If you look at quitting as giving up something, you're looking at it the wrong way.
You need to be looking at it as reclaiming your life,
likely one you've not known
since before you chose to become smoking's slave.
I gave in to smoking at 17 and smoked 40 years.
It took some time to unlearn it but, unlearning it is the secret.
You can never distance yourself from smoking
while you still look at stopping as giving something up.
Education is key - once you understand that smoking actually does nothing FOR you and so much to you, you can easily accept that there really is nothing to give up.
And then you can begin the journey of freedom from addiction.
Nancy
Wonderful perspective, and so true! Thank you for this.
For every lie we told ourselves in order to keep smoking, we have to relearn the truth, or as you said "unlearn" the lie. I know I didn't start my journey until I was looking forward to it, rather than dreading it. It took a little time to get there, but in the end it was time well spent! Great post!
Chuck
This is so true! I made that mistake in my first quit....and although it was long...it was ultimately unsuccessful because of this very reason. I kept thinking I was being "deprived". In this quit, I re-learned life without cigarettes......and it's a GREAT life and I am so happy I quit.
EXcellent blog Dale!
I am not deprived of anything...except breath and that's just the way it is. I am so happy to FINALLY be free.
Ellen
I was 14 when I started smoking and was a slave for 40 yrs BUT not anymore because as difficult as it was in those early days and weeks I knew it was Doable thanks to this awesome community because you all suggested that I read and learn about this horrid addiction so I did and I took back my life from the clutches of the nicotine poison and it was the best decision that I ever made and it's the best decision that anyone will ever make in this lifetime, thank you Dale sorry for rambling on and thanks for this great thought provoking blog post .....