I think it is difficult for non-smoker family and friends to be supportive of smokers that are trying to quit. I think it is just like an person that is addicted to something. You never really know if they are sincere about it. I have had a few events leading up to my decision to quit this time. This time it's different. I find that I get stronger each time I refuse to smoke. There is this powerful urge to light one up. It's what I have leaned on for 8 years of my life. It makes me sad thinking of all the things my smoking has done to separate me from people. I told myself for years that it was a way of being social. It was a way of being social with other smokers. I guess I was trying to validate it. I want to be more social, especially with people that are concerned with their health. I want to be healthy so I am making steps to do that in all aspects of my life..psychological, physical, spiritual, social, environmental. I am in my twenties and have spent much of my life worried about my future. I want to stop worrying, because it has kept me afraid and alone. I joined a support group a few months ago and it has had the strongest impact on my recovery. I am evolving into the "model" me. The woman I envisioned when I was a child. The woman I want to be for my siblings, for my future children, for my partner, for myself. My program has taught me many slogans and phrases that help me get through the day. The 3 A's comes to mind: AWARENESS, ACCEPTANCE, ACTION. I am AWARE of the health benefits of quitting and the impact that my smoking has had on my family, particularly my siblings and parents. I ACCEPT that I have been a smoker for 8 years and that I am now ready to quit. Each day I will put my plan into ACTION: reading about the struggles of others, writing my thoughts/stresses down, exercising daily, eating better, and speaking out. I am so thankful the structure of this site and look forward to being active, healthy, and smoke-free! One day at a time.
