1 Month Done - Now What?

[Reciprocity]

OK so now you have completed that most difficult 1st Month of your quit. Well Done! That first Month is really tough. It's like running a marathon as a completely different, non smoking, being :o At the end of it, you are exhausted and just want everything to be normal again. 

 

Things do start to settle down at this point or they have for a little while. You have educated yourself about this deadly addiction and have developed your own set of tools to help yourself deal with cravings when they come upon you, unannounced, and threaten to ruin your quit that you have worked so hard to achieve. You're starting to feel confident and proud of yourself and, rightly so! But, you've been noticing that something is different now.

 

When you first decided to quit, you announced to your family, friends, coworkers and others your intentions to improve your life and your health. They were happy for you. They were all initially attentive and eager to verbalize their support any chance the had to do that. You felt special. It was likely just what you needed while you were doing battle with the addiction that was threatening your very life. You were under siege from an addiction that was strong and crafty, trying to trick you into feeding it each and every time you felt weakness whether due to some unexpected life situation or just being tired of fighting during the first month. Yes, this support from everyone close to you was just what you needed!

 

Now as you travel into your 2nd and 3rd month, all that support seems to have faded like the smell of fresh cut grass on a summer's morning. OK - you have come through the most difficult part of your quit but, you still aren't there; not completely there anyway. You still have cravings from time to time. You still have lots of thoughts about smoking. You feel you have control over those things but ....... where has all that support gone? Now, relatives, friends and coworkers seem to have the attitude that you should just be over it by now, but, you're not. You know you're not completely there yet. You're not going to be completely there until you've gone through a whole year of potential triggers. You know, those seasonal changes that can create triggers out of nowhere that might hit you at a weak moment and make you think; I can have just one. Look how far I've come. One won't hurt :) Don't be fooled my friend. That one will turn into many. Just ask someone who has relapsed after 1 year or 2 years. It happens when you don't remain committed.

 

So, where do you go for your support after 1 month smoke free. You come here! You come to a place where like-minded people reside eager to commend you on your accomplishments and a place where people understand exactly what you are going through and exactly how you're feeling.

 

Be ever on guard and nurture that early quit. Stay with us and participate to not only protect your own quit but to nurture others that are coming along behind you. That too will help to solidify YOUR quit. It's easy and, it's free!

 

Congratulations on making it through the most difficult month. Now go forward and make it stronger and rely on us for support as you have in the past.

 

(Sorry for the long preachy post :unsure: )

[Devil Doll]

The first month is a feat unto itself but don't let down your guard this can be tricky for awhile. I will be completely honest, I had a hell of time right up until 10 months. Keep coming here and talking about it, I guarantee you that you will find at least one person who was exactly where you are feeling exactly what you are feeling, whether it be good or bad.

[Stewie]

Daaamn, im with pig lover and DD, i had one hell of a time the first 5 months and i had to stick with every ammunition i could. Internet forums helped a lot. I remember on christmas day 8 months into my quit right after the best dinner ever i had such a feeling to have a smoke. After one month, you make it to two months thats how it works. And i would say, stick with us friends for the first whole year.

[Doreensfree]

What a brilliant post..love it ...love it..

After smoking my way through 5 decades..my quit was never going to be ..A Walk In The Park !!!!

I hung around with the good folks here..sometimes nearly 24 hrs a day..

I listened,to all the advice offered...taking it minute by minute some days...

I knew there was no turning back..i had fought to hard..just to throw it all away..

Then one day..it was as if a light bulb had been switched on ,in my brain..I got it..

Fight...fight this monster...

[Nancy]

Wonderful post.

[Reciprocity]

.

Fight...fight this monster...

This is it in a nutshell. Never give up not matter what; no matter when!

[Boo]

Now as you travel into your 2nd and 3rd month, all that support seems to have faded like the smell of fresh cut grass on a summer's morning. OK - you have come through the most difficult part of your quit but, you still aren't there; not completely there anyway. You still have cravings from time to time. You still have lots of thoughts about smoking. You feel you have control over those things but ....... where has all that support gone? Now, relatives, friends and coworkers seem to have the attitude that you should just be over it by now, but, you're not. You know you're not completely there yet. You're not going to be completely there until you've gone through a whole year of potential triggers. You know, those seasonal changes that can create triggers out of nowhere that might hit you at a weak moment and make you think; I can have just one. Look how far I've come. One won't hurt :) Don't be fooled my friend. That one will turn into many. Just ask someone who has relapsed after 1 year or 2 years. It happens when you don't remain committed.

 

The external validation will cease.  It always does.  That's why I suggest quitters quit for themselves.  Make the process a deeply personal one and treat the quit as a commitment to yourself.  As much as is possible, block out the outside factors that are beyond your control.  Things are much simpler that way.