Give and get support around quitting
I start this blog with this thought….it will get better (without smoking), if we let it. We often equate quitting smoking to riding a roller coaster. Guess what? So is life! We can be up in the morning, down in the afternoon and back on top by nightfall. Our emotions can flip from angry to happy, frustrated to calm, depressed to euphoric and vice versa.
My day started with hopeful elation. However, by sundown I was upset and left the house angry with hurt feelings. I did not have any particular destination but just wanted to get away. It was raining. I shook my head for coming out in the misty rain. As I was driving I remembered, this would have been one of those times I smoked but my nonsmoking brain did a reverse trigger and said “SINAO” smoking is not an option. What am I going to do? I felt like crying. I had reached my limit thinking no one really understood what was going on in my life and their needs are more important. (Good Pity Party Item)
I pulled into a store parking lot. I tried to think of something I needed to purchase but the rained deterred me from going inside. I reached out to a friend via telephone, no answer. Oh well, I just sat there listened to the radio and watched the rain fall. Talked to myself about what I was going through, shed a few tears but SINAO Within 35 minutes I returned home laid down to rest for a few minutes. Now I am better and SINAO
We have programmed to react to problems, stress, and crisis with a cigarette. As nonsmokers we are learning to deal with our emotions without nicotine because SINAO. As a nonsmoker the level of stress is much less without a cigarette. Lesson to remember: CIGS + STRESS=MORE STRESS. If you do not smoke you are able to think more clearly. If we wait it out with NOPE “not one puff” we will get over it. Those moments of anger, frustration, depression they are not going to last forever. We can take a walk and forget it. Take a drive and relieve it or just breathe. Find what works for you so SINAO and things will get better.
IF YOU DON'T SMOKE
I'm sorry you're hurting. But as we have learned - smoking never relieves anything but the need for smoking.
Crying, however, can relieve all the built-up hurt, anger, frustration. It's a pity more men don't have that outlet for themselves. We're lucky that way. As long as we don't dwell there.
Awesome blog. I always walk away from a stressful situation. Even if for only a few minutes it seems to help.
Terry
You totally ROCKED the situation, Jackie! I know you're a "delivered" woman, so I wasn't surprised to see you practice your quit-saving alternative skills. But, I'm most proud that you shared this with those behind us, and DEMONSTRATED HOW we can ALL handle tough moments in better ways. Thank you!
Thanks for sharing with those of us that are still learning how to handle tough situations, Jackie! You are a winner! Have a great weekend! Love ya lots!
I Won't Quit on my Quit!
this is what I needed to read to reaffirm that this is all part of the circle of recovery