Breaking old habits, never easy posted 1/29/2007 6:46:58 AM | 1 kudo what's this?     report abuse tagged: smoking, quit smoking, old habits, determination

truleo_1

This last week I made an effort to put aside the . While personally I don't consider smoking an addiction, I would not debate against the fact that I have become rather dependent on them over these past 25 years or so.

When I am frustrated or upset, they are (were) my 'deep breathing exercise'
Bored? concentrating? working? etc. etc. It all became reason/excuse for a cigarette, I suppose.

I was never one of those people who had to have a cigarette as soon as I woke up or right after a meal, so I figured quitting would not be as difficult on me than it might be to some.

I have discovered the hardest time though. It is that long drive to work. Several times I found myself reaching beside the seat for the pack that was always there. That is until Friday when my car was cleaned out, aired out and cigarette free.

I can't pat myself on the back just yet and why should I any way? I started something I should have never taken up when I began smoking on a regular basis. And true, the health issues and such were not as well known (or at least advertised back then), but it's really no excuse. I mean did any of us really think that inhaling smoke into our lungs wouldn't have some kind of medical impact?

But I won't get on a rant about the health issues, partially because that isn't even my reason for quitting. I guess partially it's the cost. Don't I have better things to spend money on? But even that isn't a main issue to me.

(Side bar story): I remember this one woman who quit by choosing one thing she wanted really badly but couldn't afford. (In her case it was this couch). She used this to quit smoking. Every day she put into a jar, the money she would have spent on cigarettes until she had enough to buy that couch.

I thought something like that might work for me but I couldn't think of anything that I really wanted (I'm lucky there), especially enough just to stop smoking. I guess that was my thought this last year or so, anyway. I have debated the issue that long, if not longer within myself.

I guess I quit simply because I decided it was time. No drastic awakening - no story to be told. Nothing I read, heard, dreamt etc. Having made that decision doesn't make quitting easier. I can't even say that I will make it for very long. Life is stressful and sometimes a cigarette can keep me from wanting to
But I am going to try.

Copy & paste to friend: (Click inside box; Ctrl + C to copy; Ctrl + V to paste)

Blogs by truleo_1: When the guage is on red you are out of gas Hey Snow Buddies A white Valentine's Day? Have a A GREAT Valentine Day, Smile, be strong and STAY AWAKE making sure the color=message Valentine's Day Math Valentines Day History *itch on, I say A love is quote: Is there life after children? Where else but here? Matchdoctor - a community of friends Breaking old habits, never easy Mid 40's school days Plug your ears Oklahoma - I'm going live My apologies Boredom is my enemy Nothing like a few days off icy rain on it's way Success overcomes stress Back to the grindstone! IT ALL WORKS OUT IN THE END A Change of Pace Trying my comments again "About the Wink Blog" Trying to stay awake