300 days...It doesn't seem possible that it has been that long. I sometimes can't believe that I've been successful at kicking the bitch out of my life for 10 months. That is about 4 months longer than any of the many other times I tried to quit. Wonder what the difference is? Well, I'm glad you asked.
The difference between this quit and the multiple stops of the past is that I have the best support system a guy could want. KTC and the people that I have met, online and in person have made all the difference between this being a true quit and not just another stoppage. I'm celebrating reaching this point in my quit because of the people who have inspired me. Chewie, Theo3wood, Bait, BJDog, Sir Derek, MFKuss, Sportsfan, Scowick and numerous other people have all played a part. Whether I met you at a meet or you showed your support by sending daily text like Cdaniels, I thank you for being there for me.
So here are a few things I have learned over the last 300 days.
1. Focus on the daily battle. This is a a daily thing. Never look past today. It will only overwhelm you. Like Sportsfan said, "those one day at a times add up".
2. Don't think that reaching a milestone is the end of the road. The battle with the addiction will continue on. In the words of Keddy, "Celebrate your accomplishment and then press on" There are more victories and nic free experiences to have in the future.
3. Try to be a mentor. I have found that trying to mentor someone in their quit makes my own quit that much better. It's another thing that helps hold me accountable.
4. You can't save everyone. I have had several guys that I tried to connect with and mentor fall off the wagon. That is not my fault. It took me a while to figure that out. I kept thinking that if I had tried a little harder to say the right words or made the call a lttle sooner then those guys would not have failed. In the end it is those guys who made the choice to give up and cave to the whore. What we have to do is pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and move on. There are those out there who need us. Find them and keep moving forward with our quit.
5. Remember that this is a daily battle. Dont' think you have won just because you made the hall of fame, reached 300 days or even a comma or half comma. Think you have won and letting your guard down is exactly when the bitch will pounce because that is when we are the most vulnerable. Always guard your quit.
6. Posting may seem crazy to you after so many days, but remember that that is how we give our word to each other. I am not a 100% poster. I have missed a few days. I can tell you that those days are the ones that give me the most trouble. One because I feel like I let myself down, two because I feel like I have let those who are counting on me down. Try to post everyday and as early as possible. It's a pillar of our quit.
Thanks for being part of my quit. I will continue the fight, pressing on towards one year and beyond. One day at a time. Just one day at a time.
Mike
