It has been four and a half years since I've quit smoking occasionally the time arises that I still want a cigarette. I discovered right away on my first attempt at quitting, that I used cigarettes as a reward. I'd wash the dishes, have a smoke. I'd make beds, put away laundry, come downstairs and have a smoke. You get the picture. It is still a trigger for me when I've really worked hard and for an extended time.
I am having a dinner party so I first began the work in the kitchen. A friend who has an allergy to cats is staying the night. Every time she visits I vacuum everything downstairs. I did that and since she is staying the night, I thoroughly cleaned a bedroom - washed sheets and hung them on the line. I mopped the whole downstairs which worked my way outside where I gardened!!!!!! All that work without stopping really triggered an urge to sit down and relax with a smoke.
So I'm here...
It is beautiful, sunny and twelve degrees. It feels cooler though as there is a north wind chasing the day. The cats have loved it as I have all the doors open. My daughter's dog clawed through a screen door last summer. The door is still not fixed so the cats are having a ball coming in and out all day. I'm sure they would prefer I kept it a permanent feature to the house.
I am expecting guests soon so must make this quick. Music. I'm featuring duets today. Bing Crosby and Les Paul are singing It's Been a Long Long Time. That's to acknowledge and celebrate my ending cigarette smoking. Anne and Pete Sibley sing Pick Up These Chains. You see, besides thinking of the chains of an addiction, I was moving all manner of rusty metal things around in a garden today. The photo is of a few of the pieces last year.
7 comments:
I smoked like a chimney for 20 years--not, in retrospect, out of addiction, but from compulsion. I almost always had a cigarette lit, and when I drank it was even worse. Always hated it, knew I was ruining my health, the smell was gross, etc., etc. Finally the Smokenders program came to where I was working, ffering free stop-smoking classes. I went, and I stopped, just like that. What worked for me was a rubber band on my wrist. Whenever I wanted a cigarette, I snappped the band, hard, so it hurt. The momentary pain was enough to turn my thoughts from smoking. That is in 1984. I backslid a couple of times early on, but basically haven't smoked since then, and I'm so glad.
Two friends quit through Smokenders in 82. Another friend used the rubber band method. I tried to quit about 15 times but always returned. i never will smoke again though because at this point it is a choice and I am choosing to never smoke again. Best thing I ever did.
This is a great post - and enjoyed the musical picks! My sister has really struggled with smoking addiction. She is currently off the wagon again. I will try to have her read this for inspiration.
Thanks, nan. I finally got that is was simply a choice. You just have to change your mind about what you're doing.
Congratulations on quitting smoking! Working in the medical field, I can't count the number of patients admitted to the hospital with pneumonia, bronchitis, emphysema, etc. who refuse to stop even though it is killing them. I am proud of whoever is successful in smoking cessation!
Thanks, Carol. I smoked for forty years and will never again.
I quit 8.5 years ago after smoking for 16 years. Only regret is the weight I put on afterwards, but my will to quit smoking is greater than my will to exercise!
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