I quit smoking in January, and though I have had times when I'd like to have one, I was quite proud of myself for not giving in.
Yesterday was a bad day, and I found myself not once, but twice, reaching in my pocketbook as I was driving. I wondered why I was doing that, and realized I was fishing around for a pack of cigarettes!
Had one been there, it would have been a completely unconscious act to light up.
2007-10-18 23:41:02 · 16 answers · asked by felines 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Senior Citizens
Iritadragon -- I've had those same dreams, and felt as if it had actually happened. Thanks for sharing.
2007-10-19 02:30:59 · update #1
Mr Jello -- If the resolve is there, so also is the success.
2007-10-19 02:39:54 · update #2
I quit smoking in Jan. of this year and in Aug. started right back up again. I have been in this city for 35 yrs. and my hubby got transferred to another city and now I am being told I have to give up my cats and 1 of my 3 dogs to move with him..I am willing to part with 6 of my cats..no problem there except for the heartache it is going to bring, but to give up the rest of the brood he brought home to me is another category in itself. My stress level is so high right now and I reached for the forbidden smokes. Had I known this was going to happen 12 yrs. ago, I never would have kept all the cats. I told him when we got married 13 yrs. ago that when I got a cat or a dog no matter how many it was they were with me for life and apparently he could care less. So good for you and keep up the good work. it is very hard not to slip back to this habit, and you should be very proud of yourself!
2007-10-19 19:01:17 · answer #1 · answered by myninny54 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Indeed, the habit of smoking becomes a part of our autonomic nervous system, and we find ourselves reaching, even when there's nothing there. The thing I miss most about smoking was the gestures I could make with the cigarette to emphasize what I was talking about.
What made it easy for me to quit was meeting the love of my life. We've been together 18 years this month. I have been tobacco free for the majority of that time. After a few weeks I realised that she didn't smoke. From prior attempts to quit I realised just how foul they can smell when you don't smoke. So, from three packs a day, I quit, cold turkey.
My technique for staying off tobacco at first was simply that I would not smoke 'the next one'. And now, nearly 18 years later, I still have not smoked 'the next one'. The only cigarette I have to avoid is the 'next one'. If I deny myself that, the rest are easy. After a couple months of not taking the 'next one' I started to find the smell of tobacco nauseating. These days, I cannot figure how I ever started smoking those foul smelling things. I have a hard time hanging out with my smoking friends because they stink so bad. I even have trouble with the smoke that drifts into my apartment from the designated smoking area half a block away.
You pride in not smoking is well justified. Keep up the good work. I know that not everybody finds it as easy to give up long term habits as I do.
I've broken a number of nasty habits, including some substances that are considered to be highly addictive. Tobacco was the easy one.
Opiates and Meth were interesting excersizes in self discipline that taxed me well. But once I broke those, all other habits have been a walk in the park.
2007-10-19 07:38:03 · answer #2 · answered by John Silver 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Felines...I too quit smoking. My extremely hard decision was made 8 years ago.
Although I seem to be finally over the worst of the cravings, I still find myself "cheating"--in my dreams!
Once in awhile, when I am stressed the most, I find myself having dreams that I fall off that wagon and start smoking again. I go through the complete effects from being able to TASTE the smoke to having that same tight feeling in my chest building up...so much seems real that when I finally wake up, I am convinced for those first few minutes that it was reality because my mouth tastes foul and my lungs HURT. And then I realize that IT WAS JUST A DREAM and I get SSSSOOO mad at myself for putting myself through that cheating/guilt trip all over again!
In some ways you will never be anything but just one cigarette away from an active smoker. If you have an "addictive personality" as I do, then you will find yourself fighting that urge a lot for the next few years. But stick it out...it really does get better, eventually.
http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/natural_health/95319
2007-10-19 07:06:00 · answer #3 · answered by Susie Q 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
I gave smokes up l2 years ago. It used to be hard to go out to eat or have a na beer in a bar because of all the smoke in the air but now with the no smoking law it is a lot more pleasant for us non-smokers to have a good time.
2007-10-20 19:12:13 · answer #4 · answered by Aloha_Ann 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have quit for over a year before---I would be standing in the kitchen with the cupboard door open just staring in -- it was where I kept my carton of smokes. I have quit many times since then and turn right around and start again. To late now, guess I will just huff till I croak from it.
2007-10-19 06:49:33 · answer #5 · answered by lilabner 6 · 7⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I quit caffeine years ago when I realized it was contributing to my daily headaches. I found I've highly sensitive to it, my husband makes sure the waitress knows I ordered decaf, it's that bad. I went through terrible withdrawal symptoms. Sometimes I want that 'rush' again. When I've accidentally get something with caffeine in it, it's like I'm 'high'. Thing is I have to take something with it sometimes, it's the only thing that will stop my headaches. Congrats that you quit smoking, hang in there.
2007-10-19 10:27:09 · answer #6 · answered by luvspbr2 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Understand completely. I quit smoking almost 14 years ago and still get an incredible urge to have one when I am drinking a beer. It's just easier to ignore now. Congratulations on quitting and keep at it you are doing great. And it does get easier!
2007-10-19 06:47:50 · answer #7 · answered by jingles 5 · 6⤊ 0⤋
Yep, Blooming smoking. I've never lost the urge and if I get upset I am still reaching to the top of the mantle shelf for one. Then I get even more upset as there's no pack of fags there.
2007-10-19 12:02:13 · answer #8 · answered by Roxy. 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Thats the nature of addiction. "Bad habit" is a kind term for it. I have recently had the problem with alcohol ... Unfortunately, I found the bottle. Am back on the right track again. Keep that little "sneak" away from me! LOL
2007-10-19 06:47:53 · answer #9 · answered by Lou C 4 · 8⤊ 0⤋
felines. well done on breaking the habit.
The one I'm trying to break is being on here so much. I can't help myself, I know I should be doing some thing constructive or some chores, I know I owe loads of emails but I just can't resist a peep at what is going on here.
I'm not sure whether it's a habit or I'm just inquisitive but it's sure fun! lol
Love your picture, you have a lovely happy face hugs x
2007-10-19 08:24:12 · answer #10 · answered by ? 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋