were deep roots that had been planted in my brain for years! Changing the way I thought about smoking was not always easy, but very important if I were to live smoke free. The old smoking beliefs (roots) were being weakened whenever I was able to change my thinking and tell myself something positive about quitting. New roots started to grow and these were good, healthy roots.
“One thought at a time” became my mantra. Here are a few of the things I started to tell myself over and over again.
I want control over my life
I am choosing to live smoke free
Smoking is dirty and it smells
Smoking is not an option
I am strong, healthy and want to live a long life
Smoking is not my identity
Just because it worked for me doesn’t mean will work for you, we are all different in a way unique to us. What are some things that you can do today that will help to weaken those old, unhealthy roots? Make a list of positive things you can tell yourself when you are thinking about smoking. Practice them, memorize them, and use them until your new healthy roots start to take shape.
Therese Shumaker
Supervisor/ NDC Counselor/ CTTS
