Quit Smoking

A couple months ago, I tried again to quit…and made it for a full 24 hours without smoking…which is better than I can say for my last quit attempt. Then again, THAT time I managed to smoke less than 3 cigarettes a day for 2 weeks. And less than 1/2 a pack for 2 more. Both times sucked though…obviously…otherwise I wouldn’t be back to smoking like a chimney. I have found that I’m enjoying my cigarettes less and less….but the thought of going through the whole withdrawal thing again isn’t very appealing. When I have no cigarettes, I feel panicky and it’s all I can think about. Nothing can distract me from that feeling, and all I want to do is sleep….which kinda interferes with my productivity. I do want to quit…but I wish there was a way to skip over all of that! Sooo, for now I’m moving this goal lower on my list of priorities. Being productive is crucial in my life right now….excess sleep isn’t.

Smoking has been something that when it becomes cumbersome for me I “snuff it out” pun intended. For instance, I don’t want to hassle with a lighter or matches, it is too cold outside to smoke, it’s making something unsightly, or inconvenient. I even let it alone for 2.5 years.

However, a recent trauma propelled me to identify myself with smoking…again…sigh…really.

In some ways bans on public smoking has curbed the frequency in which I would otherwise haphazardly light up. For me it keeps the comradery between other smokers tighter as we are driven together in masses outdoors in huddled corners.

Therein lies my undoing…those who I don’t wish to give up…I have lost enough for one year…how much more can I give up and keep reinventing…

I think it is less of a question for me so much as it is a statement. As if I say this kind of thing until it is good enough to be a better reason and the better will be the best for me and I will decide to not let it just rest so I will with conviction walk away from it.

I’ve been quit for
1 month, 21 days, 5 hours, 7 minutes and 42 seconds
I’ve not smoked 731 coffin nails and saved $183.14 along with 2 days, 12 hours and 54 minutes of my life.

I survived a business trip without relapsing.

Yup I did it for a year which proves that I can do it. Woo I am officially not a smoker :)

Restarting today 6 Nov 2009

Haven’t had a cigarette in about a month now. The past couple of days have been difficult, as the patches were stirring the crazies, so I had to stop using them as well. But I’m breathing easier, and while I still get twinges of craving I’m coping with them a lot more easily. Now I just have to stay quit for the remainder of this week and next.

Today is Day 70! We are going for a walk and out for lunch to celebrate. :)

I have avoided 1050 death sticks and saved around $350. That means that, together, my boyfriend and I have spared ourselves 105 packs and have saved roughly $700 together. I don’t quite believe it myself!

I have smoked for around 8 years and i smoke alot now i have given up many times. Twice while pregnant and then a few years ago for my daughter i gave up i lasted 5 months but slid back down when a friend handed me a cigerette.

I intend to do it again but feel with things at home and stressful situations its not a good time to try… I hope by 2010 im a non smoker

I have tried quitting before, and been succesfull. almost. When i try to quit i can leave it for a few weeks, i have even quit for a month. Yet i always go back. even if im not craving nicotine (ive tried the nicotine patch and it has worked wonders) i crave the act, the comfort, and the serenity i associate with having a cigarette. anyone have any tips to break the mental habbit, cause i think i can leave the physical one behind.

I’m actually pretty proud at how seamless this seems to have been so far… a couple of “I want a cigarette” moments… but easily eluded. Although I think coffee makes me far more jittery now than it used to. And honestly… the most difficult thing… is not being able to kill a few idle minutes of idle hands and idle brain cells sporadically throughout the day…

I’m waiting at least two weeks before checking this off as done… or should I wait a month?

And ps! I just noticed that my “personal challenge” to quit by November 1st has been listed as failed, and I’m slightly offended. I did not fail. I have not smoked since then… I just didn’t sign online immediately and click the “I did this” button. :-( Give me some grace time here 43things server!