UNDERSTANDING EXCUSES

[Giulia]

Anything your brain comes up with that tells you that you’re justified in smoking is simply an excuse.  Here are some examples

1. I’m under a lot of stress right now because of... __________ fill in the blank
   1. my family - (spouse, ex spouse, father, niece, mother, nephew,  grandmother, brother, grandfather, uncle, sister, grandchild, cousin, mother-in-law .....)
   2. my job, boss, co-worker, lack of a job, too many jobs....
   3. my boyfriend, girlfriend, frogfriend (just wanted to see if you were payin’ attention lol), boyfriend’s ex, girlfriend’s mother....
   4. my roommate, my roommate’s friend, my roommate’s mother, my roommates dog...
   5. my exams, my certifications, my teacher, my advisor, my class mate...
   6. my pet, my vet, my vet’s nurse, my vet’s front desk person...
   7. my doctor, nurse, health care facility, billing office, dentist...
   8. my friend, arguments with a friend, my friend’s friend, my ex-friend, my friends ex- friend...my friend’s mother’s sister,
   9. my gas-fed ... car, tractor, weed wacker, leaf blower, snow mobile, jet ski, chain saw....
   10. my refrigerator, my garage door, my dishwasher, my toilet, my computer, my basement leak...
   11. my lack of sleep, my grief, my physical pain,
   12. my lack of money, loss of a purse, rude person at the supermarket, person who flipped me the bird at the stop light, insurance agent, realtor, banker, lawyer, indian chief, social security office, collections department, identity theft....
   13. politics, rednecks, liberals, conservatives, PACs, the IRS, the NSA, CNN, FOX,  Obama, Trump...
   14. Covid-19
   15. global warming, global cooling, climate changing....
2. I need to smoke because of.....  (fill in the blank)                             
   1. death (unless it’s your own because you didn’t quit) of a friend, family member, pet or mass murder
   2. boredom, (I don’t know what to do except smoke)
   3. my bi-polar disorder, depression, elation, pain meds, constipation, expectoration,  elimination, anger, fear, sorrow, loneliness....
   4. I need comfort and only a cigarette can comfort me
   5. it's my reward
   6. don't wanna get fat: it's my way of keep weight off 
   7. it helps me relax
3. I can't quit because.... (fill in the blank)
   1. It's harder for me
   2. my birthday, anniversary, graduation party, vacation - is coming up
   3. I'm not sure I'm ready
   4. nothing can replace the happiness a cigarette gives me
   5. it's my only friend in times of trouble
   6. I live with smokers
4. I smoked because.....  (fill in the blank)
   1. I got  drunk, I forgot.
   2. I got drunk, I forgot,
   3. I got drunk, I forgot
   4. I didn’t follow the NOPE Doctrine even though I knew I should
   5. I didn’t seek support and thought I could do it on my own
   6. I wanted to just see what one tasted like after all this time
   7. I was with a friend/family member and I couldn’t resist the temptation
   8. I was out with my buddies and they all smoked
   9. I became complacent and thought I had it in the bag
   10. I wanted to test myself
   11. I let life "get to me"
   12. I didn’t think

If you check any one of those boxes then you either haven’t done your homework or you’ve not made a commitment to quit.  Because if you have, NOTHING will prevent you from maintaining it.  NOTHING.  Well, except it you’re drunk.  Commitment means squat if you’re drunk because you aren’t in your normal right mind.  But if you ARE - then the rest is a choosing.  Choosing to smoke.  

Are you getting the message here?  There is NOTHING in your mind that should allow you to smoke once you have made the commitment to quit.   ANYTHING that causes you to put a cigarette in your mouth is an excuse to continue the addiction.  Recognize the thought for what it is - an excuse -  and eliminate it immediately.  You came to this site to help you quit.  Number one lesson - recognize and ditch the excuses.

Commitment means no smoking No Matter What.

Here's a link to another blog on Junkie Thinking - Excuses to Smoke.

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Addendum 1/30/17

Recognize that any reason you can come up with to delay your quit date, like "I wasn't ready,"  is also an excuse.  Don't justify why you CAN'T, rather elaborate convincingly on  how you CAN and embrace your choice.
 

[Giulia]

Au contraire, my freeneasy friend.  It proves you've got GUTS!!!  HA!

[nikki77]

There is no excuse, never will i smoke:) great blog!!! Im fighting the good fight. Always on guard:)

[Legend]

This is a wonderful blog I love it. 

[Strudel]

Oh so we'll said G! Thanks! 

Kathy

[lisa11209]

So true, thanks. ( I am sure my frogfriend would never provide an excuse for me to smoke)

[aries2]

Great blog!! You and I are teachers or instructors, I can tell by the fill in the blanks. Excellent work!  Alot of personal thought went into that, and I am very proud of what you did!

Reinforcing the fact of no drinking while you are going through the process is so imperative to total success.

To All the readers:  if you ever get depressed, angry, mad, sad, wanting the smoke, say "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus" x3. Repeat as needed. You can raise your arms to the sky to feel your personal energy and power come through. For non-Christians, arms at the side and raise them on the inhales and move them down on the exhales. Remember, one inhale to the count of 5, then one exhale to the count of 5 slowly so you don't pass out! Repeat as needed.

I'm in isolation by choice right now and am focusing on mental, physical, and spiritual goals to keep me from smoking.

Blessings to all,

Aries ❤️  Day 52

[pir8fan]

Great blog my friend! There are a million EXcuses to smoke, but not one single, solitary, reason! So, ignore those silly EXcuses! Even if you are drunk! A drunk persons actions are a sober persons thoughts! Do not let the though of smoking dwell in your mind! Take a vow, and live it!!

And, if the EXcuse is  #1. J.  Refrigerator, dishwasher other kitchen appliances or washer dryer, be sure to call me first!!

[Michwoman]

Wonderful!!! Love this!! Thanks Giulia!

[smorgy8513]

Thank you, thank you.   So creative, so true.

[Mike.n.Atlanta]

Love this blog Giulia.

3.  I smoked because.....                            fill in the blank

"I wanted to see if I was still an addict." That's probably the stupidest one I've ever heard.

KOKO my friend,

M n @