Like Lady said, quitting is a life changing experience. What you'll experience goes far beyond just not smoking any more and the obvious benefits derived from being tobacco-free.
Many of us long-term quitters have experienced something akin to a rebirth. One thing addiction does (any addiction) is muffle emotions. Instead of dealing with emotional issues, addicts turn to their addiction for comfort, support, and security. Such is the nature of addiction.
The first year of a quit is mostly learning how to live life on life's terms, not on the addiction's terms. This is often a gut-wrenching experience. For a while, many of us often act as if we are at whatever age we were at when we took up smoking. We are trying to learn in a few months what non-addicts have spent their entire lives learning. It's quite a ride, I'll not kid anyone about that.
So we sometimes yell, or get hurt to easily, become defensive, or become offensive, cry, pout, or expect the world to revolve around us and our beliefs. We sulk, we think everyone is out to get us, we think everyone else hasn't a clue, we throw temper tantrums, and basically act psychotic.
Imagine riding a white water rapids through a pitch black cave. You have no idea how long it is, or what's up ahead. That's your basic quit. But if you just hang on, trust what those ahead are calling back to you, hold tight to your quit (your raft), you will make it.
And when you emerge onto that placid lake, where the sun is shining, the birds are singing, and the water is smooth as glass you will realize a peace, a security, and a sense of pride you have never felt before.
Shevie
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/23/2005
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 413
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 8,276
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1569.4
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 77 [B]Hrs:[/B] 3 [B]Mins:[/B] 32 [B]Seconds:[/B] 40
