Day 22 - still determined, lunch with friends who smoke tomorrow
Tomorrow will be my first big challenge since I stubbed out my last smoke. My housemate still smokes and does it in front of me, which I don't mind, it just makes me more determined to not start again, but tomorrow I'll be hanging out with old friends, like long term (15+ years) friends. We have a lunch every three or four months and meet up at a different pub each time. It'll be my first pub session AND my first lunch as a non-smoker. Normally we would have lunch and then we would end up out in the smoking area and spend the afternoon out there, drinking and smoking. I'm not sure I will be able to join them in the smoking area, but I will try, because it's not friendship I have stopped. I have a couple of 'fidget' toys, like micro cars and a little thingo with flashing lights but would welcome any tips from the community :) Wish me luck!
Thanks Red, I am determined not to smoke and my friends will understand. I'm prepared to give them some schooling, because up until now we have one friend who tries to give up three or four times a year, and another who has been diagnosed with COPD and gave up for 55 days but got sucked in again. I know all of them would quit if they they thought they could.
35 years... and the rest. I just wish I had known how fricking simple it could be. I went out with my smoking buddies today and did. not. want. one. or even a half. Thank You!
Thanks Wendy, I had a great day yesterday and my friend was really touched that I have stopped. The last time I had seen her she was asking me for smokes, even though she has been diagnosed with COPD. Her doctor has said that she won't get any better, but if she quits now, she has every likelyhood of not getting worse, but if she doesn't it will slowly kill her. I really don't want her to die, so I am doing all I can to encourage her to quit for good. I figure the best way to lead is by example :)
Congrats Zandyness on making it through!
What a true friend you are, leading my
example for your friend who has already been
diagnosed sadly with COPD.
Very touching story x
Hey Red, I'm hearing you.
I'm on another couple of quit forums and it surprises me how many feel like they need that crutch, without ever trying to old cold turkey. I hate to sound like one of those clichés but if I can, then anyone can.
I try to encourage everyone, no matter what method they choose, but I'm becoming more convinced that it's a matter of believing you can. All the aids seem to imply that it's all but impossible.
To be honest, after the first week, I knew it was all a farce.
We see the light and we see it well :)
Hey Red :)
Just yesterday I was at the supermarket watching a toddler go from politely asking for a treat, to demanding, and then temper tantrum throwing and I thought "Oh it's like addiction, except I would never give in to that toddler!"
and it was like a lightbulb moment :)