649 days ago I didn’t believe that I could do this. But I made it through the first day, then another, and another. Time seemed to stand still at first. But the days turned into weeks, and the weeks into months, and the months into 1 year (now almost 2). I cannot say for sure when time stopped standing still or exactly when I started believing that I could do this – but it happened….and that is all that really matters.
Now for protecting this quit – You see, I had made it before for over 2 years smoke free – and like a fool, I threw it away. I still vividly remember picking up that first cigarette after being quit for so long and lighting it. I had just lost my job and “it” was there – within arm’s reach – and I did it without even thinking about it. And I regret it to this day….If I had not thrown that quit away, I would now have over 14 years of freedom! I have learned from this very costly mistake—there is no such thing as “just one” for me. And I will do whatever is necessary to protect this quit because it is worth protecting.
To everyone just beginning, please remember “There is no such thing as just one!” Stick with it and those days will turn into weeks, and the weeks into months, and the months into years! The freedom that you gain is a truly wonderful feeling!
