First off I would like to thank everyone for their comments, support and the many wonderful new resources you've all given me.
I've made it through roughly half the book recommended to me and it's already helped move me toward my eventual goal.
Many of the fears I expressed in my first post are changed already. They may not be gone quite yet but they are shifting in to a better light. I understand my addiction better and I am able to start rethinking my fears and see them for what they are.
At this point I don't feel any panic, though it does creep up on me at times.
After spending some time on this site looking at the posts of others and reading the many resources shared here I made a decision, and a new plan.
I spoke to my sister and my husband about the things I wrote, and those that I read here and we've all decided to quit together.
My sister and I spent about an hour making signs to post around the house. Little notes to remind ourselves of the benefits of quitting. Positive reinforcement displayed for everyone who visits my house, and for those of us who live here. We included things that we often ask ourselves but never really think about, like "Why do you smoke?" This note reminds me to stop and think about why I am smoking or why I feel like I want to. Every time we see the signs we've posted we take another minute to think, and more often than no it gets us to start a conversation. Instead of picking up another cigarette we talk about how we're feeling and we're able to move past the strongest urge to smoke again.
When I started to quit with her before I was never quite honest with her and the things that I was doing were only making it more difficult for the both of us. Now we are working together and keeping everything out in the open.
I've encouraged her to at the very least, check out this site, I told my husband the same. With his work schedule I don't think he will be able to but I am ready and willing to share with him everything that I've found here to help him on his way to being smoke free.
Today I am optimistic, or at least mostly so.
In the back of my mind small doubts are still futtering about trying to weasel their way to the top but I have a better handle on them today. I've cut down the number of cigarettes I smoke a day, and found several ways that help me move past the craving to smoke. I'm not completely free of them yet but they aren't in complete control of me any more.
There is one thing I do have quite a lot of trouble with though.
Smoking in the car.
This part of my day is a rough one for me. It is equally difficult for my husband and sister, in part because I can not seperate myself from smoking there.
Any tips on how to get past this one?
Again thank you all so much for the help you've already given, and for the hope and drive that you have inspired in me.
