I remember my first time very vividly… The day we told white lies, cut classes, and stole Marlboro reds and a bottle of wine from my parents. We mixed dreadful cocktails to conceal the alcohol from authorities (it was early in the day, after all) and headed to the nearby park to waste that beautiful spring day away.
We were two best friends in high school with our share of crushes and good grades. And that afternoon, we were young, drunk, and irresponsible. Exactly as we should be.
Except that was the first and only cigarette my friend ever smoked. It was the first of many to come for me.
That afternoon I stumbled home and vomited all over the bathroom like the classy broad that I am. Thankfully, no one in the house caught on about the smoking. It was their guilt I felt guilty about. I knew my parents would blame themselves for leaving cigarettes around but it was my fault for picking up another habit to aid my addictive personality. It wasn’t until a year or two later when I was home from college that my mom caught me red-handed. I sat on the porch and nearly lit the wicker furniture on fire after she came home early from running errands.
Since then I have tried numerous ways to quit smoking, always with the same results. Cold turkey never seemed to work, since I convinced myself time and again I can have just the one… which, in my case, always ended half a pack later on a Saturday night.
Bryan and I discussed our dirty habit and desire to quit just before the New Year but when he said he would have his last cigarette on Sunday, I didn’t have much time to come up with an excuse.
He wanted to do this for himself but I realized that I needed to do this for myself, too. Besides, what kind of vegetarian yogi smokes Parliament Lights anyway?
And so it is that I’ve been smoke-free for five days. Slightly irritable, yes, but I imagine I’ll feel this way for at least a few days. Any advice from reformed smokers and thoughtful encouragement from the rest would be greatly appreciated.
Wishing you all a wonderful weekend~any special plans?
Good job, Bunny! The physical withdrawal should be over in seven days or so. The rest is psychological. The best advice I can give you is to change up your routines and habits, in the sense of your triggers. So, if you were used to having one after dinner, have a cup of tea instead, or do something else. If you were used to lighting up at a certain point in your commute home, take a different route (seems silly, but it works!).
Just know that after the physical withdrawal, it’s all psychological. You can beat your own head!
Also there are sites that help you track how much money you’ve saved, how much time you’ve gained back on your life, etc. Those seem to be great motivators.
You can do it!
Omg, this is great! I’m so proud of you for doing this. I know you will be successful. think of how much better you will feel and what a personal accomplishment this will be! Keep me posted on your progress, and if you need any extra encouragement, I’m always here. Love you much!! Xoxo
GREAT JOB!!! I made the exact same year, and guess what? I celebrated one year smoke free on Sunday by running a 5k. Cold turkey is tough, but you CAN do it! I never would’ve thought last year that I’d make it through, but it got easier day by day. The longer I didn’t smoke, the less I missed it. Now, I don’t even recognize myself as a former smoker. I don’t even remember smoking. Hang in there.
Quitnet.com has a great counter…sing how many cigarettes you haven’t smoked and how much money you’ve saved is very motivational. Drink lots of water to flush the chemicals out of your system. Since you’ve been quit almost a week, the physical withdrawal symptoms are basically gone…it’s all mental now, baby. You’re only battling your own mind and your own habits at this point. YOU’VE GOT THIS!
Good luck!
AWESOME!!!!!!!! SO PROUD OF YOU!! I’ll be right behind you on Sunday!! xoxoxoxo
Good luck. I hope you can kick the habit for good
Hannah
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Good luck lady! I’ve never smoked but I’ve watched my grandmother and parents struggle to quit so I know it’s not easy.
Then again, I also saw my grandpa quit cold turkey one day and never look back. I have faith that that’ll be you too!
My brother’s “quit” several times without much success, but since joining AA he’s decided smoking is a better addictive habit than the alternative. I’ve never been much of a fan since seeing my Great Aunt with the hole in her throat. That’ll scar a kid let me tell ya!
Good luck! It’s great you’ll have each other for support!
So super proud of you!!
I think that the worst of it is almost over…like the first few days…look at me talking like I know about quitting…I never smoked…duh.
Hang in there. You can do this!!
I can give you some motivation…smoking makes your bones more brittle. Had my dad not been a smoker the doctors don’t believe his injuries would have been as extensive as they were. And when he had to have surgery, they had trouble intubating him because of his smoking. He could have been out of the hospital weeks ago if only he hadn’t smoked. And if that’s not a good reason to quit, I don’t know what is.
Good luck. You can do it.
You can do it!
My husband’s a respiratory therapist and most of his patients are current smokers. Egads. This is great you two are doing this for yourselves. The worst is almost over. Stressful days will be the ones you crave a cigarette the most, but yoga and a glass of red wine can do wonders.
I haven’t smoked in nearly eight years and I sometimes still miss it. I think the most difficult part of quitting was that was the only four minutes I had where I just sat still and just was, you know? However, my romantic reverie is always broken by a smoker walking by who truly stinks. It helps.
Stay strong!
As I said to you this past weekend; I’m okay with you continuing your habit. I’ve never been one to push another (especially one I care about soooo much) into following my lead, but since you have, I’m sooooo proud of you Mooi! I’ve quit for such a long period of time and just recently (within the last year) I started back up. Initially it was only on the weekends aka after I had my Jameson
which then progressed into a couple times during the work week and finally to everyday.. I’m at the point of watching all my money go down the drain and would rather spend that money taking you somewhere nice ya know?!? We’ve gotten through the worst part as all your friends have already mentioned… Now we’re left with the whole mental game but knowing we can get through nights like last night gives me a lot of hope for our future (and I’m not just talking about smoking my love). So as I’ve already told you; I’m extremely proud of you especially since you’re doing this for yourself and not because I’m trying to quit. I’m here for you no matter what time of the day…. I’m just a phone call away sweetie. We’ve got this handled Mooi!!!
Oh my goodness Charlotte…. I’m really proud of you!!! My husband and I have been struggling with the same thing. The difficult part is, one of us will cave, which causes the other one to give in as well. Bleck! It’s tough! I wish I could say that it’s been five days for me…. it’s actually been more like 5 minutes.
It’s encouraging to know you are quitting as well.
Girlie?
I’m *so* happy for you!
You’re quitting because you want to, and you have a partner to do it with.
Perfect.
xo
Good for you girl! No special plans here… must get the Christmas Tree down… watching the Giants on TV at a friends tomorrow… The Boy’s first basketball game this morning… business as usual!
Way to go girl! Hang in there. It will be worth it!!
Wow, that is fantastic! For both of you, too. How far have you gotten on previous attempts?
Good luck!
Haven’t taveled on this road myself but I know you can do it. Mind over everything. Intention and willpower make up most of everything we do anyhow so I know those characteristics will guide you through this process and you will be rid of the addiction!
100% believe in you! Cheering you on ALWAYS Charlotte! xo
I’ve heard that chewing on straws helps with the oral fixation without weight gain. Or sugarless gum– but be careful of those because if they have fake sugar it could hurt your tummy.
I once had a friend who quit (after many failed attempts) with acupuncture. She swears by it.
I can relate to an addictive personality. But they will have to pry the wine from my cold dead hands. Just sayin.
I wish you luck. I was one of those smokers that would make you sick, I quit without any problem cold turkey. Probably also helped I quit before my addiction got really bad. After that I would only rarely smoke when I drank. When I became pregnant that was one smell that set me off and I threw up everytime I was around cigarette smoke and I still have an issue with it now. Every great once in a while I still get the craving for one until I take a drag and feel sick. I believe you can do it though, you have a strong inner will, and it’s a huge help that Bryan is quitting too.
I hope it’s going well!
Get to the four week mark! Both myself and my husband quit several years ago. I could take or leave smoking, he was a heavy smoker who loved it. He was playing in a heavy metal band for years so, on gig nights especially, he would smoke and I would keep up as best I could.
Those days are gone and we are both happier for staying the course and quitting. No more stinky smoke filled clothes, hair is fresh, breath doesn’t need mint cover up and the lungs are better. Advice: figure out the habits – when were you most likely to light up? After food, morning coffee, out for drinks/party, when you were angry/depressed? Habits and triggers have to be assessed and find an alternative way of handling. Stay out of high smoking areas, change your routine, give your hands something else to hold and get past the first four weeks, you won’t regret quitting smoking.
Another idea for your cold turkey: What about knitting or quilting?
Wow… Good for you! I’ve never been a full-on smoker—only ever had a social cig or two when out with friends who smoked. But, I have seen many friends (and even my sister) struggle to quit. That said, not a SINGLE ONE OF THEM regretted it once they did. Remember what they say in yoga: the only way out is through. Keep on keeping on, lady.
Congrats! I’ve heard the first few days are the hardest. You’ll be so happy that you’ve made the change.
WOW! I hope you’re keeping up with it! Best wishes.
What’s the update on this, Charlotte???
Still, smokefree, I so hope so.
xo