Sometimes it's okay to be proud...
On Saturday it was exactly six months since I had my last cigarette.
Now just so you know, I was quite big on smoking for more than 10 years. I enjoyed cigarettes rather a lot, but mostly they were just part of who I was. Before I quit I wasn't entirely sure how it would be possible for me to get through life without cigarettes (the irony isn't lost on me). That's what concerned me the most actually; the hold that smoking had on me was so strong I was scared of quitting because I couldn't imagine not looking forward to my next cigarette.
Long story short, I got up on the morning of Sunday January 18 this year, smoked the last cigarette in the packet I had, and I have just not had one since. That's not to say it was easy, no way. Smoking was practically one of my defining characteristics and the going was pretty tough without my little tobacco friends, but here I am six months on and still smokefree. Hurrah.
Sigh. I'll be perfectly honest with you, I still miss it sometimes. I mean, I really loved smoking. Cigarettes kept me company when I was waiting to be picked up, they calmed my nerves when I was anxious or frustrated, they introduced me to many good people on smoking decks, and for some reason I couldn't cry and smoke at the same time so they acted as a tear-suppressant (weird?)
I'm not sure why I suddenly decided that on January 18th I was going to stop. I had been thinking about quitting for a few weeks leading up to that date, but I'd often thought about (and tried) to quit before so I don't know why this time was different. Looking back, it's like something clicks when you finally decide to quit for good - your resolve gets rock solid, and you know you won't fall back into the habit 4 REAL.
It's just a bummer that no one else believes you.
I was pretty sure when I stubbed that last cigarette out I wouldn't be going near another one again, but not many people in my life were so confident - fair play though, I mean why would they be? My previous quit-attempts had lasted various periods ranging from three hours to three weeks. My family were very enthusiastic but also worried it wouldn't last, I think they didn't want to get their hopes up. Joel put no pressure on me whatsoever but was obviously very supportive (and even ended up quitting the next day too).
Of course I'm grateful for the support of my friends, family, and Joel, but there was one person who really saw me through the quitting process. An ex-smoker herself, my friend Hayley inspired and encouraged me, and most of all she totally believed this was it, this was the time I'd quit for good. That's what I needed, someone who didn't just think I could quit smoking, but who thought I had quit smoking (thank you Hayley. I still love you even though you have jetted off to Europe without me).
So you get the idea, right? Giving up smoking wasn't as hard as I though it would be, but it was still very flippin' hard. I'm incredibly proud of going six months without smoking, and even though I've put on about 5kg since I quit, I can't think of a better excuse for the new squishy bits (except maybe getting pregnant, but that's way easier than quitting smoking).
Please know I'm not trying to preach at you if you're a smoker, trust me I GET IT. This is just something that I'm proud of myself for achieving. I know it's all a bit touchy-feely, but we need that sort of crap during a recession, otherwise we'd spend all days crying into our porridge/two-minute noodles/cabbage soup and wondering if we'll ever be able to afford a manicure again. So let's keep the goodness flowing and pat each other on the back; tell me, what have you done in your life that you're really proud of?
PS: if you really want to quit smoking, don't listen to anyone who tells you it's too hard or that you can't do it. You can. Amen.
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I quit smoking 10 years ago. I still miss it. The smell of tobacco is great... but the stench of cigarette smoke makes me gag now.
Congrats Jane, that's awesome!
My husband has just re-quit smoking and I am really proud of him - but we have an agreement that when he was smoking, I don't nag him too much because quitting really has to be something you do for yourself. Congrats to both you and joel for sticking with it, even when you both would have been grumpy and irritable for the same 3-4 week initial period. Fun times. What am I really proud of? On about the same day you quit smoking, I decided I was fed up with my weight (I was 12 kg over the top of my healthy weight range) and signed up to weight watchers online. I've lost 16 kg since then and I only have a few kg to go to my goal weight, and I'm still sticking to it. Plus I now run 2-3 times a week. So I'm really proud of that!
Anyone wanting to stop smoking should read Allan Carr's Easyway To Smoke Smoking written by Allan Carr. It takes away the brainwashing surrounding smoking, and it really works. Jane, you could read it now and it would help you - you just don't have the cravings anymore. I know 20 people who have used this book to help them stop - and I'm one of them. More than 11 months and counting for me, and I don't even think about smoking - haven't for months. If I can do it anyone can. Read the book!
Jane, well done. I quit after mumble mumble 25 years approx. and I would smoke a minimum of a pack of 25 a day. Alan Carr's book helped me and hubby did cold turkey. The difference between us two is amazing. We have friends that are smokers and I honestly don't mind them smoking in the house, I couldn't give a rats posterior and I can sit next to them. BUT... if you asked me to pick up a cigarette the actual thought makes me physically sick.. to hold one is Brrrr majorly big time. Whereas hubbie, still misses it and he was a long time smoker like me but a chain smoker, easily more then 25 a day, and he won't go back to it, but does miss it.
Both of us.. an extra 5kg, he can carry it, but I can't as my bum is close to the ground anyway. But I will never, ever smoke again, plus ha we can't afford to now hahhahaha. The recession has a silver lining. But I do miss the manicures, girls lunches sniff sniff.
Am not anti smokers, but to give up you have to be in the right head place at the right time, and it has to be YOUR decision, not spouse, family, media or peer pressure.
So there are two sides of the coin as to how two people gave up.. this Xmas it will be 3 years, which is god almighty amazing !!
Yeh for Jane!!! WELL DONE! That's awesome =) I've never been a smoker however my partner has tried to give up a couple of times and has always gone back within a few months. You and Joel should both be super proud of yourselves. Hope you've saved all that money you would've spent on ciggies to buy yourself something nice.
Nice one Jane!!! I'd just like to add that thanks to your blog about quitting and also the comments it inspired me to quit too. That was in February and I have not looked back since, it's also thanks to a great hubby (who didn't smoke) and friends who supported me and had faith that it was the last time I would smoke. It's great being a non smoker now but like you there are days when I miss it but would never go back to it!!! So thanks Jane :-)
Yay! Good on you guys for sticking it out - keep up the great work!
I'm proud of the fact that I've made it to 3 years with the same person today! No mean feat considering my longest relationship before that was 11 months. It's not always easy but we have stuck together and now we're engaged so I guess I've found a winner :)
10 years ago when I met my now hubby he was a pack a day smoker. I am a severe asthmatic. One day I said to him that I just couldnt have a future with him because of the smoking as it was making me seriously sick. I asked him to quit and expected it would take some time. He put down the cigarette he had and has never had one since.
Ive been told that i'm a nasty piece of work for giving him an ultimatum, but he's stoked that he's now been a non-smoker for 10 years. He needed a reason and I was it.
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Nice work Jane!!!! Ive quit for roughly the same amount of time, it feels good dunnit?