Monday next week
As of Monday next week I will begin what will probably be the task of a lifetime as I give up smoking after 20 years. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a lot of people will automatically assume that giving up is easy, well I don't know if it is or isn't, as I have never tried. I'm obviously rather, well nervous, I guess. I don't know why, perhaps it's the idea of failure or maybe it is because I actually enjoy the habit; or maybe it is because I'm frightened of having the mood swings and headaches often associated with giving up. Either way I know deep down that it will not be a pleasant experience.
When I said I enjoyed the habit, I think that was a little white lie. I think I enjoy the structure of the habit. Arguably the only cigarettes I truly enjoy are the ones after a good meal and the first one in the morning with my coffee. Other than those I guess the rest are habitual and excuses to remove my sorry arse outside of the office.
I'm going for the cold turkey method, I figured that if I was going to give this a shot I would try the hardest method first and if I fail at that then I can try the slightly easy methods of patches or tablets provided by the good doctor. Why? I want the experience of giving up to be so hard that I don't ever take up the habit again, sounds stupid but I know my psychology, if I go through mental torture to quit I probably won't ever want to go through it again and so I will give up. If I take the soft option I'll lapse and tell myself "hey it's easy, just get more of those tablets/patches, you can give up any time you want" - That will lead me down the inevitable path of the Ying Yang of smoker... non-smoker... have a drink, smoke some ciggys, give up again etc... No thanks.
I'm in my early 30's, I've smoked properly since I was 15, spent a great deal of time in smoky clubs, pubs and I am now starting to notice the effects of that - it is time to knock it on the head.
#1. Rob Foxx
Posted about 4 months ago
Best of luck with it mate. :)
#2. Perki
Posted about 4 months ago
Good luck dude... hope its not as difficult as you're expecting... i've never tried giving up, the odd time when i've been ill i've not smoked and broken the illusive '3 Day Hump' and then started again, so i guess i'm just not ready yet.
According to a lot of people, unless you're in the right mindset to quit it'll never happen, you're obviously ready to embark upon the cold sweat journey that is 'becoming a non-smoker'...
good luck! :)
#3. Ralpharama
Posted about 4 months ago
There are very few people I have ever met that make it into their 30s smoking, that then manage to give up completely, forever... Forever, like, until the end of your life? I'm never prepared to make such promises. I tend to say, I'm giving up for a few years, then see how it goes... Good luck!
#4. tek
Posted about 4 months ago
Cheers folks.
Ralph, I agree which is why I am not really looking forward to it. However, when I run a set of stairs at 33 and get out of breath it is time to consider a few life options. I've spent 20 years smoking unfiltered, well unless you consider a roll of cardboard a filter as it were ;) and yes I will be doing this with the frame of mind that it will be for the rest of my life.
Oh the irony - the validation for the CAPTCHA is smkytn is it a sign?
#5. Neil
Posted about 4 months ago
You can do it, and you will. And in a couple of years time it will be like it never happened.
#6. tek
Posted about 4 months ago
Let's hope so, I really do want to give up now.
#7. Narelle
Posted about 4 months ago
Hey, how's the quitting going? Sticking with it? I know loads of people who quit, some find it easier than others. It's a totally unique experience. Hope you're doing ok!
#8. tek
Posted about 4 months ago
I totally failed after 12 hours. I'm getting a pack thing sent to me and some tablets from the docs to lessen the cold turkey symptoms.
#9. Narelle
Posted about 4 months ago
Just keep trying, you'll get there eventually! Have you had a look at champix? It's meant to be really good and I know a few people who have sucessfully quit through it. I think you can get it prescribed through your doctor so you don't have to pay full whack for it. Might be a way to go?
