The Struggle to Quit

[ehzoterik]

About a decade ago, I quit smoking. Of course, I had only started smoking when I was 18 years old, shortly after graduating high school. I was walking the allotment in the wee hours of the night with a couple of close friends, some time shortly after my father died, feeling miserable and easily influenced. On this night, I discovered that these

Comments

[dragonoflife]

You can do it.

I have faith in you.

Smokers

[awhitsel]

1. Try chewing on a straw (Cut the straw so that it is the approx. size of a cigarette).

2. Get away from the computer for just one day. Instead, make yourself clean house entirely! Windows, floors, dishes, bathrooms, make your bed! --This will make it seem like you are at a job. All you have to do is tell yourself to wait until your fifteen minute break. (Think of your days like you're at a job and only have allotted times to smoke on a break).

3. Write out the last time you smoked. Make a contest out of it. Tell Jamie he has to buy you something with the first $100 you save for quitting.

4. Is it possible for cats to get lung cancer? Think of them.

:) Let me know if any of these actually work!

Re: Smokers

[awhitsel]

Or maybe, you could smoke without having something flavored to drink in your hand (Or anywhere near you!) I know you have to drink while smoking, so maybe you won't smoke if it really does taste like shit!

Also, you could try only smoking half of a cigarette, put it out, and then smoke the other half later. Tastes nasty but that should be the point.

Re: Smokers

[ehzoterik]

Thanks for these tips, Annie! I keep thinking what I need to do right now is call somebody and make them come pick me up and get the hell out of the apartment so I'm not in my usual smoking environment for a while. You busy? lol!

[sadisticerrorpi]

From a more shallow angle, but one that is worth mentioning, non smokers smell better

[ehzoterik]

You're right. I have survived shittier things than quitting smoking. The most recent torture that comes to mind is my dental disaster from a few years back. I little crankiness, the jitters, headaches, and OMFG DIE WORLD DIE! I think I can deal with that. That's nothing compared to the actual physical pain of having 15 teeth rotting in my mouth all at once, and then removed all at once. Oh. And the D&C from my miscarriage. That was fun

[sadisticerrorpi]

Fuck yeah, you clean-smelling bad-ass! Keep on it. I'm going to go build little green men for a while now.

[elf_fu]

If this helps any?

After a month of quitting I pulled out some blankets that I had "freshly washed," to put on the bed.

And I nearly threw up when I finally smelled what old-stanky-assed-ancient-cigarette-smoke smells like. I literally could not believe how bad it was and could not imagine how I might have smelled like to other people.

[misscatlady]

You can do it! My mom smoked forever and finally had to quit because I hounded her so much about it when I was a kid. You'll totally regain a sense of smell if you quit too! Mebbe stronger sense of taste?

You consider trying out those various gums and patches?

[sl_walker]

I've no intention of quitting anytime soon, but I will definitely offer up hopes and prayers for your success. One thing I do notice is that I don't smoke when I'm really into something, be it art, or play, or work -- I just don't feel the urge, because I'm so engrossed in what I'm doing.

I also get down to next to nothing when I stay at my grandmother's, because she still doesn't know I smoke, and I'm careful when I sneak out for one. So, you might also find a place you can't smoke easily to hang out, especially if it's a place you enjoy being.

Good luck, Stace!