Been Smoking Recently?
Today it is two years since I stopped smoking. Or maybe I should rather say that I have not smoked for two years - I’m not sure if I really have stopped. I still crave for a cigarette every day.
I’m done with tobacco but I don’t know if tobacco is done with me yet. The truth is that I have a love/hate relationship with tobacco and this is the sixth time that I have ‘stopped smoking’ during the last thirty years. The previous attempts lasted for 5 years, 2 years, 2 years, 1 year and 1 year respectively. And then there were at least ten other attempts that did not last for three months so not even worth counting.
Actually, it had never been difficult to stop. I only need to get my head right. The problem is to keep it up. And I always start smoking again in the same way; a good party, a few brandies; I light a few cigarettes for somebody and before the party ends I’ll bum a cigarette off somebody. On my way home I’ll buy a packet.
I’m doing it slightly differently this time, so I hope to win this time around. I don’t try to avoid smokers and their smoke and I keep a few cigarettes in my house at all times. If my friends smoke them all, I simply buy another packet. This way I feel that I’m in control and not the cigarette. A few times I was very tempted but I managed to resist the craving and hopefully, no party will twist my arm this time, no matter how good it is.
Strangely, it was so much easier to stop drinking. I gave up drinking forty years ago and I’m so happy about that, I celebrate it with a few stiff brandies whenever the occasion arises.
Have a great day out there!
Comments (31)
Isn't hashish illegal in the USA.
One has to celebrate such achievements, not so?
That would be enough to put me off smoking for life.
MiMi smokes only ‘cigar’, occasionally
Catfoot
Cigars can be a serious health hazard.
That's it. Only one cigarette away. I don't understand it. My sister can smoke three or four a day and even skip a few days. Not this guy. If I smoke it is 20 a day!
Hmm, the other times I avoided secondary smoke and it got me nowhere. My reasoning this time is to get used to the temptation. With regards to my friends' smoking habits, I buy the cigarettes for me and if they smoke them then it is on them. Smoking, like any other vice, is an option. It is their choice to smoke.
I'm not into drugs and at my age, it is not likely that I change that. I tried marijuana when I was young but I did not like it. It made me paranoid.
What worries me is that I once stopped for five years and started again. I would not want that to happen.
I quit in '84 cold turkey.
There are still moments I would like a smoke, but I know the first one will taste bad the second one better, and the third would get me right back, at least that is what I believe.
I am thankful I am no longer smoking that is for sure
Well, you have certainly kicked the habit.
It's about the same here. But not of those things spurred me to stop. I just got fed up. I do hope to stop it permanently this time.
I am not bothered if someone smokes near me, and I don't have the "need to smoke".
Cat,
I think breaking the habit was the hardest. I was over that when the nicotine withdrawal started. Quite frankly, I don't know why I still crave for a cigarette from time to time.
I agree. breaking the habit was the hardest. How did you handle the "not using the smoking hand"?
There is some truth in the joke I made about giving it up and now celebrating it. I used to drink quite a bit
I am kinda with you...I have quit a couple times, with the longest being 2 years...and next longest 6 months. Both times, I have learned some lessons. 1. It only takes one cigarette to get hooked again. 2. Don't go out drinking alcohol without being mentally prepared to refuse a cigarette.
This time, I have been done for a little over a year. I highly respect the way and reason I quit and I will never turn back to smoking again. But like you, even the thought for a cigarette gets the juices in my mouth activated. However, I knew what I went through this last time I quit....nothing fun. So, as I have the juices flowing in my mouth, I know for 100% fact that today I have it a lot easier to deny myself a smoke.
Not to mention....I don't smell like a cigarette.
.....my teeth are clean white
.....food taste better
.....with just one year, I have about $4000.00 extra in my pocket
....no more late night runs out to buy cigarettes...even if I have to travel 30 miles for them
....I can breath much better in the morning
.....and I know smokers and every time I hear them coughing, I thank God I was able to stop
....and actually I thank another special woman in my life who encouraged me to quit too. :)
....so Cat...I would vote to stay on the side of non-smoking.
Good luck to you.
I'm not buying it for them. they're asking for it and it is not against the law to smoke. If you feel it is wrong then good for you; you're entitled to your opinion as I am entitled to mine.
if we were ment to smoke I guess we would have a chimney.
And if we were made to commute we would have had wheels iso feet.
You need to motivate yourself first. Once your head is right it is amazingly easy to stop. The real problems start a few days later. The crunch comes when you start craving for a smoke. But once again, if you got your head right, it is a bit easier.