For me, "The Day" is on September 27 of this year. This is my start date to quit smoking. And, as usual, I am projecting what I will do on that day, what changes I will make, and how to deal with the anxiety. I know I will have it. But it was once said, "Change people, places, and things". I'm thinking of what to change on that day. Change my morning habits. Change my daily routine. Yet, in the back of my mind I'm thinking, "How am I going to handle the urge when it comes along?" And. . .oh yes !. . .it will come along !
I'll have to tell myself, "You'll be fine without a cigarette. Nothing bad is going to happen. You'll be fine today without one". Yet, still, I
am getting anxious. September 27 is the day I am quitting forever. Smoking has become part of my personality. It is part of who I am. I will light up as easily as signing my own name, or taking a breath for that matter. Maybe I'm destroying myself before I ever get off the launching pad. That's probably what I'm doing. Never-the-less. . . . .I must be reminded of what cigarettes have done to me over the past 41 years, and hang on to that. That little reminder could be the trigger that keeps me in remission. Also, like A.A. teaches their members, "One day at a time." That is probably what I'll try to stay with. Stop smoking for just today. Don't worry about tomorrow, it isn't here yet. Just for one day. . . . .don't smoke. If I smoke tomorrow, I'll deal with it, but tomorrow isn't here yet. So, . . . . .just for today I won't smoke. I'll take it one day at a time.
