Be a nonsmoker
I have had to think of myself as a nonsmoker. After smoking for over fifty years, this is no small mind-shift! How? I’m on day 50 of being a nonsmoker, and have repeatedly told myself that I’m my own best friend, very proud of being a nonsmoker, and have to accept it because there is no option. No more cigarettes, and this means I am much more emotional than I have ever been, for as long as I can recall. But life is so much easier without cigarettes. I have no more anxiety about when and where I can smoke, if I’ll be able to smoke , how I’ll get through an extended period without cigarettes. I don’t have to worry about whether it’s raining, and whether I can get outside to smoke, and whether people will look at me in disgust and avoid me, and whether I smell bad, and how my teeth are yellowing, and how I feel tired and dehydrated.......all of that is behind me. In the past, because I am a nonsmoker. And I’m sure that smoking never solved anything. It just cost me a lot of money, a lot of self respect, and a lot of anxiety about my health. I’m grateful to myself for being strong and being my own best friend.
Many thanks kennie. It’s funny how every little bit of support and encouragement is important, especially when it comes from people who know what it is like to let go of this habit. Grief.....definitely. I have heard it said that quitting is like losing your best friend. But I’ve realised that the cigs were never my best friend. Such a cruel trick! I’m my own best friend now, and it’s far better. Not easy. But heaps better. Moments of really wanting a cigarette are ok....I just sit with those moments, breathe deeply, and tell myself that I’m glad I do not have to be a slave to those moments any more. Ever again.
Congrats Mrs Mac. You are almost over the hump but there will be flashbacks so be vigilant. NOPE - not one puff ever, or you’ll be right back where you started. Good luck
Thanks to all for support....all much appreciated. Just btw, is there a time when I can say that I’m “over the hump”? I know that I, and all my family and friends, would be very disappointed if I started smoking again. One of the things that keeps me being a nonsmoker is the fact that some people (and maybe even myself) would not be surprised if I just cave in and smoke again. I have never tried to quit before. Hard to believe, I know, but the health scare that happened was a very powerful motivator. And I just stopped cold turkey. I never really believed I could do it. So if I started again, I would feel such a failure. I don’t think I could handle the failure feeling at all! It’s worse than the feeling of missing smoking!
Congratulations Mrs mac. Your post is inspirational too, all those freedoms that come from being a non-smoker that I am just starting to learn about having smoked since I was a teenager.
We all have a new best friend :)
Thanks red. That makes sense. I will think about what you have said. Its hard to say I never want another cigarette, when it was something that I enjoyed so much, and relied on to deal with my emotions especially grief. I miss smoking, but that doesn’t mean that I want to smoke again. It just means that I miss it. I guess in our lives, we have to let go of many things. This is just one of those. But the rewards are worth it.
Hi Mrs mac .,I smoked for 38 years . I gave up nearly 5 years ago, my whole life changed. I realised that life is awesome without smokes . Stick it out girl
Waking up every day without a cough, and being able to take a full breath, no trouble. It’s a relief, and feels so good. I think taking a deep breath is a great reminder of how much better I feel as a nonsmoker. Every time I feel I’m missing cigarettes, I take a deep breath, remember how I used to cough and have to clear my throat constantly, and then I’m glad I’m missing cigarettes! This is because the moments of Missing the cigarette are opportunities to remember how horrible I actually felt as a smoker, and how glad I am that I’ve quit.