Almost One Month Smoke Free
I’m coming up on my one month smoke free anniversery (the 17th of November). Already, my initial coping habits (sunflower seeds, mochas, straw chewing, incessant candy snacking) have subsided. The only time I desire to have a cigarette is when I’m out drinking, and that usually subsides: Every time I want to smoke, I have another drink. Plus my hangovers are incredibly less severe.
It’s amazing really. I never, NEVER thought I would ever be able to quit, yet I did it with ease this time. I can go into smoky bars, hang out with smoking friends. One thing I learned about quitting: You can NOT plan it. You can not be guilt tripped into it. That’s the hard part: You have to be prepared to quit, yet not know that you are ready to quit.
I think a large degree of quitting failure comes from having high expectations: Places like the American Cancer Society and the American Lung Association have all kinds of “helpful” tips. All of them revolve around planning to quit, and I have to call horseshit.
These tips were most likely created by people who did not smoke, and who have only ready studies pertaining to addiction, without experiencing it. Still, their efforts are noble I guess. Speaking of the American Cancer Society, the annual Great American Smokeout takes place on the 16th of November.