Death and /or Debilitating Disease ISN'T a satisfactory alternative
For seven years I tried to quit smoking. Seven whole years. I was supposed to quit on the day my first born came into the world. I had grand intentions. I was going to be disciplined. I was going to be strong. I knew I could do it. I just knew it.
Seven years and probably seventeen attempts later my son is now old enough to notice things. So he sees the new ads on tele, about a father coughing up blood because he has lung cancer and he says, do you cough up blood daddy? Thankfully my answer was no, but he then asked why the man on tele coughed up blood, and being a clever little kid he noticed and therefore exclaimed, it must be because he smokes - isn't that right daddy? Yes I said, ashamedly.
What's going to happen to him daddy? Will he die? Why does he smoke if he's going to die? Why do YOU smoke daddy? I don't want you to die!
My heart broke. I didn't want to die either. Eleven days after my sons seventh birthday, I finally found the courage to quit - FOR GOOD. It's only been 303 days so far, but this time I'm certain I've quit for life. I'm feeling so much better for it. I don't have any guilt. I feel a weight lifted off my shoulders and I am finallly FREE! 303 days on I have joined a gym which I vist 3 or 4 times a week. I can get on a treadmill or a bike and go for miles without puffing. I can even hold a conversation during exercise!
My clothes don't smell, either does my breath. Food doesn't actually taste any better - I found that to be a bit of a myth. I've saved more than $4,000 (probably more) and frankly my budget is so much better for having quit. For once I seem to have some spare money at the end of the week. It's only a little, but every bit counts.
Yes I did it cold turkey. I just stopped and said no more, and I haven't had one, not even a puff of a cigarette since. The way I figure - you're either a smoker, or you're not. There's no such thing as a casual or social smoker - they're just full time smokers who haven't realised it yet.
The best tip I can give is no matter how many "failed" attempts you make - each attempt is a step in the right direction. Don't believe the crap about giving in not really meaning you've failed though. It does, but that's okay. You should feel guilty that you failed, and this should encourage you to be better person and try harder at not being so weak next time. Keep at it. You'll get there. Oh, and once you give up, never go back. NEVER.
I feel the best I have felt for more than twenty years. So can you. Good luck!
I have a little boy who is noticing that I smoke and walkn away from him when I do it. Overwhelming guilt and shame. I find my repeated attempts to give up ...well , depressing.
My partner still smokes and I fall back into ducking out the back and having one of his. Any suggestions?
@abetterlife, yes I have a suggestion for you. Just stop. Plain and simple. It'll be hard. Very, very hard. I smoked for 20 years and to stop out of the blue, and cold turkey too, during the first 3 weeks I thought I'd never be able to do it. Well now it's 13 months and 11 days later and I still haven't had one weak moment. Not one cigarettete since my quit day, not even a puff or a drag. You simply have to say NO. I now go to the gym 4 days a week and can run 5km and still have a conversation afterward. I've lost weight, my skin has improved, my general well being and happiness is better than it has ever been - and my kids are proud of me. I wish I had some magic trick to share with you, but I don't. You just have to make the decision to improve your life, starting from now, and stick with it. I'm loving every minute of it!