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Share your quitting journey

Addiction Talks But So Do You

SimplySheri
Member
2 15 137

~~Courage isn't the absence of fear, it is the presence of fear yet the will to continue.~~  Unknown

It takes courage to decide you are going to quit smoking.  Even the thought can produce panic and paralyzing fear.  That is addiction talking and it talks loudly.

It takes courage to enter day 1.  The day begins with trepidation and may end in exhaustion and tears.  That is addiction talking and it talks loudly.

It takes courage to feel those craves, knowing that if you break down, its back to that damn day 1.  That is your voice beginning to talk even though it's meek and shaky.

It takes courage to hold firm in your commitment to your quit as you may feel stress, anxiety, and waves of sadness for something you can't put your finger on.  That is your voice growing stronger although addiction is still whispering in your ear.

It takes courage to feel all those emotions you buried beneath clouds of smoke and years of addiction but each day you hang on just for another day.  That's your voice raised in equal parts of determination and desperation, a tug of war between freedom and addiction.

It takes courage to explore your smoke free world.  To find your talents, discover your skills, and look at the world clear eyed.  That's you.  The warrior, the champion, the wisdom. 

Make no mistake about it.  The warrior is in you!  Your feelings of weakness are addiction fighting for control.  Your doubts are the voice of addiction, not wanting to let go of you.  But if you have not smoked, whether you are curled up into a sobbing mess or you are hiding underneath your blankets in bed, you have that warrior in you!  Gently holding on at first as addiction is loud and powerful but growing in strength, confidence, and courage as you ignore that voice of addiction. 

You, my friend, as Winnie the Pooh once said, are "braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think".  So addiction doesn't have a chance in hell of beating you once you believe in yourself! 

Sheri

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