Start/Stop/Start/Stop
I stopped smoking when I turned 50 in 2003. I stayed off the cigarettes for 6 years. During that time, I got cocky and started lighting up the odd one again at parties and during celebrations. I had a holiday among friends who all still smoked. Good reason to start again, I thought. I again became a full-time smoker in 2009. Now, another 6 years later, I am suffering from a very severe cold. I stopped smoking 4 days ago. I do not want to go back.
Over the past 6 years of relapse, I have been wondering how the situation could have got out of hand so badly. I started to abhor smoking, while still puffing away. I abhor being enslaved to a substance. I abhor standing in the puffing throngs in the cold outside buildings, feeling like a leper. I abhor the stench of cigarette smoke. I abhor the constant awareness of needing to go to a shop to get my tobacco. I feel determined to stop and I am looking forward to going out with non-smoking friends without having to sneak off for a quicky, desperately chewing gum, sucking mints, so no one will smell the tobacco on me, but knowing they will.......
I am looking forward to call myself a non-smoker again. I am looking forward to a life without the deadly, smelly, expensive weed. I am looking forward to freedom.
Hi Lindavan, it seems you have yourself in the right frame of mind to do it. I hope your cold gets better. The bonus you have is that You have done this before you can so do it again.
Yes, Cranky76....I remembered what it felt like to stop. I read this book by Alan Carr, and it worked! For 6 years....when I started smoking again, I wanted to remember what it felt like to just quit cold turkey, but I could somehow not find that 'switch', if you know what I mean. When i got sick last Wednesday, it happened, as if by magic. I just hope the magic lasts. I have had a couple of cravings so far, but nothing too serious. When I did my first big quitting attempt, I sometimes felt as if I was being lead to the gallows without any way of escape. So far I have been doing OK, let's hope it lasts.....
Your story blew me away... Just reassures me that I must be vigilant and remember that I will always be a smoker. I have stopped but must always remember to say no to my craving. Her name is Margaret Thatcher.
Margaret often visits me and suggests I reward myself by lighting up. Whether it is after a week, a month or even years, we mustn't let down our guard. We know 1 ciggie becomes one packet and what the heck let's make it a carton. When we are hooked again the roller coaster ride to stopping might be even harder. I applaud LOUDLY all who have stopped. Every day is a milestone. Why is it that stopping smoking is such a thrill unlike the journey to get hooked in the first place. If we had to make a list of reasons to smoke versus reasons not to, the former might be endless...
You are so right Lea. I still think the first few days are the worst......Then you notice there are minutes when you don't think of smoking, then there are hours that you don't think of smoking and then it turns into days of not thinking about it. I am starting the 'hour' phase. But vigilance is very important.
Take it day by day-as it goes guys. Lindavan, I must admit you did a super job by quitting for 6 years and am sure you can repeat the feat. A few repeats of 6 yrs duration like these will ensure you pass through your life without harming your lungs any more:) Wish you all the best and you will do it, I am sure. Yes, vigilance is CRUCIAL-As you can never really let your guard down. I love the benefits of not doing it currently-so why should I go back to it? Do we exercise or compensate in any way? You need a vent guys and need to believe that you can quit-and not think that a 'once a smoker always a smoker'-that is true if you want it to be:)