Walking Backwards Through Molasses

[AutumnWoman]

...Not an impossible thing to do, but things could be easier. I've now have 69 days and some hours to my quit. It's become a matter of hunkering down and doing the hard work if I want to keep my quit.

Yesterday Carole posted a humorous blog about the Free At Last 7.0 browser. Well, I've been trying to install mine, but there have been glitches. I didn't realize how difficult it is to *not* pick up another substance or process while trying to recover from using nicotine. I've been trying not to overeat and not to shop compulsively/ Add to that a spouse with back problems and an adult son with autism and I think you can see the pools of molasses developing.
But I haven't smoked! I've done yoga, I've walked, I've cleaned my bathroom, I've cooked delicious *healthy* meals
and I've cared for my ill and disabled family. I've prayed a lot. I've been on this site with you guys, which has helped me tremendously. So even though I'm walking through molasses, the direction is toward recovery from nicotine. Thank you, folks. -- Free At Last

[buddysmom]

I love that molasses expression - I never heard it before. Congrats on your 69 days!

[carole_]

By the way like the changes to your page including the avatar photo! 🙂 Here's one I enjoy..."There is no road to happiness, happiness IS the road." Another way of saying that we do manifest our own good life. You are certainly doing that now.

And, you are right, there are still days here and there that thoughts to smoke creep in, we smoked a lot of years, it does take some time for our brain to understand that when X happens we don't do Y and smoke anymore. It has to unlearn the patterns (habits), and we have to stick to the new lesson we are teaching it. That part, obviously, cannot happen in Hell Week, it happens and blossoms the right way as we live life and its experiences. Soon enough, 'hunkering down' will not be the words of the day, rather..."When was the last time I thought about smoking? I don't even remember."

I replaced nicotine with eating and overspending on two other separations from nicotine. So I get it. The difference for me this last quit was all about understanding how easy it is to replace one 'addiction' for another. "Replacement therapy," when it involves unhealthy things or actions rather than truly taking care of me and making just good life choices was quite damaging. Addiction is about the quick fix, instant self-gratification. It was a tough realization for me that I still wanted to abuse myself with the quick fix, just in a different way, and that I had more to learn about living life a better way, it was not one "quick fix" after another. So kudos for realizing this early on and addressing with all the healthy and better choices you are 'manifesting' in your life!!!!! YEAH!!!!

Sorry to go on with this comment, you just brought up some excellent points. I know others have those same thoughts, especially about replacing cigs with something else. I am really, really SOOOO grateful that you posted this today. Yes, "the direction is toward recovery from nicotine"....WELL SAID! AND CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU AND YOUR HUSBAND!!! 🙂

P.S. By the way, Ryon is doing well. I know you know the struggles I face daily. So appreciate the book you wrote on your experiences! Had some toughies recently, working through them! 🙂

[JonesCarpeDiem]

Have you ever had See's Molasses chips?

My fav candy.

You have to eat it not walk in it.

You are fantastic.

You are fantastic

You are fantastic.

Don't drag it on the rugs. Use your spirit as a molasses remover

.

[AutumnWoman]

Hi buddysmom -- The molasses statement is a description I once read about the recovery process that stuck with me. I think the author was Anne Wilson Schaef.

Hi Carole-- Thanks for the support. Having you as an example has been instrumental in showing me that it *is* possible to quit, no matter what the family situation.

Hi Dale -- Thanks for reminding me about the Spirit. In truth, it is what is getting me through a lot of this, As usual, you are spot on.

[sarai]

Sheryl - you're an amazing person. You're going through so much, and you've made it through withdrawl cold turkey, you've put up with a partner going through withdrawl cold turkey, and you've got all this other weight on your shoulders... you're incredible. 70 days without a cigarette is a massive achievement, I couldn't possibly be more proud of you for getting this far, knowing how hard this journey has been for you.

Well, actually, I THOUGHT I knew how hard it was, and I guess I'm only finding out now 🙂 Yes, you're absolutely right, it's tempting to start new bad habits to replace the one you have lost, and I can honestly say that it's only once you get challenged that you learn... I've learnt that the hard way. But I'll be here for you whenever you need it, so feel free to rant when you need to!