Quitting Smoking One Day at a Time...

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Saturday, March 22, 2008

Thanks for all the Motivation All...

I MUST SAY, YOU GUYS ARE ROCK STARS!!

In all reality, its up to me whether I pick up a cigarette or not, but the longer I continue to stay quit and just deal with the feelings (usually the ones I am trying to usually run from) I am a success! I have realized that support is really important....especially on the days things are REALLY tough and I WANT to smoke. I may WANT to smoke, but I don't NEED to smoke and that is amazing! Five months ago when I was a pack a day smoker, I was so addicted (physically and mentally) that there was no choice in whether or not I would smoke....I just lit up like always! I had resigned myself to the fact that I would probably die with a cigarette in my hand and at a much younger age than was necessary.
Today, I have a lot of hope that I can stay quit. I choose to stay smoke-free and read blogs from other successful quitters and try to encouragement others because I realize that some days I may feel perfectly fine and other days I may feel like smoking... I just don't have to. I have decided that I would rather deal with a certain level of uncomfortably and delay smoking those NASTY cigarettes for ten minutes to an hour because the cravings ultimately go away! It is much easier to remember why I quit and why I choose to stay quit with the help of my blogging buddies than to try to requit!
I have been clean and sober for over twenty years and I know that it took me about two years before the cravings for drugs and alcohol pretty much diminished. After that, is was a lifestyle change. Even when I get stressed, the idea of drinking or using is not even an option for me. I think quitting smoking is a lot like quitting drugs and alcohol. It becomes second nature after awhile. It would be nice if the "awhile" was tomorrow but I know it takes a long time to unlearn a habit. I smoked for over 30 years. Its going to take awhile before my brain remembers that smoking a cigarette is not an option for me anymore. I think my brain is just confused by the weather change which means its so much more convenient to go outside and suck down poison. I hope all of you are doing well too.
Peace,
Diva

5 comments:

MamaFlo said...

Wow Diva, I had no idea you'd been through so much. I'm glad to hear that you've made it through all kinds of pressure and stress these last few weeks and stayed quit - Congratulations!
Happy Easter!

Author said...

ybajYou sound like you're doing better, and I'm glad you're so resolved to stay quit. Support does help, that's been the major difference this time around, and one of the main reasons I'm still not smoking. Congratulations for staying smoke free, and happy Easter!

Anonymous said...

So glad to hear you are doing so well and feeling so hopeful! Yep, it can be done, and support, both giving and receiving, can really help. It's helped me. You are awesome!

lynda w said...

The support from everyone here is what's helped me to stay quit, too. I've had a few stressful moments where I'm afraid that I would have smoked had they been around. I'm proud of you, because if you still have a roomate that smokes, the tempation is always around and you've still stayed quit. Yea for you!

lynda w said...

How's the time off going?