No Progress

The term “progress” when used in conjunction with quitting leads very quickly into a gray zone that may be cause for some frustration. Humor me…

Each one of us has our own expectations when we come here to quit. Some know it’s going to be a tough battle while others have some preconceived time frames of when they expect to feel better or when things will get ‘easier’. The problem is that each person’s quit will be different. For me, I didn’t have much fog or headaches but I had strong cravings years into my quit. Other people have extended periods of fog or maybe elevated levels of anxiety. Some quitters really struggle with sleep or appetite while others not so much.

I think that is why here at KTC we push the attitude of ‘one day at a time’ (ODAAT). Today is all we can control. I would argue that every additional day that nicotine is not allowed into your body is progress. For some people, this progress may be like building with tiny Lego bricks. For others, it may be more like using cinder blocks. But this isn’t a race or a competition. We are here to support each other every day as we build and nurture our ODAAT.

So to anyone getting discouraged or frustrated about not seeing “progress”, throw out all preconceived notions of what you thought being quit was going to be like and quit for TODAY. The journey of a thousand miles begins with but a single step. And overcoming nicotine is not so much a sprint as a marathon. Find the positives each day and let your quit grow. In no time you will look back and realize just how far you have come.

I was never able to stop more than 21 days before finding KTC. Today I have the honor and privilege to post Day 1,228 (almost 3.5 years). Progress has been made but I know the journey continues!

NOTE: This piece written by KillTheCan.org forum member MNxEngineer314