I thought about this after reading CURVYQ's post re returning to smoking after 320 days.....
The quit is a long journey. We start with a mountain to climb (which some say is in a tunnel with a light at the end of it :p ).
It is hard work and many fall in their attempts to progress. What spurs us onward and upward is encouragement from fellow quitters at significant milestones (1 week, 10 days, 20 days, 1 month and so on).
This culminates at 100 days into the journey where we reach The Beach, a beautiful place to stop for a while relax, and reflect on our achievements.
Soon, it is time to move on, but this is where the journey differs. It appears that after the long uphill struggle, we are now walking on flat land - a plateau. So is this it? The end of the journey? Not yet..
The journey is easier, the struggle is less, but things have changed. Nobody on the SSC congratulates you on 110 days quit; it's 10 more days than 100, but it's not as significant as a quit of, well, 10 days. Friends and family ask you about it less and less, and the euphoria of the earlier part of the quit has all but gone.
You are also left to wonder about what many describe as an 'empty feeling'; you know that you are no longer nicotine-dependent, but the brain is conditioned to its regular 'reward'. (If you haven't read Shevie's 'Rewards, Nicotine and the Brain', please do).
At this point in the journey, I think you have a decision to make. Either agonize over how long you will have to live with this feeling -is this 'as good as it gets'? or, accept the way that you feel, listen to 'older' quitters here (or even quitters in 'real life'(!)). Do you still have this empty feeling after say, 3 years of quitting? I believe not.
The truth is, that as I walk along the plateau, I realise that I am still on the journey, where I walk appears flat, but in fact there is a very gradual incline. Day by day, things get better, but by imperceivable amounts. As long as I accept this, and accept the word of those who have been before me, I will succeed.
Yes, I still have this empty feeling, but I feel it with less frequency and less intensely than 100 days ago. And by the way, in case you're wondering, I have no regrets. This is the best thing I have ever done for myself!
Thanks for li
