Greatest Challenge @ 5.5 Months

[Ramona]

Just experienced a week which proved most threatening to my quit thus far.  This has been the case for me in the past as well.  Seems I can breeze through the beginning.  But persevering ~ months 5-10 feels like crawling through a synaptic land mine.  Or dodging emotional-memory-snipers.

 

I know this happens because I grow complacent.  To a large degree my quit has become normalized...I'm actually almost comfortable. This is where the emotional/psychological triggers hit me harder than ever.  ARGH & OUCH!  Very frustrating.  It's not that these craves are stronger, it's just that my defenses are lowered.

 

I write this not for sympathy or confirmation but as a warning to others.  For some, not all, the real challenge happens later in the game.  It is commonly commented upon and accepted that:

 

"we don't want to go back to that first hell week." 

 

And of course we don't!!  But this past week was harder (for me) than Week #1.  No lie.  

 

Onward.  Choo-choo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[babs609]

this too shall pass!  Every time you overcome a challenge..it just makes you that much stronger...and your quit more solid. 

 

You will never smoke again, TEW!!

[JackiMac]

I too find that as my quit progresses it seems to become harder, and that is where my relapses have occured in the past, this time I intend to re-affirm my NOPE each and every day and know that the craves will pass.  I think it is because as you say we become complacent, shouldn;t we really be past this stage by now?  We have to understand that the addiction still has a hold on us, although we may not feel it, or sense it some days, it is still there in the background just waiting to pounce on us when we are weak, we must remain strong, we must make our voice louder than the addiction.  Be determined to succeed and as time goes on our strength will grow, KTQ TEW  :wub: xxx

[beacon]

There will come a time where you will not be thinking about it. Or it is a fleeting thought easily dismissed, or a thought that makes you feel ill. Only by persevering do you come out on the other side. You are both remainig diligent, putting your quit first for a year while you grow stronger. You are both being mindful .

[Pippa]

Hey TEW - I'm really sorry you are facing challenges but I am comforted no end by how aware this post is and know that as a result you will stay strong. Many of us struggled around the 6 month mark - so we do know how you are feeling ... So remember we are here for support if you need it xx

[Still winning]

I want to re assure you that the point we have failed in the past normally tries to present us with some stronger triggers. There were also bad weeks for us too as others have agreed above. 

 

My advice, if you would like it, is to try and really remember how week 1 felt for a moment and realize this is a different test. It is absolutely easy to become complacent. Don't do that! I see a mindful and aware post from you here. It's also good for others to read. It can feel pretty lonely where it's not new and shiny anymore. Kinda like hey, where my brass band as friends and family just go oh still quit, good...and move on. So this is me with my pom poms for you shouting YOU ARE DOING IT, GREAT JOB!!

 

Still celebrate every milestone, with us and yourself. Write down every fabulous day, somewhere and it helps to go back and see it on a bad day.Maybe add a ticker to show how many cigs you haven't smoked by being quit this long.  That stat always blew me away! Celebrate some and it will feel more balanced. Either way, this too shall pass! Guided me through some fabulous and cruddy times.

 

XX

[Tink]

Between 6 and 8 months were hard for me and my biggest test, it's the time we have to pull together all we have learned and all we have been through and hang on tight, the storm will pass but if you let go you have to start all over again just to get to where you are now

 

Tew hold on with all you have x

[Ramona]

Thanks so much for your encouraging reminders!  Marti, people in my life have been like that: "Oh, still quit...good."  They have no idea what that means for me and how hard it has been - - but you guys do!  The support here is incredible.  And to hear the replies from people who have accomplished 1 + years!  You guys know what's up.  

 

I feel stronger.  I'm not 100% out of this recent "trigger forest" but I will be soon enough.  I'm trying to pool my resolve & resources in order to move forward.  

 

Again, thank you all for the support.

[Still winning]

Thanks so much for your encouraging reminders!  Marti, people in my life have been like that: "Oh, still quit...good."  They have no idea what that means for me and how hard it has been - - but you guys do!  The support here is incredible.  And to hear the replies from people who have accomplished 1 + years!  You guys know what's up.  

 

I feel stronger.  I'm not 100% out of this recent "trigger forest" but I will be soon enough.  I'm trying to pool my resolve & resources in order to move forward.  

 

Again, thank you all for the support.

 

Part of me was really peed off at that response too! I'm not nice like you though, I wanted to twat em over the head with a bat :)  

 

Make yourself accountable somewhere. To you, to another on this board, any of us will stand for you, or ask someone close to your own time. That helps too when you feel wobbly to have someone to chat too. x

[Tyme2B]

You are doing a wonderful job TEW! We are all proud of you and you certainly should be very proud of yourself. You have resisted temptation & guarded your Quit. I have read on this site & others about struggling at the point you are at now. Takes special people to resist & you are special ☺

[babs609]

, I wanted to twat em over the head with a bat :)

this made me laugh....twat...bwahahahahaha

 

yep....friends and family don't get it

your QT family does...that's why we are here...

 

I remember when I said to my son who was 16 at the time when I was about a month quit..I said..."aren't you proud of me??  I've gone 30 days without a cigarette"

 

His response?   "aren't you proud of me?  I've gone 16 years"

 

Brat!

 

lol

[Tyme2B]

You are doing a wonderful job TEW! We are all proud of you and you certainly should be very proud of yourself. You have resisted temptation & guarded your Quit. I have read on this site & others about struggling at the point you are at now. Takes special people to resist & you are special ☺

Yes! We understand the strength it takes to Quit & face the challenges to maintain it. And we are ALL herd to support you! Thanks for the warning. I wish I HAD been better prepared from the start but I figured it out eventually. Good job TEW xx