Can I suggest how I gave up nicotine?
I was so addicted that even the thought of giving up made me want to have more. It was completely impossible for me to give up or even imagine it
So I decided to not give up
I chose instead to make a deal with myself. Every time I chose to vape I set a clock and delayed by 1 minute. This removed the stress of giving up but created a moment of relaxing self observation. When I felt comfortable with the 1 minute delay I kept adding more time. 5 mins, then 6 then 10 then half an hour. Whatever ever felt comfortable.
THEN, what I noticed in those few minutes, I started becoming more aware. Addiction is automated choice making. By creating time (and being relaxed because I wasn't giving up - just delaying), I became more conscious and the auto choice was becoming more like me choosing.
I kept this going for days, week, months. Adding a few more minutes here and there, staying relaxed and observing myself. Growing awareness of myself in a very natural way.
It is now 4 1/2 years since I smoked or vaped. I still haven't given up because if the urge ever hits me I can still have a vape like in 6 weeks (if I really wanted it) but I keep forgetting and it's no big deal anymore.
Jean-Paul's idea is the same because he uses space to create the distance between choice and execution. The principle is the same
Don't give up
Stay relaxed
Create a little gap in time (or space)
Eventually the auto choice becomes conscious choice
And enjoy yourself
Mischa /
npub1ge…q2sw4
2023-02-23 00:35:30
in reply to nevent1q…833x
Author Public Key
npub1ged3dl57synhvwrmry0e96a3j6zpzptc0hmxhfz02ywmxe7mga3svq2sw4Published at
2023-02-23 00:35:30Event JSON
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"content": "Can I suggest how I gave up nicotine?\n\nI was so addicted that even the thought of giving up made me want to have more. It was completely impossible for me to give up or even imagine it\n\nSo I decided to not give up\nI chose instead to make a deal with myself. Every time I chose to vape I set a clock and delayed by 1 minute. This removed the stress of giving up but created a moment of relaxing self observation. When I felt comfortable with the 1 minute delay I kept adding more time. 5 mins, then 6 then 10 then half an hour. Whatever ever felt comfortable.\n\nTHEN, what I noticed in those few minutes, I started becoming more aware. Addiction is automated choice making. By creating time (and being relaxed because I wasn't giving up - just delaying), I became more conscious and the auto choice was becoming more like me choosing.\n\nI kept this going for days, week, months. Adding a few more minutes here and there, staying relaxed and observing myself. Growing awareness of myself in a very natural way. \n\nIt is now 4 1/2 years since I smoked or vaped. I still haven't given up because if the urge ever hits me I can still have a vape like in 6 weeks (if I really wanted it) but I keep forgetting and it's no big deal anymore.\n\nJean-Paul's idea is the same because he uses space to create the distance between choice and execution. The principle is the same\n\nDon't give up\nStay relaxed\nCreate a little gap in time (or space)\nEventually the auto choice becomes conscious choice\nAnd enjoy yourself",
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