I'm not perfect
I'm not perfect. I'm one of those people others might refer to as a bogan. Can of coke in one hand, ciggy in the other. I started seriously smoking when I was working in hot air ballooning. You'd get up at 3/4am and i would have had 2 smokes in the car on the way then at the shed gassing up I'd have another with the boys, the balloons would be in the air and by this point I'd be 5 smokes in.
I fell pregnant and smoked up to 6 months into the pregnancy and only stopped cos I hated the looks I'd get walking up to the smoke counter with an obvious bulge.
When I found out I couldn't breastfeed I took it back up again.
These looks now have transpired into full blown obvious obnoxious coughing by onlookers - it's embarrassing and frustrating because those do-golfers have no idea the fixation that goes on with smoking.
You know 'those' people right?
I have attempted to give quitting a go in the past but the allure just kept drawing me back. I'm doing it again for me. Because I hate crying two days before pay day when there's literally no cash left in the bank to get me through with smokes, because that money is just dead money, because I'm isolating myself from my daughter whenever I go out for the next fix, because I know I can do it, because I've faced bigger hurdles than this, because when my friends all go out in the surf I want to stay out with them not be in at shore coughing my lungs up gasping for air...
The social stigma towards smokers is very real, and annoying! However, you've listed quite a few very good reasons for quitting. I'm doing it with champix because it works for me, but any aid you try is worth it. I'm a granny of 6 now, but back in the 70's I smoked all through two pregnancies and whilst actually breastfeeding! Sounds pretty gross now, but that's how it was. Most of the women in the waiting room at the Royal Women's Hosp in Melbourne were pregnant and smoking. Did it again with my next two in the 80's. Thankfully, all four are fit and healthy adults with kids of their own now. Smoking is definitely on its way out and the sooner you can conquer the evil nicotine the better you'll feel. And the money side of it, well...we all know how ridiculously expensive they are and no doubt will continue to go up. Seeing the amount saved in my quit plan is such an incentive to keep going. Even a simple visit to the supermarket without buying smokes, gives me such satisfaction. I buy $30 worth of food etc, and have quite a bit, compared to adding another $35 for two packs of smokes!! I recommend you get any help with quit smoking aids that you can and stick to this site on a daily basis for support and encouragement. I've found it invaluable. Remember, we all have to start somewhere. Get past that first day and you're on your way. Good luck!
Thanks Judes for your encouragement and good on you for sharing your story too! I'm sure you're a great nan:)
Thanks Caz Kib maaaate!!! Hope your journey is going well! How do u find it walking past smokers having a fag? Do u get the urge to roll them just for one drag too?! Or is it just me???