The dialogue in my head

[violet4]

i read here that one person wrote a play aboout the voices of addiction. I have started my own , to become aware and more focused, to get off of autopilot. i love writing so I opened up Word and started myown writing. I am excited now to change and look forward to winning the battle, once again & keeping the spoils this time! Seeing it on paper, my responses, reactions and emotions are being kept on a time table. I now am looking 4ward to changing, getting focused and creating a document in color with characters! Hey, whatever works. If i got2 outwit my demon, so be it. He tricked me for way too long!

[joyeuxencore]

Hello Violet! 

Where are you in your quit journey? I went to your page but alas there was nothing in the 'about me' section!!! 

Writing is always a very good tool...xo

[violet4]

Ahh. havent started yet. picked up 4 yrs ago & its been a long relapse period. When i am comfortble i will write a little sumthin! Thanx for encouragment

[elvan]

Giulia wrote the play, I really hope you DO write something for all of us to get to know you.  THIS old lady is beat, have a good evening.

[dpop]

Great idea! Will be looking for posts!

[YoungAtHeart]

Welcome to our community!

What a wonderful idea to journal this journey.  When you feel strong in your quit, you might want to share with others who are just starting out/  It could be a great help to others who are going through it!

The most important thing you can do right now is to educate yourself on what nicotine does to your body and mind. To that end, I highly recommend Allen Carr's “The Easy Way to Stop Smoking.” This is an easy and entertaining read. Here is a link to a free PDF version of it:

http://media.wix.com/ugd/74fa87_2010cc5496521431188f905b7234a829.pdf

As well, read the sections on this site, and read the blogs, responses and pages of folks you think might be helpful. You might visit whyquit.com and quitsmokingonline.com for the good information contained there. You should also do the tracking and separation exercises suggested on this site

After you have completed the recommended reading, it will be time to make an informed choice of the quit aid, if any, you will use. If you go that route, I personally recommend the aids that don't let the addict control the dose such as the available prescription drugs or the patch. But – any method that you think will work well for you will be best for you.

The idea is to change up your routines so the smoking associations are reduced.  Drink your coffee with your OTHER hand. If you always had that first smoke with your coffee, try putting your tennies on right out of bed, going for a quick walk, then taking your shower and THEN your coffee! Rearrange the furniture in the areas you used to smoke so the view is different.

You need to distract yourself through any craves.  You can take a bite out of a lemon (yup - rind and all), put your head in the freezer and take a deep breath of cold air, do a few jumping jacks, go for a brisk walk or march in place, play a computer game, write in your journal.  Don't let that smoking thought rattle around in your brain unchallenged. Sometimes you need to quit a minute or an hour at a time.  You will need to be disciplined in the early days to distract yourself when a crave hits.  Don't let that smoking thought rattle around your head alone.  Get busy!  Here is a link to a list of things to do instead of smoke if you need some fresh ideas:

https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/blogs/Youngatheart.7.4.12-blog/2013/02/25/100-things-to-do-instea...

The conversation in your head in response to the "I want a cigarette" thought needs to be, "Well, since I have decided not to do that anymore, what shall I do instead for the three minutes this crave will last?"  Then DO it.  You will need to put some effort into this in the early days, but it gets easier and easier to do.

Stay close to us here and ask questions when you have them and for support when you need it. We will be with you every step of the way!

Nancy

[Giulia]

Hi Violet.  Not sure if what you said meant you had read the play or hadn't.  But just in case you havent,  here's the link to the play I wrote.  Quit Dialogue

At the top and bottom of that blog are links to each section of the play.  There's also an audiio version of part of it called 100 Days of Quitting.

I'll be interested in reading your "dialogue" with yourself.  And hope that the process helps you discover a new perspective.  We are really only battling ourselves with this addiction.  The part of us that says NO, vs the addicted part that says "I WANT TO" - with all it's attendand excuses.  Keep us posted as to how the dialogue is goiing.

[TerrieQuit]

Journaling, writing about our journey is a great idea! I am not good at that, so I keep track of my journey by reading my old blogs. Heaven Forbid they ever disappear! I'd be lost! I go back and read tem alot and those of others as well! Tat helps me! I have read Giulia's Quit Dialogue! It is very good reading!!  Well worth the time!

I Won't Quit on my Quit!