GareK's Garret

The step down from 14 mg to 7 has been the most challenging time of my Quit since I conquered D3. Having said that, I'll also say this week, though challenging, hasn't been one quarter the shock to me that D3 had been. I think this is because I'm staying ready for anything.

D1 and D2 were exciting days. It's even possible that I was so ramped about my actual Quit Date arriving and doing what it was I'd been wanting to do for so long, I really flew through the first two days on adrenaline. Quite possibly, was the first day I allowed myself to actually feel the effects of starving my addiction to death.

But I'm past a month now, and even though my Quit has been as kind to me as a summer's breeze, I've remained watchful. This week has been the payoff. It's still challenging. I still know I'm quitting - really alot! But I'm not shaky in my resolve and I'm not tearing out my hair. I was, more or less, ready for this week.

I can't stress it enough. If you are quitting, prepare yourself. I don't want you to read that in a doom and gloom kind of voice - I mean that in a "boy scout motto" kind of voice. Somebody or another once said "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail." That goes double for nurturing a Quit.

Believe that statement. Even if you have to postpone your Quit Date for a while to prepare - you're much better off if you do so. Part of devising your plan is to create your Quit Kits, your list of methods of dealing with craves and waves, creating your Flash Cards, gathering a support system, both in 3D (real life) and online, and preparing your loved ones for the roller coaster ride.

Another part of the planning stage is to educate yourself. I did what I considered a great deal of studying about quitting, and I can tell you now, 34 days in to my Quit, I didn't study as extensively as I thought I had. Fortunately, I found the Q within the first week of my Quit, so I got to catch up with a good support group taking every step along with me. I will always hold the Q'sters high in thankfulness and praise. What a tremendous help my Quit Buddies have been, and the Q-mmunity at large as well.

So, study and read and research and read and study some more, go to the Q and begin talking with people well before your Quit date because you'll learn more from people in the middle of a Quit than you ever will anywhere else. While you're there, learn about preparing your tools and your Quit Kit, etc. And no matter how kind your Quit is to you, no matter how long you go thinking "This is easy..." - stay vigilent and your Inner Addict won't have a chance to trip you up.

Enough advice! Somebody in forum said that they thought California was going to ban smoking altogether, even in the privacy of your home. I'm going to Google that right quick to see if there's any truth to it... Click the "more" link to see what I found out!