Day 21 Book Recommendation
I recently listened to a great book that holds a key insight for quitting smoking: Standing on the Edge: Finding Freedom Where Fear and Courage Meet by Joan Halifax. It talks about the importance of boundaries and thresholds, which is crucial during the identity shift of quitting. The quality that resonated most with me from the book was empathetic distress. This happens when you get lost in someone else's emotions and can't regulate or come back to your own center. This was a huge part of my addiction. I didn't know how to disconnect from others' needs and create space for myself, other than by smoking. In a twisted way, that cigarette felt like my me time. It was the only moment I put myself ahead of everyone else. Logically, smoking makes no sense, but emotionally, it met a need. This book guides you to find a healthy balance with even seemingly good qualities like empathy or compassion. You can create true, lasting boundaries without harming yourself. Check out this book! It's so important to explore this self-understanding to quit in a lasting and meaningful way.