Early on my quit smoking journey, I was literally floored when I was advised not to be too confident. I did not quite understand and could not believe what I was hearing. I always believed confidence was a great thing to have. As time passed seeing the slips, fall downs, relapses, mistakes, mishaps I fully understood. I will not tell you to not be confident. Yes, we can be confident BUT do NOT take your quit for "granted" no matter what day you are on. "Taken for granted" is when you have something valuable and you do not take explicit actions to nourish, preserve and flourish it.
Okay, so you are off to a fantastic start and you are pumped up. You are EXcited to have finally stopped smoking. I am writing this blog to let you know that no matter what day you are on the newbie quit has to be continuously loved and nurtured so it will develop to maturity. This is a forever process that can not be rushed. I will try my best not to burst your bubble so it is okay to be confident but don't take your quit for granted.
These are a few signs that you may be taking your quit for granted:
- You rarely check-in or not at all.
- You don't think it is very important to read the suggested material
- We send you a message and you do not respond.
- You do not want to follow the advice of the Elders.
- You choose not to come here when you have a problem.
- You figure you have a few days under your belt so you have got this.
- You start to think that you can do it alone and you do not need the support of EX.
- Oh, what a slippery slope you start to slide when you drink alcohol prematurely.
- You don't have a tool kit ready to go at all times or perhaps you don't know what a tool kit is.
- You are in denial that you are an addict and smoking is just a "habit" that you can stop anytime.
- A sure sign you are taking your quit for granted when you act on, "Oh I can have just one puff, one puff will not hurt." WRONG!@!!!! This will take you to full-blown relapse.
- When you start making EXcuses in your head to smoke and you stop thinking no matter what NOPE
- When your quit is not the number one priority above people, places, or things your quit is definitely being taken for granted and you may be on the brink of losing it. My advice is to hold on tight, take a deep breath and tell yourself that no matter what is happening in your life I will NOPE and never take my quit for granted no matter how far I am on this journey. I will do whatever is necessary to be smoke-free.
Here are few blogs that may help make a difference.
/blogs/SkyGirl-blog/2015/10/07/whats-in-your-tool-box
/blogs/Giulia-blog/2013/09/10/how-precious-is-your-quit
Great post, Jackie. And I'm bookmarking it 
. At one year, one week, I had a powerful "thought" to smoke last night...stronger than any I've had in a while. Dang! This addiction is cunning, baffling and powerful! NO WAY was I going to smoke, but the sneaky, subtle way our addictive mind works is only a bit of amazing. Due diligence for me, FOREVER!
Thanks for being here,
Bonnie
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I LOVE this post Jackie.......because when it comes to a quit or anything else...I really, truly try not to take anything for granted. It is hard to live daily grateful for everything.....and I won't say I am perfect at it 
(far from it!). But I practice staying in and living the moment. I started a few years ago and I find it makes a HUGE difference in almost every situation. Certainly it applies to our quits! I am grateful......actively grateful every day that I quit smoking.
Even when I feel like this
I try to THINK like this
Really--------------I DO TRY: )
Totally Awesome Post Jackie ,thank you for sharing this is another post that I wish had a helpful button because I'd be tapping on it right now but I'll have to settle for the like button instead.
Me Too Fun Day Monday
