In addiction recovery circles, especially Alcoholics Anonymous, there is something called “fake it ‘til you make it.” On days burdened with stress or urges or doubt or temptations, “faking it” encourages a recovering addict to lift their heads up, say the right things, go through the right motions, hold on tight, “make it“ through…and NOT use the drug of choice, no matter what. You see, if standing still and pretending to be okay gets an addict safely through a temporary rough patch, then it’s worth putting on that brave charade.
Now, I have noticed, over the course of my 900 days, a phenomenon I call “fake it ‘til you break it.” That’s when an EXer is genuinely thrilled to go without cigarettes for a few days or weeks…just as long as everything stays smooth and fun. They enjoy the process for a comfortable length of time, but the moment adversity confronts them, there seems to be no foundation of strength to rely upon. You see, a brave “fake it” is only meant to rescue an addict from tough moments ; it’s not a realistic survival skill for making it all the way through a life-long quit.
You want to know how I made it to 900 days? Well, before I even started studying for my Quit Day, I swore to myself that I would willingly experience anything my new quit required. I didn’t know if I was going to breeze through this latest quit attempt, or end up sweating and shaking on the floor, clawing at the carpet. But, it didn’t matter ; I got prepared to handle both, so I was ready to take either one.
Guess you could say I was a believer in yet a third mindset : “Take it ‘til you make it.”
By the way, with knowledge in my head, skills in my fists, a Quit Buddy at my side, and an army of EXers behind me, “Nicodemon” didn’t stand a chance. My quit hasn‘t been “easy“ or “hard“, it‘s been… ALIVE! My recovery was - and is! - dynamic, and I don’t call it My Living Quit for nothing.
So, take all of your quit as it comes, and make your quit into what it should be. Fake it, if you must, ‘til you get a better grip, then make it move forward.
Or crack under pressure, and break it.
Choices : You chose to quit, so choose to work it, and to own it, and to live up to it. All of it.
STORM: 900
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