We all know smoking is bad for our health. It is written on every package and every doctor will tell you this. As many, I was struggling with quitting. I tried it a couple of times but without luck.
My day used to start with a cup of coffee and one, two cigarettes. It was the perfect morning routine to start a day at work. Smoking is also a great socializing tool, right? Or maybe when somebody is late you can just smoke a cigarette till they arrive. I also loved the act of smoking, the gesture. Sounds stupid? It might, but if you ever were a smoker you do know what I am talking about. But enough with all this. Let me tell you a story.
It was somewhere around 14 February. I do remember this as I was at a Valentine’s Day party. The party was quite bad and I got bored quickly. So I kept smoking in order for time to pass till I would leave that place to go and see some other friends at another place (unnecessary details). I think I smoked more than a pack that night. To be honest I don’t remember cause I was a bit drunk too. I woke up the next day feeling a bit bad, the usual feeling after such a night out. I got into the shower and I had a shock: my fingers which hold my cigarette when I smoke where yellowish. I washed them several times that day but somehow they still had that color and they also smelled like tobacco. I got scared. I do have to admit that I am a bit paranoid, but either way…
Flashback: When I was in high school I was caught smoking. That man told me about all the dangers including the C disease that can happen also to someone’s fingers. I though you can only get it with your lungs (I hate so much this disease that I can’t even write its full name or express myself correctly, sorry).
So back to the story: I freaked out. I thought what if something bad is going to happen? What if my fingers will never have the usual skin color again? I did wash my hand a lot that day. After a while I realised that I had two options: I could either smoke with my other hand or take a break. I decided to go with a break till my fingers got back to normal. This happened in my early 20s and we had planned to go out again that same day. I decided not to buy cigarettes so that I won’t be tempted. Of course I went out and couldn’t help myself. My friends shared some cigarettes with me and it was fine. I took it slowly. When I woke up Sunday, hungover again, I said to myself that I am going to take a break from smoking from that day on. Just a week or two till my fingers returned to their original color.
Got to work, made my coffee and decided to outside for a smoke with the rest of my colleagues. It was not that easy but I survived that day without a smoke. When my co-workers went out for a smoke again I joined them but with a glass of water. While they smoked, I was in charge of my glass. I focused on that and made it through. After a week I pushed myself and did it for a month. I felt good and proud and rewarded myself with the money I saved. I think I bought a pair of jeans, don’t remember it well. So I said to myself let’s do this one more month. And while pursuing this I noticed all the benefits so I kept going. I’m not sure how long it’s been but if you ask me I never quit.
I realized it wasn’t about the money it was about my health.
What did I learn?
- whenever we limit ourselves by quitting something we like without really understanding the reason (from our perspective not from somebody else’s theory) we actually suffer for a period and then we return to that habit
- in order to be successful at this we should be kind to yourself, get a reward with every baby step
- start small, don’t try to change your whole life at once
- distract yourself like I did with the water (I actually benefited from this by getting hydrated)
- when somebody asks you, tell them that you just took a break; this way they won’t be bothered to get into a story about quitting or about how you will fail
- give yourself an exception to the “rule” for example as I love the act of smoking whenever I feel like I miss it I smoke a water pipe with fruit flavor. This way you know that you can smoke whenever you want to (even a cigarette).
The benefit that made me the happiest was that I don’t smell like tobacco all the time, which is awesome!
When you realize that it’s just a cigarette and you should be in charge you might want to try and take a break. Who knows where it might get you!
Good luck!
whenever we limit ourselves by quitting something we like without really understanding the reason (from our perspective not from somebody else’s theory) we actually suffer for a period and then we return to that habit .
I can’t agree further.
In that respect, I would like to suggest you reading this book: “Allen Carr’s Easyway To Stop Smoking.” This book is just as easy to understand as it is to read it. All you have to do is to apply it to your life and question your lifelong beliefs and views about smoking while challenging the book as well. The second the bells in your head ring, you will quit smoking easily, painlessly, without any willpower, and while enjoying the process. I hope this helps. Good day, buddy.