Okay, so far it's been 3 months 9 days and counting, but I am determined to never smoke again. Visiting a Cancer hospice can really help to bring the truth home.
What I would like to share with you is. I know it's what everybody says: If I can do it, so can you! I smoked for 30 odd years. That little stick became my best friend. Somehow you were never alone with a cigarette, standing in line, just light up! Shocking to say if I was having a coffee and had to choose between a sandwich or my cigarette, guess which one won?
The problem with smoking is that the addiction is so strong regardless of your mood. Happy: you feel congratulated with a puff. Sad: That cigarette consoles you.
We all know it's the nicotine that is the addictive drug, but it is the added chemicals that are doing the damage to our bodies. By giving up there is also the wonderful reassurance that the damage done can start to repair along the years.
Personally when I was smoking I convinced myself that: well I could get hit by a bus tomorrow, why give up? Shockingly this is a common ruse by smokers! However I did sometimes get a panic attack if I stopped to add up how much it was all costing me. Now I'm smoke free at least I can afford a gallon of fuel!!
What helped me was firstly coming to terms with the fact that the smokers cough I had, really was not that pleasant, especially when you see others dying from the dreaded weed.
So once the decision was made, I used the nicotine patches, the gum, the inhalers, lots and lots of candy, cutting up white straws and sticking those in my mouth. The biggest motive was looking at my family and being supported by them while they suffered my many mood swings of desperation.
It took me about 4 months to be totally free and was certainly the best decision I ever made.
Please if you are considering giving up, try it, if you fail so what, next time round you will know what to do.
If I can you can. Save the money you would have spent, I still do and it's great to have extra cash to spend. Good luck, join me.
