We are going on vacation in 12 days. It is a cruise and while we are not a "cruising family", this is a way for us to actually get some R&R on vacation. My son has autism and we are traveling with a group called Autism on the Seas. They provide staff and a bunch of services so we can actually enjoy a vacation.
Anyway, we also cruised last year and made some friends that also traveled in the group. One of these families is traveling again this year and I am very excited! However, I completely forgot they smoke. Until now, I haven't been around anyone who smokes. I was the last smoker of the group (for lack of a better word).
I am comfortable in my new freedom, but nervous since this will be the first time I will have exposure to friends who smoke and could possibly be around them while they are smoking. I know what to do. I know what I will need to do. I may just have to not hang out with them in certain venues. I feel better already just writing this out and being aware it can be a trigger for me (trigger for a craving/habit, but not to smoke).
It also got me thinking about the new found freedom and lack of worrying while traveling I will have since I don't smoke anymore! Who cares if a flight is delayed. I don't NEED to smoke and I will not be freaking out because I can't smoke in the airport or on a plane! I won't need to worry about smoking in a non-smoking hotel room or in a rental car. I won't be worrying about how long until I can have that next smoke because that world is gone and I have a new found freedom!
