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Share your quitting journey

No Man's Land Weekly Blog -- the Holidays are here!

SarahP
Member
0 2 6

We do this blog every Wednesday afternoon to offer encouragement to those in No Man’s Land -- months 2-3-4 of a quit, give or take a couple of weeks. This community has chosen to put a big, bright spotlight on NML – we’ve chased away the shadows, taken away the mystery, and put a lot of effort into bringing people in NML together. Because we understand that quitting isn’t over in a month.

Everyone who goes through NML blazes a trail for those that follow. You are not alone on this journey, and you never will be!

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This week, I though it would be worth repeating the "Seasonal Firsts" blog from last month. I hope everyone has a truly enjoyable holiday!

Seasonal Firsts -- the Holidays


On this site, you’ll see lots of blogs about the holidays and dealing with seasonal “firsts” in your quit. This is such an important topic, especially for those in the first year of their quits.


We are creatures of habit – we establish patterns and connections for ourselves, and those patterns will try to repeat until we replace them with a new pattern. That is why “firsts” are so important to understand. If this will be your first smoke-free Christmas and New Year, you will face triggers you thought were behind you. The family gathering. The smoking-buddy cousin you haven’t seen since last year. Stress. Alcohol. There is also an added depression and loneliness that this time of year brings for many people. All quitters, but especially those in NML, need to be vigilant about protecting our quits at time like this.  


Get through these “firsts” in your quit and forge the new patterns in your mind. Break the old associations with smoking. It will get easier each time you do it! 


Revel in your joys, whether they come from faith, family, or friends. Appreciate the beauty around you, whether it’s festive lights on a palm tree or a blanket of snow on the ground. And if stress comes, just remember that smoking is not an acceptable way to deal with stress. Put your tools to use; re-read the materials if you need some re-motivation (Allen Carr, whyquit.com, quitsmokingonline.com, etc). Find a buddy here that you can exchange cell phone numbers with, in case you’re traveling and it’s not easy to get to a computer. 


Your first smoke-free Christmas will become your first smoke-free New Year’s Eve, and you’ll be starting 2015 as a healthier, happier person!  Keep that big picture in mind and be PROUD of your new smoke-free self! 


If you’re in NML, give a shout!  Tell us how long you’ve been quit, and what you’re most looking forward to about the upcoming holidays! Reach out and find each other, this is a great place for support!    

 

                                                           

                                                           

 

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Click here to read the original No Man’s Land blog on Dale's page:
https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/blogs/jonescarp.aka.dale.Jan_2007-blog/2011/05/24/no-mans-land-da...

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