Don't Belittle Your Accomplishments

[YoungAtHeart]

As I am reading here, I notice the newly quit putting themselves down for "ONLY" being quit 24 hours, or 6 days, or two weeks.  They compare themselves to others here who have been quit for months, or even years.

What I want you all to understand is that EVERY ONE of us was exactly where you are at a point in time.  We ALL started with "ONLY"  just one day.  That one day is a HUGE accomplishment!  Deciding to quit and following through is a HUGE accomplishment.  Don't degrade your hours, mornings, days, weeks!  Be proud and shout those numbers from the rooftops.  You have done something a whole bunch of folks wish they could.

Keep at it and those minutes and hours will lead to days, and then to months and then to YEARS.  Those numbers all started with the number one.

You DESERVE to be proud!  BE!

Nancy

[Mandolinrain]

GREAT POST Nancy and well said! Exactly......just deciding to QUIT is huge accomplishment. 

[MarilynH]

I agree with you Nancy 100 % be proud of yourself for each and every Day WON......

[SimplySheri]

Every moment counts when you quit smoking   Be proud!!  Great blog, Nancy!!!!

[freeneasy]

That's the junkie in us. It says "Yea you got 24 hours" or "yea you gotta week. "but ya ain't gonna make it a month or a year"  Tell it-"Well guess what junkie. I'll show you "   

[Barbscloud]

Not me!  I celebrate everyday, especially some of those days (like last week) when everything just kept going wrong and made it through without smoking.  Also, celebrating produces more dopamine.

132 DOF

[elvan]

Love this, Nancy.  Seriously, we all tended to diminish our numbers at the beginning because we probably figured other people would.  My daughter would not answer when people asked how long she had been quit because they were not very encouraging.  This is the place for encouragement.

Be proud of your MINUTES, HOURS, DAYS, WEEKS, MONTHS, YEARS...

Ellen

[Court09]

I admit I've been envious of your guys long term quits, lol. And here I am only on day 3. BUT, I am ok with that because despite my serial quits, for the first time in my life I am absolutely positive that I will never smoke again. I honestly can't say that about my other quits. I was probably looking for excuses to smoke in those quits. Tonight, I drank a little with hubby, knowing that I wouldn't smoke, and I didn't. Even though he was smoking next to me outside. I don't drink often, but I am proud to have broken that trigger, because, well, I am certain I will never smoke again. I'm sure you understand what I am trying to say, lol. It is so empowering to know, when you know.

[YoungAtHeart]

I understand and accept that you know......

BUT (and didn't ya' just know there was going to be a but??!!!)................................................................................................

do be careful with drinking alcohol.  As the excitement of your new quit wears off, the addict within might start whispering, "Come on, you GOT this- just one won't hurt,"  or "you have proven your quit is solid - how about just one to celebrate?"

Please do know and accept that there never again can be "just one" to an addict.  One will always - ALWAYS - lead to another...then to another...until you are back smoking again. 

Happy to hear how happy you sound!

Nancy

[Court09]

Yes, that has happened in a few quits... The " just one to prove it"... The last couple of mornings when I wake up, the first thing that pops in my head is there is no just one, lol. I don't intend to keep testing my resolve with alcohol  I know I still have a long road ahead of me. I am just finding it remarkable with each day.

[elvan]

You are doing GREAT Court09‌, life is MUCH better lived without smoking.

Ellen

[Court09]

Thanks. The encouragement is helpful today. It's been a day of emotional turmoil. 

[elvan]

Court09‌ Remember that there were days of emotional turmoil when you smoked too...remember that smoking does nothing FOR you, it does NOT help you to relax, it does not make you happy when you are sad...it is a drug and using it is no different from an addict shooting up.  I cannot believe the time I wasted smoking and the way I have undoubtedly shortened my life because I kept smoking.  Take better care of yourself than I did.  Every moment you are free brings you closer to a forever quit.  You are doing this.

Hugs,

Ellen