Quit Smoking

I have completed my first whole day without a cigarette (its been about 30 hours since I had one so the nicotine should be leaving my body nicely by now). I must say that its been quite easy so far. Perhaps there is something to Carr’s book after all! Every other time I’ve tried to quit I have been tearing out my hair after about about 24 hours, but right now I am relaxed and quietly confident. I have had some cravings throughout the day, but seeing them as mnental dependencies rather than physical symptoms (as it suggests in the book) has worked nicely. When I examine the way my body is feeling at the time of the craving I realise that although it has a desire for a cigarette, it is a very mild one. All the screaming and panic for a smoke is coming from my mind, which is used to its old routine (smoke after breakfast, when I go to the coffee shop for lunch, when I get home before dinner). The problem I am starting to realise is not as much about physical addiction as a subconcious fear of a change of lifestyle. After this first day I am very interested to find out if it is this easy to quit smoking…..

So, after posting about starting this goal a few weeks ago I have put it off repeatedly. However, I have now read Allen Carr’s book (found it in a secondhand book store) and it has filled me with confidence that this can be quite easy. I do hope the book’s right, and it hasn’t filled me with false confidence that will set me up for a fall. I haven’t had a cigarette for a few hours now, and I am feeling good about being a non smoker. nothing like jumping in at the deep end! That’s what I love about Carr’s book – the attitude. As soon as you put out your last cigarette you are a non smoker. None of this trying to quit, seeing how long I can last, nicotine replacement therapy bullshit – straight to the point: you’ve decided to not smoke again so you are already a non smoker, congratulations.

I hope it works…......

OK, I’m gonna give quitting smoking a try. I have been wanting to do this for a long time, but it’s the thing that has most control over me. I quit drinking a few weeks ago, and that was quite easy. I used cigarettes as something to do when I went out to bars, but I’ve found myself smoking more and more. I don’t know if I will succeed at this, but its worth a shot. Combined with the not drinking, if I suceed, I’m either going to turn into a very dull person or a very happy and healthy person (or possibly both). Wish me luck. Day one here I come.