If you knew me, you would never in a million years believed that I quit smoking. Hell it’s hard for me to believe it myself. It’s been almost 3 weeks now. I honestly wouldn’t have quit if it were just for me. I rather like smoking. I know people say it’s a disgusting habit and in some ways I suppose that is true but I still like it. To me there’s just something wonderful about having a cup of coffee and a cigarette first thing in the morning. I’d try to describe this more but only another smoker would truly understand.
So why did I quit? I could ramble on here, give a bunch of reasons and let you guess but I won’t! I will come right out and tell y’all that I am trying to donate a kidney. One of the billion requirements to donate a kidney is that you not use any nicotine products. This should also tell you that I went cold turkey! No vapes, no patches or gum… just no nothing!
If you asked me for any wisdom on this matter here are my tips to quit smoking… I’d start with picking a date…. until then smoke your little heart out! I did! The night before, I had my one last cigarette… like I really sat and enjoyed it then I had a friend take all my cigarettes, lighters, etc away so they were not here the next morning when I got up. That right there was almost enough to induce a panic attack but it had to be done.
I also got ready to quit smoking by buying lots of snacks and lots of gum. I admit not all my snacks were healthy but hey what the F! I just quit smoking! I also purchased a breathlace (that’s an affiliate link!) which is basically a metal straw on a necklace BUT I believe it really does help because it encourages those deep relaxing breathes just like smoking! You can also sort of block the opening at the bottom a bit to give some air resistance when taking a “drag”. It’s pretty cool actually!
I also let people know in advance that I might be a bitch since I was quitting smoking and guess what… surprise I was! Sorry not sorry! I’ve even made myself laugh thinking about me sitting in traffic shoving potato chips in my mouth and cussing at other drivers like some crazy angry madwoman. I was off the rails but it gets better and you will find ways to cope. I even got all in my feels one day and that’s ok too. It’s a process. The picture on this post says it all quitting smoking is one hell of a roller coaster… it’s laughing and crying. It’s being mad and pissed. It’s also being proud that I”m doing this. Yes I did!!! I quit smoking!!!! And then wanting a cigarette all over again and making a choice not to smoke.
Last tip! Never surrender! I could have went to buy a pack of cigarettes but I just had to make a choice not to. My husband has been sober for 33 years and Alcoholics Anonymous teaches about “one day at a time” You don’t have to think that you are NEVER going to smoke again… so for me I am not going to smoke today.
If you quit or are trying to give up smoking. Leave a comment. I’d love to hear from you.
