Hello fellow Ex'ers,
It seems like an eternity since I posted my last blog. Life sometimes get in the way and you find yourself not logging on the site as often as you did at the beginning of your quit journey. I decided today is the day that I will stop by and say hello and hopefully encourage a few newbies. Also it will help me get accumulated to the new site.
What have I been up to?
The beginning of they year was a very busy and stressful time at work. It was so stressed I found myself in the ER with very high BP. My Dr. of about 18 years talked to me about managing my stress and insisted that I take a few weeks off from work to rest and to get my act together. I took her advise and did just that and boy am I glad I did. I plan on retiring in another year and I want to be in the best health as possible. Throughout all of the craziness at work never once was I tempted to smoke....because I don't do that any more. Eat? Yeah, but not smoke. LOL I'm happy to say I am feeling great mentally and physically.
What has kept me from slipping:
As I look back on my past failures to quit I realize that I didn't have a plan of how I was going to quit. I thought I was doing good just by smoking a few cigarettes. I didn't realize I was keeping my addiction in a state of flux and before I knew it I was back to smoking almost a pack a day....I couldn't understand why I couldn't kick the habit (duh) LOL When I decided to quit in December 2014 I found this site and I began to read the recommended material and the blogs. I set a quit date of January 6, 2015. I learned that you had to understand the addictive brain, you have to make a commitment and keep it regardless, and most of all no matter what is going on in your life smoking will not make it better nor will you feel better. Once I had about 30 days in my confidence begin to grow. I no longer avoided being in close proximity of others for fear of my breath smelling like an ash tray. My oral hygiene improved and my cloths and hair didn't stink
. We can all attest to the fact that there will be times when you feel like you can have just one cigarette but if you have prepared and you are committed you will work through those moments and protect your quit. I've found that as the days turn into months I think and dream less and less about smoking. On occasions I can enjoy a glass of wine or two with out craving a cigarette and that is HUGE for me because in the past I thought drinking went hand in hand.
To the newbies:
Set a quit date. Make a plan. Read the suggested material and stay close to this site. During my 1st year of being a non-smoker I came to this site every day and it help me tremendously and it will help you too. Get your teeth cleaned and brush your teeth after every meal. Keep hard candy/mints and straws on hand. Drink plenty of water. Avoid alcohol at all cost because alcohol is a quit killer especially early in your quit. Finally, remember there will be some rough days but this journey does get easier and you will not die if you don't smoke and you will die if you do. Keep busy. I'm doing this and so can you.
The journey continues
