Read a member curated list of EX Community content over 10+ years
We always say on the site to read the info the site has to offer and other links we give you. Reading the blogs of our members gives you knowledge of their experiences. Learning about our addiction, the triggers and how to react in certain situations is equipping us for our journey. You will go through NML
( No Mans Land) days 30-130 of your quit where your emotions run high. It's at this point in your quit, if you haven't educated yourself with the info, you could lose your quit. In all my previous quits, I never knew much about my addiction and they ended up as failures. This time I did it the right way and am still quit to this day. Be smart this time!
If you lack faith in your quit, you tend to worry, have anxiety and become more controlled by your circumstances because we aren't confident in the outcome. We need to believe in ourselves that we can do this!
3. COURAGE
It is the mental or moral state to face fear, difficulty and to keep moving on. For example, the initial phase of our quit, where we decide to set that date and start is the easy part. But as days go on, we get a higher resistance from our body and mind. The challenge is to get through this part of the phase. The resistance will increase but we must continue and never give up. At some point the resistance will get weaker and the going will be easier. Through this process, we become stronger.
4. USING WISDOM
The ability to discern or judge what is true, right, or lasting. If you know or have those feelings that something just isn't right or you have a fear something is going to happen that might jeopardize your quit. DON'T DO IT!! For example, if you always drink and smoke together, going to a party isn't a good idea in the beginning unless you are saying no to the alcohol. Even then, you are still in that social setting and you are putting yourself at RISK. Is it worth it?
5. BEING OPTIMISTIC
It ultimately means the best possible outcome of any given situation. We can either lift people up or drag them down. How you react to circumstances affects other people. Everybody has an influence on somebody. To become a more positive person, we must replace every negative thought with a positive one. Examples, I can't do this, I just want to give up = yes I can do this! I will try. I hope I can stop smoking = I will stop smoking. We really need to reprogram our minds. This doesn't just apply in our quits but in our lives. It helps us to become a happier person.
http://media.wix.com/ugd/74fa87_2010cc5496521431188f905b7234a829.pdf
Videos
/blogs/SkyGirl-blog/2013/11/06/dear-friends-family-heres-what-to-expect-from-me-while-i-quit
/blogs/ShawnP-blog/2012/10/20/putting-a-stop-to-smoky-thinking
/blogs/ShawnP-blog/2013/06/24/attention-newbies-read-this-first
Law of Addiction
https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/groups/best-of-ex/blog/2013/12/05/the-two-sets-of-seasons
/blogs/Storm.3.1.14-blog/2014/07/18/the-version-of-us
Quit Kit
thanks shawn♥
This is a very good blog Shawn! It should be reposted on a regular basis!
Or send our new people links to it!
Thanks, Shawn, I needed a brush up on my thoughts. Very good post.
Awesome post Shawn! Thanks for sharing!
great blog Shawn
Renee 20 days
Thanks Shawn. I feel like a sponge some days when I come on here and read. I soaked this one up.
Thanks Shawn for this wonderful blog.
Shawn, is there any way that you can post this Monday mornings? My research states that Monday mornings is when the most people who want to quit seek help! And I can't think of a better well thought out blog for them to see! Hoepfully Cas will see this and post it on home page! Thanks for taking the time and thoughtfulness to write this! Big Hugs!