It has happened to so many of us, maybe even all of us at one time or another. We quit smoking and we are starting to go
along nicely when some BIG emotional, stressful, heart ripping, tearful, anxious moment sends us running to the store to buy cigarettes. It feels like forever, nothing will work but a cigarette, right? We smoke one and suddenly a day or two later, we are right back to a pack a day, right back to square one. Then comes the anger, the shame, the anger, the regret, all of the "Why" emotions. 'Why did I give in?' "Why was I so stupid?" "Why, why why???"
We gave in because cigarettes were always our coping tool. They always drowned the emotions for us, so we didn't have to feel the pain or stress or anger or emotion of the day. We gave in because we are addicted. We gave in because we weren't prepared.
So how can we get through these really stressful, trying times without running to the store and giving in our old habits? How do we make the "I want to quit" part of our brain yell louder than the 'I need a smoke" part? How do we prepare?
This is where you need your arsenal of quit tools, such as gum, candy, cold water, straws, go for a walk, come here and post,(and wait for five responses) read an inspiring post that you love, have a shower or bath, yell, scream, do the deep breathing, cry your eyes out, write out your feelings, do whatever it takes to get through those few minutes or hours without smoking.
We have to tell ourselves that Smoking is NOT an option. HALT! NOPE!
When you do that, you turn your focus, to what IS an option??? If I cannot smoke, what else can I do to keep me busy and help me get through this? What else can I do to prevent myself from falling in to the trap again? What will it take? What works for me?
For me, it was sucking on a straw (like a cigarette) and telling myself that Smoking is Not an option, and I don't want to go back there ever again, I am an addict and I can never smoke again, letting the tears come, and go. It worked!
Everyone has their own unique bag of tricks for this, and it is part of the secret to staying quit. What will it take for you to say NOPE and mean it?
What can you put in your arsenal of quit tools so that you can make it through any stressful event, even a death in the family?
Take the time to plan ahead, because it will come and you need to be ready. It will make a big difference if you are prepared for this.
For the seasoned quitters here, what tips can you add that helped you through the toughest times?
My Milage:My Quit Date: 3/5/2007
Smoke-Free Days: 942
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 23,550
Amount Saved: $9,938.10
Life Gained:Days: 124
Hrs: 16
Mins: 33
Seconds: 46
