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 mush 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, 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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