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’s topic: Kick it to the Curb!
One of the critical tools for a new quitter is the method of ignoring a craving – ignoring your inner junkie when they start squawking, turning your back on smoking thoughts, dismissing them instantly because you don’t do that anymore. Well, that will continue to be the most critical tool in your toolbox as your quit progresses. So let’s talk about it – are you using the “kick it to the curb” method of controlling your thoughts?
When you are faced with a craving or temptation, your most likely response is to start running through options and arguments in your head. Namely, “what should I do to get past this craving??” If you have decided that you don’t smoke anymore, then you will know exactly what to do – don’t smoke. You will find another way to ride it out, because you have already decided, committed, ahead of time, that smoking is not an option. Period.
If I’ve decided I don’t smoke anymore, then when I have a temptation to smoke, I’ll know exactly what to do. I will instantly and irrevocably reject the thought. I’ll say it out loud if I need to – “Nope, I don’t do that anymore”. No hesitation, no debate. Kick it to the curb, and get on with my day. As I get more experienced in my quit, this will become easier and easier. Every time I practice this behavior it will get a little more automatic, until it becomes second nature.
Don’t fight it head-on. Don’t let it hold you in place. Kick it to the curb, and move on.
No Man’s Land can be a dangerous place for a variety of reasons, mostly because of the sneak-attack smoking thought that can come from sudden stress. “Kicking it to the curb” is the antidote. Are you using it?
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If you're in NML right now, give a shout! Reach out and find each other!
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...
