Camping with family....
I got a lift home from work today as I walked to work this morning but it was just too hot when it was time to go, we are currently sitting on 35 degrees. The lady I caught a lift with is a smoker and she lit up as soon as we got in the car and it stunk!! My throat is now a little dry and I have a tickle in the back of my throat and a massive headache. What is the etiquette for this social situation? Should or could I have asked her if she would mind not smoking or should I put up with it because it is after all her car? I am feeling disgusting at the moment from the second hand smoke I know that much! I will be facing another big test this weekend we are going camping with my mother in law and step father in law and my hubby's aunt. His aunt is a heavy smoker. My mother in law is an ex smoker and she has been very supportive and encouraging so maybe we will be fine his Aunty on the other hand has been very unsupportive. I am sure I'll be writing a fair bit over the weekend as it helps me understand my feelings and its a good way to look back at a certain situation and how I dealt with it.
No I'm not on a crusade to change every smoker. I have plenty of friends and family who smoke and it doesn't bother me at all. It's their choice, their body, their life. Plus its hard enough work me quitting them worrying about everyone else. But I know that I personally would not smoke in a car with someone who is a non smoker, an ex smoker or is currently quitting. It's just social etiquette in my views. Everyone has their own social standards I understand but she was being rude about it and even at one stage blew it in my face and said I bet you miss this.
I can empathise with your situation. I live with smokers and it used to make me feel smothered when they would light up ..... it got to a point where I was confined to a room. I got the comments from smokers too, nothing positive mind you, just wanting to bring you down, pointing out the negatives. It's hard when you are trying to do something good for yourself and your surroundings are not supportive. I think that is part of the change. The smokers will never understand you , unless they are going through the same thing. Most are in denial, they do not want to face the truth that smoking is killing them,as they go through all the arguments to justify smoking. That is their business and you focus on you. The truth of it is this, as the weeks go on and you are getting stronger and more in control of the cravings and through change successfully as I have no doubt that you will, as you are doing brilliantly and can relate alot to your posts. Remember the insight you have gained through this experience. Coming out of the fog, it is a personal choice , don't let others ignorance be an obstacle to your success, it can be lonely,I just smile at the people and think thank god I am over the worst of it. Enjoy the fact that you are thinking and seeing clearly, hold onto that and keep going forward into this journey, wave goodbye to old thinking, old frustrations, be your own best friend. Its sounds simply but it can be the hardest thing to do sometimes. Head up keep going, for every negative you encounter turn it into a positive.