Hello everyone, hope your summer has been going well. (Unless you're an Antipodean, in which case spring is nigh, hang on!)
At any rate, I am almost through one of the challenges of staying quit (during the 1st year anyways) - Camping season. I used to smoke a lot when I camped. A lot a lot. I gave the campfire a run for its money. And when we camped with people we know, there were a lot of smokers and so it wasn't just me smoking and a discretely coughing spouse.
So there were times when I was surrounded by smokers and I am relieved to say, it was a little gross but mainly just not interesting. I didn't want one. I recognized that I could have had one - OK not really, the husband can smell a fart at a skunk's family reunion.
But if I didn't care about upsetting my spouse, I could have had one and blamed it on the fact I was drinking. Or said "It was only one!" and put on a patch. (I still keep them on hand. One day someone will say "I have to have nicotine or I'll die!" and I'll say "Here, take this!" and then run away.)
There were lots of opportunities. There were almost finished packs everywhere. There were lighters. I even found a very old cigarette in our camper (WTF?!) There were excuses a-plenty. But I just didn't want one. Not only does it smell, but now that I know the physical signs, even otherwise healthy smokers don't look too healthy.
Next challenge - A business trip to Las Vegas. I think this will be harder because it involves many things I hate: Flying, Las Vegas, Las Vegas and Las Vegas. And then there's Las Vegas...
Wish me luck!
