Quit Smoking

I tried to go cold turkey last week, but I had a nic-fit and smoked one after about fifteen hours. However, I’m down to about two or three per day, which is worlds better than before. I’m testing my willpower as we speak. Wish me continued luck!

i’m baffled by the fact that i’ve managaed to give up so many bad habits without a second thought, but this takes so much effort.

my friend wants to stop, too, but we’re in the same boat: we hate smoking, yet love it. it’s hard to explain to a non-smoker. you kow it’s bad for you, you can smell the same stink everyone else does (or at least i can; despite claims that smoking interferes with your ability to smell/taste, i seem to have a proficient nose and tongue), you hate having a monkey, and yet it’s still comforting, soothing. this goes far beyond the physical addiction.

i’ve been looking for a surrogate, but i dislike chewing gum, quit biting my nails ages ago, and don’t want to puff on a fake ciggie, since that would only make it easy for me to pick the habit up again (and make me feel like an even bigger tool than when i smoke real cigarettes). i have to think about healthy snacks i could munch on during my coffee breaks, or items to fidget with satisfactorily.

i bought a box of The Patch two days ago. i put one on yesterday; it tingled, as the pamphlet had warned me. i hardly noticed it for most of the day. this is where it bears mention that yesterday was hot and humid; during dinner, i could feel that Patch oozing off like a smelly Band-Aid. today i woke up late and, in my hurry, forgot to put one on. i’ve only smoked three cigarettes so far, which isn’t too bad for me. the real challenge is at home: entertaining my boyfriend’s best friend, who is a chain-smoking Camel Man.

I seem to have developed a cold. The last time this happened, it was actually a terrible bout of bronchitis, during which time I was nearly clean of cigarettes. I have no idea why I started back up after that, but perhaps this cold can be a blessing in disguise and give me incentive to cut down (at the very least). This is the third time I’ve been sick (or is it the fourth?) since my birthday. That was in December. Time to get serious.

Sweet, five cheers! Joining this community was a great idea. This is so much more effective than being preached to. I’m working hard on my willpower. Thanks!

Man, only one cheer for this? Dang! I need major support on this one, having failed at my last three attempts. I should probably solicit advice from successful others here at 43 things…