Minnie Mouse

The End of My Quit

My quit is over for me. I no longer have to decide to stay smoke free, or reconsider it each & every day (or month or year). The choice to not smoke was made by me a long time ago, it’s been kept by me for a while, and being smoke free is now my normal way of living.

Yes, I took smoking again off the table for me as an option from Day One/Won. Yes, I acknowledge that I will always be physically addicted to nicotine. Yes, I know I can’t have “even” just one or I will put myself at risk of a return to full-fledged smoking hell again.

So what?!  I chose to quit smoking. So I did it. I’m quit. The only requirement in order to Stay Quit is that I don’t smoke. As long as I don’t smoke my addiction to nicotine lies dormant. I don’t crave one and if I get a smoking “memory” it passes easily enough for me now (time & patience) & life goes on smoke free.

Smoking is never a solution to anything. It never has been & never will be for anyone. Smoking just adds a new problem to everything else. There will come a time in your smoke free life when you’ll need to just stop quitting & let everything having to do with the old smoking you go.

I’ve arrived. I am at peace and so very grateful for my smoke free life. When you get there yourself you will be able to take the training wheels off & just get on with the living of the rest of your life. This is when your “End Journey” becomes the "New Journey" you get to actually design & live out smoke free for yourself.

It's doable for everyone regardless of their circumstances or obstacles. It truly is and it's worth every bit of angst it takes to "arrive". Believe in yourself so you can achieve it too. Best Wishes.

(Written at 7 Yrs 3 Mos Quit.  Change what smoking means to you and then … just begin.)

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Just Begin …

"Until one is committed there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness.

Concerning all acts of initiative or creation there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: That the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would otherwise never have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of incidents and meetings and material assistance which no one would have believed would have come one's way.

Whatever you think you can do or believe you can do, begin it. Action has magic, grace, and power in it."

W.H. Murray The Scottish Himalaya Expedition

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* An Additional Helpful Resource:   http://www.quitsmokingonline.com/course (Helpful for mindset. Free!)

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This was my Plan.  It worked for me.  Think about & personalize your own plan (write it down!).  First and foremost:  Educate yourself about nicotine addiction so you understand the "why" and "how" of it and what you can do to get yourself free (Nicotine Addiction 101 on the why quit site is a great resource).  Best Wishes. 

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ADVICE

* Educate yourself about your nicotine addiction (it is NOT just a bad habit!).  The more you truly understand what nicotine has done to your mind as well as your body the easier it will be for you to take back control of your life.  It then becomes VERY doable for you to get & stay quit.

* Think out & put together a Quit Plan & Quit Kit.  Write down the reasons you have chosen to quit.  Make a list of the distractions & substitution tools you will use, and activities that will help you over the "humps".  Remember TRIUMPH is the word "TRI" with a little more "UMPH".

* Practice mini-quits for a week or two before your Quit Date -- change up when, where & why you smoke to give yourself a head start on breaking not only your smoking habits but the psychological associations & dependencies you've ingrained within yourself & your life.

* Research & decide whether you will use any aids (NRT or prescription) -- how much & how long will you use it/them.  Plan when & how you will discontinue their use.

* Make a list of mantras you will use & positive affirmations (for mindset) that speak to you.  Ban all negativity from your self-talk.

* Pledge daily.  Commit yourself to one full year of focusing on your quit -- no matter how you may feel each day, no matter what you may tell yourself, and no matter what happens to you.  Keep yourself & your Stay Quit the priority.

* Consider keeping a daily journal for the first year (at least) of your quit.  It's easy to forget how those first 3 days, first 3 weeks, first 3 months were as more time passes so it serves as an insurance policy or reminder of how you felt, what you were thinking, and what you went through to gain back your Freedom & restart your Life.  It documents just how far you have come.

* Choose continued personal empowerment over instant gratification.  This will be a journey that is filled with self-discovery & will be life changing if you let it be for you.  It is absolutely worth whatever it takes for you to gain & keep your Freedom from nicotine addiction.  I promise!

The worst day to quit smoking is tomorrow.  The best day would have been yesterday.  The ideal day is NOW.  Do it TODAY.