Quignov
Here is the rub...For years we have believed that cigarettes "get us through" difficult situations. The truth is that a cigarette never solved a problem. We solve problems and we can do it with or without smoking. This is what I mean when I say we must quit from the inside out. Once you begin to really understand that this is all about modifying our own behavior, we get a deeper understanding of why we smoke and at the same time allow ourselves not to smoke.
When I run into situations that would have in the past sent me to the smoking lounge, I immediately put some space between myself and the situation. This can be done physically or mentally. Once you give yourself the space, you will be better able to decide not to smoke. If on the other hand you allow the situation to be right in your face, there is a very good likely hood that you will smoke...This is especially true when you have not had a lot of practice at not smoking. Remember, smoking is a behavior that we have ingrained in ourselves, it is a defense mechanism that we never needed to develop. However, we have done this and now must use all of our strength to change that decision.
The difficult thing about being an addict is that we are both the observed and the observer. That is a very difficult thing to be. However, as you practice the new behaviors (coping mechanisms), you will develop a new way of being that does not include smoking.
Quitting smoking is more than the cessation of an act (smoking). This is a whole process of developing new and creative ways of depending on our internal resources to help us handle those awkward situations that always arise as a part of human existance.
There are organic reasons that we smoke as well...Without getting into a discussion of neurotransmitters etc., suffice it to say that we have really done a job on our receptors (those for dopamine and other neurotransmitters)...Alot of the depression and anxiety that we experience is due to our lack or overabundance of these substances as nicotine uses these receptors because, well, nature never counted on us ingesting a pesticide.
Just keep practicing the coping skills, deep breathing, exercise, water, water and more water...YOU CAN DO THIS...Part of it is faith and part of it is will and part it is just plain old practice...Hang in there and write often here, everyone here wants you to succeed, you just need to keep going...
nonic
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B]12/25/2006
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 263
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 7,890
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $2,761.50
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 48 [B]Hrs:[/B] 1 [B]Mins:[/B] 33 [B]Seconds:[/B] 51
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Quit Meter
$68,722.50
Amount Saved
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Quit Meter
Days: 1417
Hours: 22
Minutes: 52
Seconds: 28
Life Gained
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Quit Meter
6545
Smoke Free Days
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Quit Meter
196,350
Cigarettes Not Smoked
