Know Thy Self

This quote's sentiment can be important in quitting tobacco. It takes knowing yourself and why and when you smoke to be able to quit. In December I suggested writing in a journal, which I think is a good way to learn about yourself. This can be especially helpful when you delve into stressful situations and explore how and when you turn to tobacco.

There are also routines and rituals that are part of using addictive substances like tobacco. These can be times that a person always uses tobacco, an example of this would be after dinner or while talking on the phone. It can also be the routines used when smoking, how a cigarette is held, lit and smoked. These are all routines that are comforting and used to emotionally satisfy.

Many people think of cigarettes or tobacco as their best friend. It seems to meet emotional needs and to reduce stress. The relationship a person has to smoking needs to be explored before it can be stopped. It helps to explore your need for tobacco; the physical and emotional addictions that often coexist and make quitting difficult.

I encourage you to think about, write about and talk about the ways that tobacco meets needs in coping with stress, routines that are comforting, and thoughts about when smoking is most important to you. When you know more about all of these things then you will be able to find other ways to handle stress and develop other comforting routines. Defining why smoking is important to you helps clarify what you need to do to quit and helps you also clarify why quitting is important to you. Know Thy Self and to Your Own self Be True.