Embracing Your Everest Within
Embracing Your Everest Within: The Journey of Quitting Smoking and Vaping
God Designed Us for Healing and Recovery: Defying Big Tobacco and Big Pharma's Role in the Quitting Journey
Jan 02, 2024
Image iStock: Mount Fujiyama - represents my Everest Within
To say I'm accident-prone would be an understatement. My life has been marked by numerous challenges, including three head traumas by the age of twelve. Then, in 1990, I experienced an acute frontal lobe brain injury that significantly impacted my relationships and career. Since that accident, I've continued to have more concussions, which is not usual, given the challenges of loss of balance, poor depth perception, lack of awareness of my surroundings, and actual accidents involving vehicles.
The image above is also on my Facebook page. Mount Fujiyama holds special significance for me. It symbolizes the 'Everest Within,' representing the mountain I've been climbing since December 26, 1990. Positioned in the background, it captures the ongoing journey of challenges and triumphs. The water in the foreground illustrates the hurdles I face, akin to walking through water, especially during tough times when I need self-care activities, like taking pain relief or having a daytime sleep.
In 2017, the cherry blossoms of hope and renewal began blooming in my life. Meeting Dr Gil Newburn, Neuropsychiatrist, marked a turning point. His expertise and support turned my life around, allowing me to appreciate the blessings once more—my daughters and their families, my supportive mother, siblings, friends, and the joyous presence of my German Shepherd Sophie.
I want to emphasize that without the ever-present strength of God, I wouldn't have survived the challenges posed by my head injury recovery journey. Sadly, as a result of the head injuries, I have made bad decisions and caused myself and others pain. Most of my life has been lived in debilitating pain in my head, which I now can drug down - thank God!
Do you have an Everest Within? What has made you strong? You can use what you have been through in life to help you stop smoking or vaping.
Embarking on the journey to quit smoking is like ascending a challenging mountain, where setbacks are akin to unexpected storms. Just as climbers face obstacles on Mount Everest, you, too, may encounter hurdles on your path to quitting. You don’t turn back in a storm; you hunker down and ride it out.
That is why it is important to set goals and know how they can be powerful tools on your quit-smoking journey. Remember, quitting is a process, and every attempt brings you closer to conquering your personal Everest Within.
The Complex Landscape of Quitting:
Imagine your quit date looming on the horizon, both exciting and intimidating. Doubts may creep in – should you delay until after that upcoming work event? What about those cigarettes Joe brought back from his travels? These uncertainties are common, and grappling with conflicting thoughts is okay. In fact, 90% of successful quitters have faced similar dilemmas. The key is recognizing these challenges and using them as opportunities to strengthen your resolve.
Learning from Past Attempts:
It is important to acknowledge that quitting smoking often involves multiple attempts. Think of each try as a lesson learned, guiding you toward a more successful outcome. Reflect on your past experiences – what strategies worked? What triggered setbacks? By learning from these moments, you can refine your approach and enhance your chances of lasting success.
Image: Online Quit Coaching support
The Power of Professional Support:
Seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Enlisting the support of a Quit Coach, like me, or a healthcare professional can provide you with tailored guidance and strategies. These experts understand the complexities of nicotine addiction and can help you develop a personalized plan to navigate challenges.
Setting Goals: Your Guiding Light:
Goals serve as beacons of light, guiding you through the fog of uncertainty. They help you define your desires, focus your efforts, and chart a path toward success. Setting clear, specific goals can trigger new behaviors and sustain your momentum. Your journey to quit smoking is no exception – setting goals will give you the structure you need to reach your destination.
Aligning Focus and Boosting Motivation:
Goals provide a framework for aligning your focus and boosting motivation. As you work toward your quit date, each goal achieved reinforces your commitment and self-mastery. Just as climbers visualize their ascent, you can visualize your smokefree life. This mental picture fuels your determination and propels you forward, even when challenges arise.
Overcoming Common Goal-Setting Challenges:
While setting goals is crucial, common obstacles can hinder your progress. Recognizing these challenges and addressing them head-on can make a significant difference in your journey:
Lack of Know-How: Sometimes, the path to quitting seems unclear. This is where professionals like Quit Coaches step in, offering expert guidance tailored to your needs.
Procrastination and Fear of Failure: Don't let the fear of stumbling hold you back. Embrace setbacks as opportunities for growth and keep moving forward.
Environmental Triggers: Identify triggers that lead you to smoke and develop strategies to manage them. Creating a smokefree environment can significantly reduce the urge to smoke. Your environment is one thing you can control.
Immediate Results Expectation: Quitting smoking is a gradual process. Be patient with yourself and celebrate every small victory along the way.
Peer Pressure: Communicate your goals to friends and family, enlisting their support and understanding. Surrounding yourself with a positive network can make a world of difference.
Conclusion:
Your Everest Within — the journey to quit smoking — starts with a single step, and every step counts. You've got this. This is a path of self-discovery, resilience, and transformation.
Setbacks are part of the process, and each attempt brings you closer to reaching your summit.
By setting goals, seeking professional support, and staying focused, you are equipping yourself with the tools needed to overcome challenges and emerge victorious.
Remember, you can ascend your Everest Within and embrace a smokefree life as an ex-smoker. You will soon be saying with confidence: “I love not smoking!”
To this day — 35 years and counting since I finally stopped smoking — I still sing out loud and triumphantly: F R E E D O M!
📚 Exciting News: How To Stop Smoking and Vaping For Good: Your Step-By-Step Guide is- Now Available on Amazon!
This self-help guide encapsulates my program, The Smokefree System: Taking Back Control, which has helped people go smokefree since 2000.
It’s also a valuable resource for health professionals, parents, or anyone supporting someone on the quitting journey — offering insight, understanding, and practical advice.
🌟 How You Can Support:
Get Your Copy: Head over to Amazon and grab your copy today.
Read & Enjoy: Dive into the transformative content designed to guide you through the quitting process.
Spread the Word: Tell your family and friends about QuitStrong.org, where I’ve placed numerous free resources for smokers and vapers. You’ll also find access to my paid program for personalized coaching and support.
Leave a Review: If you find the book helpful, please consider leaving a review on Amazon. Your feedback means the world to me — and it shows others there’s an alternative to Allen Carr’s books.
Thank you for being an incredible part of this community. Let's spread the message of hope and empowerment together!
Warm Regards
QuitCoach Sue
