On July 4, 2012, I decided I was not going to smoke another cigarette NO MATTER WHAT. I did not come to this decision on my own; a vascular surgeon finally woke me up to the health consequences of continuing. I have been smoke free now for 7 years! I COULD blame the itch or any of the following WHATs as a reason to smoke:
My kitty died.
My boss/coworker got on my nerves.
My customers " " " "..
My SO " " " "..
My job is stressful.
My MIL creates drama.
My daughter/son/boyfriend is getting on my last nerve.
I'm gonna die of SOMETHING - so I may as well smoke.
I have a healthy lifestyle. That should protect me from (insert one): COPD, osteoporosis, tooth loss, cancer, wrinkles...
I like smoking and it's my only vice.
I don't smoke THAT much.
I'll quit when my life calms down.
I'll quit when (insert one): I lose this extra weight, I get a less stressful job, my kids leave home, my MIL moves away...
If you think about it, NONE of these are reasons to smoke, or put off quitting. What do they all have in common?
They are EXCUSES!. Excuses created by an underlying fear of failure.
I was one of those people who thought she would die a smoker, because it was just TOO HARD to quit.
I am here to tell you that it isn't. A little uncomfortable in the beginning, a few really tough days - but it's quite simple. You make up your mind not to smoke another cigarette NO MATTER WHAT and you honor that decision each and every day. WHAT events/people/emotions are always going to be in your life. YOU get to decide how to respond to them.
I would love to celebrate 7 years (or more) with each and every one of you. If you are just starting out, stick with it. If you have some time under your belt, stay vigilant.
Seven years is in my rear view mirror - and looking to celebrate many more milestones!
Nancy
