Hello! My name is Sarah. I’m 21 years old, I started smoking when I was about 14, and I quit on January 6th, 2007. I still have not gone back or smoked a single cigarette since.
I used to be a pack a day smoker, on many days. Some… two packs, depending on if I was with friends or drinking. Here were my habitual (often chain) smoking habits in order of most to least…
1. When I was driving.
2. On breaks at work.
3. With other friends who smoke.
4. At the bar/campfires/pourches with friends (anywhere when alcohol was involved) A beer and a cig go hand in hand.
5. When I surfed the internet.
6. Talked on the phone.
7. When I was stressed, arguing, or nervous.
8. When I simply was bored.
All of these things drove me crazy while I was trying to quit. I used nicotene gum when I was about to go crazy, and for the most part, was a little anti-social for a month or two. I couldn’t stand not being in the group of people at the party dissapearing “going out for a smoke”. I couldn’t look at someone smoking, or smelling it for that matter. I didn’t know what else to do on my lunch and breaks. I hated sitting at the kitchen table chit chating over coffee with my friends, watching them smoke and politely saying “no it doesn’t bother me, go ahead.”
For the most part, I had to stay secluded, and explained this to my friends who smoked. I tried leaning on those who were smoke free, instead until I had a strong enough willpower. I also had to give up drinking for a few monthes. Drinking lowered my willpower substaintially. Basically, no parties for about two monthes. It was miserable and lonely, but quiting is just that.
If you are trying to quit, find a helper (gum, inhaler, patch) and see what works for you. I think everyone needs something to go to, when they can’t go to the ol’ pack. The gum helped me keep my mouth busy which often felt like I was teething or something haha. Also, I know this may sound risky, but promise someone you’ll quit, that would be really really dissapointed if you didn’t. I promised my smoke-free boyfriend. Honestly, I think the hardest thing about quiting smoking is doing it exclusively for yourself. I think the added pressure of doing it for someone else too, helps. At least it did for me. When I saw a cigarette and a lighter I didn’t just see myself dissapointed, but also my boyfriend. Truly was motivational.
I think the best way to quit is to remove yourself from tempting situations, and to really up the stakes by making promises, that YOU CAN’T risk breaking. But this is what worked for me… everyone is different, and has different opinions.
Is it worth it?
YES!
I breathe so much better. It’s cliche… I know… and I didn’t breathe that bad really when I was smoking, OR at least I thought.
My skin is clearer. I used to break out more often, I swear. I haven’t broken out since.
I feel warmer. I used to be cold all the time… especially my hands and feet. Now I’m also nice and toasty.
When I run out of breath, it doesn’t burn. That horrible terrible and sometimes frighteningly awful burn you get from your throat to the deep cavities of your chest. Oh my GOD I don’t miss that at ALL.
I… never… cough. I swear. It’s almost funny. I never have to clear my throat, or cough (in contrast to how often my voice would crackle, and choke up and cough).
My boyfriend had a bad cold for three weeks last month. After kissing, hugging, snuggling, still, I didn’t get sick. My immunity used to be crap… now I feel like the terminator. I used to ALWAYS get sick, every winter, I’d get the flu, every summer, a really bad sinus/chest cold. Nothing so far!
My cuts heal so much faster. Weird, maybe, but I remember having papercuts for like a week. It seems like I heal up twice as fast now. It’s astounding.
My boyfriend says my hair, hands, breath, skin, clothes, EVERYTHING, smells amazing. No more purfume WITH smoke… now it’s just purfume. No more mint gum AND smoke… now just mint gum. He’s never been happier.
Just give it a try. Don’t give up. Most people think they don’t have to change their lifestyle in order to quit. THAT’S WRONG!!!!!! But it doesn’t have to be a bad thing. The health benefits are seriuosly noticeable even after the FIRST WEEK! And you will feel so much better about yourself knowing you can do what most people find impossible.
You’ll have to battle for a while, but it really does get better and easier every day. Give yourself, or have that one you promised, get you a little something, or take you somewhere nice every week/month you’re smoke free for a constant reminder of how hard it is BUT how great you’re doing. DON’T LET YOURSELF FORGET HOW AMAZING YOUR WILLPOWER IS.
Good Luck and God Bless
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