Post by Ann on Oct 30, 2008 7:46:14 GMT -5
Top 10 things I`ve Learned:
1) This WILL Pass.
No matter how bad I’m feeling at the moment, sick, sad, angry, craving, etc. it will pass. Perhaps not as quickly as I would like, but hey, I spent years feeding my addiction it takes time to heal.
2) When I’m cranky, I’ll keep my mouth shut.
Your spouse’s breathing is making you nuts. That d**n cow-orker has hit your last nerve. Hey, that person looked at me wrong. Yep, I get cranky, but I keep my mouth shut. What I don’t do is unleash on those around me – it serves no useful function in 3D land. That’s not to say I don’t speak up if there’s a real issue, but my crankiness is my own problem.
3) Even tho my mom says I’m special, I’m not the exception to the rule.
Yep, my mom always told me I was special, but that doesn’t mean the rules of addiction don’t apply. No matter how long I’m quit for, I can’t smoke “just one.” I am an addict, if I was capable of being a ‘social smoker’ I wouldn’t have been smoking a pack a day. It’s not easy to admit being an addict, but it helps me understand things better.
4) There is nothing that a cigarette will fix. Nothing.
No matter what the stress factor is, a cancer-stick won’t fix it. Even the worst crave ever won’t be fixed – it will only be pushed back, ready to pop up again a soon as the nicotine leaves the body.
5) There are a LOT of people out there who do not understand what I’m going thru, I need to accept that.
The 3D ‘friends’ who still smoke who belittle my quit – mostly because they have been unable to quit themselves and if I fail it will validate their habits. Friends/family who have never smoked – they can’t fathom what I’m going thru (and why I’m not all better yet). This is why the Q is such a god-send. Lots of people who know EXACTLY what I’m going thru, ready to offer a helping hand. Thank you all!
6) I have to accept that other people will continue to smoke.
I have told my smoking friends that I am doing well, and if they ever want my help, come to me. Then I leave it at that. There’s no point in preaching to them about the evils of smoking – they don’t want to hear it. I also need to learn to deal with smokers in 3D land, some polite and some rude. I can only control what goes on in my life and my house. If I choose to go somewhere where people smoke, I need to deal with it. My husband’s family smokes. I know that if I go to a family function some will make a point not to smoke in front of me, others won’t. Frankly, this is my problem, not theirs. I will deal with it, or choose not to go.
7) I am the master of my quit.
No one or nothing can make me smoke. I have yet to be attacked by a crazed cow-orker bearing a smoke machine that forces a butt in my mouth, lights it, then forces me to inhale. If I ever do, I’ll be sure to contact the proper authorities. Meanwhile I control what goes into my mouth. Me. Only me and I choose not to smoke.
8) I AM stronger than my demon.
Every day I don’t smoke I get stronger. I am winning this fight.
9) Take time to celebrate your achievements.
Every milestone, whether it’s 1 hour, 1 month, 1 year, etc. Every major crave that you didn’t give in to is a reason to celebrate. Even if it’s just a moment to pat yourself on the back for a job well done, be happy in what you’ve accomplished.
10) Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
No man is an island. Quitting is a long journey, sometimes we all need some help. The Q has been an awesome source of support for me. There’s also been times when I’ve sat my s/o down and said “Look, I’m having a really tough time right now. I need _____.” Do what you need to keep your quit"