The Holiday Shakes

[Ann]

The Holiday Shakes !!


..... and I do think that many people who are facing their first smoke free holiday season may feel more emotional then usual. Dealing with family can be very hard for many of us. Perhaps we don't want to join with certain people, but we are expected to. How will we cope ? We used to smoke and that was one way we could push down our emotional reaction to people or situations that were uncomfortable.

Several things come to my mind:

emotions are feelings. They will not kill you, nor do you have to smoke over them. The addict in you tho, will lie and tell you that just a puff or two will take the stress off. LIE !! The first puff and you will know, it was not the right decision. Don't take that first puff. Stand strong. Walk away from that emotional reaction. Breath deeply, claiming how important your quit is. Perhaps you may even choose to leave the event or situation that is upsetting to you.

Do whatever you have to do to protect your quit with your life. Fight. Don't give in. However many hours, days, weeks, months or years you have nicotine free are so precious. Don't throw them away.

Prepare now for the next 10 days. Make the necessary arrangements to take care of yourself. Alcohol is one of nicotines best buddies. Alcohol also helps to mask our feelings and emotions. Watch this area also. If you drink you are more apt to let down your protection against smoking. Think about the combination of drinking and smoking. Don't drink and loose your quit. It simply is not worth it.

Have a plan. Make a list of reasons to keep your quit. Make a list of reasons or activities that would trigger you to smoke. Have a backup person that you can talk with. Don't expect someone to keep your quit for you tho. Your quit is up to you to handle and honor.

Remember the reason you choose to quit. Write it down on a piece of paper and keep that with you all the time. Anger, sadness, being alone, feeling hurt and that no one care are all strong triggers at any time, but during the holidays we seem to be more vunerable. Think ahead. Don't forget to plan, then work that plan.

Don't let go of your quit. You have worked hard to reach wherever you are in this process. It is the most precious gift you have ever given yourself. Hold it close to you.

..... I wish everyone a happy holiday season. You are all family to me. I will always be an nicotine addict, but I can choose not to live in the addiction ever again.

found on Quitnet

[Flo]

Right on! I was just speaking with someone who is about 3 months into her quit and she was saying that she doesn't worry about having a cigarette when she's smoking. It's just that she seems to get distracted and always forgets to have one so it can't be that important but she thinks that if she does have one, she'll just quit afterwards. I told her that she was playing with fire, that she would more than likely start smoking more than ever before she got back to her quit. That seemed to sober her up and she will be taking some nicotine repellant pills that she used when she first quit. I hope I helped her keep her quit. She did not seem to need any help and doesn't seem to suffer from the jitters or any craves so I felt a bit silly but I pursued it and I'm glad I did. My boss was telling me about one of his friends who quit smoking but smoked at firm functions (drinking and smoking) and eventually, he started smoking full time again.

Most people I would venture to say cannot play both sides of the fence. They cannot just have the "occasional" cigarette. I am one of those and drinking is not a good situation even now as it seems to go hand in hand. I did have a couple of beers over dinner with my brother and his wife, both of whom are non-smokers, and I did not even think of a cigarette once so perhaps I'm getting stronger in my quit but like this post says, I want to honour my quit so I do not go too close to the edge.