Rule #2: (Don't) Use Any [Excuse] Necessary

Despite the positive end result, quitting is not all fun and games. Many physical symptoms can accompany withdrawal including fatigue, anxiety, depression, hunger, insomnia, and bowel irregularity. This time around, I've been fighting the latter two and this past Tuesday night I got fed up and caved in. All I wanted was to be asleep before 3am and go to the bathroom like I used to be able to. The only immediate cure for these symptoms seemed to be a cigarette, so I had two on Wednesday morning around 2am. Soon thereafter I had a successful bowel movement and went to sleep. Sure, it was a pleasant couple minutes but it was a big step backwards. As I've learned in my class, I needed to evaluate what happened and why.

If you're anything like me, when you really want something you'll do almost anything to get it. Well Tuesday night, my brain really wanted a cigarette and it was going to manipulate my situation any way it could for an excuse to smoke. This is something we're taught to watch for when quitting. I watched for it, saw it, and let it happen. It all started with stressful family interactions. Conversation in the living room and then it was just me watching TV at 1am, wide awake. Sometimes when I can't sleep, I use alcohol for what's called a "night cap". A glass of wine or a beer sometimes helps me fall asleep. Unfortunately, my brain had more in mind than sleep. I was going to drink a glass of wine which would inhibit my judgement just enough so that I couldn't be blamed for smoking. Sure enough, I had my wine and then felt little remorse in digging my cigarettes out of the trash and smoking two.

All this to say, if you're quitting or thinking about it, be wary of making excuses. They sound so good but you and I both know they're not. You can do this.