8 Years Smoke-Free
A Few Things I Know For Sure...
This past week I celebrated a big milestone -- 8 years since my last cigarette. There was a time when it was hard to imagine 8 days in a row smoke-free, let alone 8 years. Yet, here I am today, looking back with more than a little amazement and so much gratitude at how far I've come.
My quit meter tells me that in the 8 years since I quit, I have NOT smoked over 73,000 cigarettes.
That's a lot of tobacco, but looking at the big picture, it is important to note that the worst of the work associated with quitting - the edginess of nicotine withdrawal and the couple of months beyond it, only involved the first 1000 cigarettes not smoked or so.
By the time I got to the 6 month mark with 4000 cigs not smoked under my belt, any angst over quitting was well behind me. Another 4000 cigs not smoked and I was solidly in the clear.
Small potatoes in the grand scheme of things, wouldn't you say? Perspective is everything.
Speaking of perspective, I'd like to share a few gems of knowledge that smoking cessation has taught me - things that, in looking back on the journey to freedom I've been on, are crystal clear.
Smoking Cessation is a Process, Not an Event!
This was the first lesson I learned when I found the support forum here at About.com Smoking Cessation. Nicotine addiction lets go of us a little at a time. I used to think of quitting as an event - something to be over and done with in a matter of weeks. I failed every time with that mindset. Recovery from this addiction is a process that takes time to unfold. There is no rushing it.
TODAY is All that Matters.
Your power to change your life always lies in the present moments of TODAY. Make the day that you have in front of you right now count and the rest will fall into place. Don't look back in regret or ahead in worry. Just focus on TODAY. As the saying goes...
'Yard by yard, life is hard; inch by inch, it's a cinch.'
Focus on TODAY.
That's all you need to do -- and guess what? It's enough.
If You Want to Change Your Life, Change Your Mind.
True freedom is a state of mind. In order to really shed this addiction in a way that leaves it no room to return to you months or years down the road, you must change what smoking means to you - you must change your personal relationship with smoking. You can abstain from smoking for years, but if you never change the relationship you have with cigarettes, the chains will continue to hold you tight. Change the way you think and you can free yourself in an instant. You'll still have to do the work to undo the years of habit of course, but once you free your mind, you're on your way.
The Journey is Personal.
Smoking cessation takes as long as it takes for you.
Invest in an unbending commitment to stay with your quit program until you break the physical addiction to nicotine and succeed at changing your mind about what smoking means to you. Don't weigh yourself down with expectations about how long that should take - put time on the back burner and be patient. And don't compare your progress to that of anyone else who has quit smoking. Look only at yourself. The process of recovery from this addiction will not fail you if you stick with it for as long as it takes for you.
For those of you who are working hard to quit right now, keep working. Believe me when I tell you that the discomforts you're feeling now are truly fleeting. Stick with the program and work it, one simple day at a time. You'll get to where I am today just as surely as I have.
Breathing deep with gratitude ~ Terry
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Take The Quit Smoking Monday Pledge
Healthy Monday encourages us to think of for ourselves. If you're still smoking, put your cigarettes down and get started on your quit program today.
We all have the ability to quit smoking successfully, and we all deserve a life that is free of addiction. Honor your life by choosing Monday as the day to start and reinforce your quit program.
You can quit smoking ... and we're here to help you, one simple Monday at a time.
Image © healthymonday.org
Terry,
How’s it going? You’re a champ. Contratulations on 8 years.
And thank you for your years of support for all of us here on Smoking Cessation. You’re so important to all uf us.
By the way, I’m coming up on 5 years, only 3 years behind you.
Hugs,
Kevin
Hi Terry…thank you for being an inspiration! And congrats on 8 years! I quit 8 weeks ago and reading your newsletter has helped me so much.
Thanks again!
Hi Terry,
I have been “lurking” on this site for two years and I wanted to tell you that you have truly saved my life – thank you so much. In December it will be two years since I stopped smoking and it’s because of you and your website. I followed your website’s “NOPE” commitment and it’s made all the difference. Keep up your wonderful work and know that you are very appreciated.
With Hugs and Love,
Jo-Anne
Congratulations, Terry! 8 years! That’s amazing! You’re such an inspiration to all of us who are going thought the process of recovery from this horrible addiction. Your advice has been fundamental in helping me go through this process. I am 24 days smoke-free today and I do not think I would have managed without you. THANK YOU for writing and for your support–it is literally saving my life!
Hi Terry,
I stopped 14 years ago after a 40+ year addiction. But I still had that “urge” to smoke another cigarette.
One day about five years ago, I found a book titled “The Easyway to Stop Smoking” by Allen Carr at a book store. I had a very, very difficult time reading it, but when I finally got through it, I no longer have the desire for another cigarette. So for anyone who has stopped smoking but still has that nagging urge, I highly recommend this book for your health, for your peace of mind, and for your long life.
Best wishes and Aloha from Hawaii, Roy.
i left smoking…i feel the difference…every second of my life is now like a fresh dew…thanx to people