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Share your quitting journey

I'm Quit

Ladybug--7-3-12
4 12 164

I Quit 2.jpg

 

I see many people say that they are quitting smoking when they have actually already quit.

 

NO you are not still quitting smoking when you haven’t smoked for an hour, a day, a week, a month, or whenever. You ARE quit (THE EVENT).  Now you are working on your Stay Quit (THE ONGOING PROCESS).  

 

As hard as the launch or get quit was, it’s done, and the real steadfast work has begun in the Stay Quit phase.  Give yourself credit for being quit already even if it has “just” been an hour because you are building on that smoke free time.  Smoking is no longer an option.

 

It may seem like a simple point (or even ridiculous to some) but your self-talk is so very important.  Instead of telling yourself & others when asked, “I’m quitting smoking” say “I HAVE QUIT SMOKING!”.  There is a difference.  You have already done it.  You never have to quit again if you don’t smoke again. Pat yourself on the back … and then move on in your Stay Quit and focus ahead on your smoke free life.

 

Congrats for making a great choice!  You ARE quit!  Repeat.  You ARE quit! Stay that way!

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About the Author
My quit is over for me. I no longer have to decide to stay smoke free, or reconsider it each & every day (or month or year). The choice to not smoke was made by me a long time ago, it’s been kept by me for a while, and being smoke free is now my normal way of living. Yes, I took smoking again off the table for me as an option from Day One/Won. Yes, I acknowledge that I will always be physically addicted to nicotine. Yes, I know I can’t have “even” just one or I will put myself at risk of a return to full-fledged smoking again. So what?! I chose to quit smoking. So I did it. I’m quit. The only requirement in order to Stay Quit is that I don’t smoke. As long as I don’t smoke my addiction to nicotine lies dormant. I don’t crave one and if I get a smoking “memory” it passes easily enough for me now (time & patience!) and life goes on smoke free. Smoking is never a solution to anything. It never has been & never will be for anyone. Smoking just adds a new problem to everything else. There will come a time in your smoke free life when you’ll need to just stop quitting & let everything having to do with the old smoking you go. I’ve arrived. I am at peace and so very grateful for my smoke free life. When you get there yourself you will be able to take the training wheels off & just get on with the living of the rest of your life. This is when your “End Journey” becomes the "New Journey" you get to actually design & live out smoke free for yourself. It's doable for everyone regardless of their circumstances or obstacles. It truly is and it's worth every bit of angst it takes to "arrive". Believe in yourself so you can achieve it too. Change what smoking means to you (educate yourself about nicotine addiction!) and then just begin. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Just Begin … "Until one is committed there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative or creation there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: That the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would otherwise never have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of incidents and meetings and material assistance which no one would have believed would have come one's way. Whatever you think you can do or believe you can do, begin it. Action has magic, grace, and power in it." W.H. Murray The Scottish Himalaya Expedition * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Helpful Resources: http://www.whyquit.com (Educate yourself on your nicotine addiction!) http://www.quitsmokingonline.com/course (Helpful for mindset. Free!) https://www.addictionsandrecovery.org/post-acute-withdrawal.htm (It IS an addiction not just a bad habit.) "The Easy Way to Stop Smoking" -- Allen Carr (Works for some; find & do whatever it takes for YOU!) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *