The quote “whether you think you can or you can’t, either way you’ll be right” (cited in the article) is something I have always lived by.  It’s probably why I smoked for as long as I did.  I remember repeating to myself over and over again that school is too stressful right now to quit, my family life is too chaotic to quit, I need to drive across the country and I can’t go 5,000+ km without a smoke, etc.  And, yes I thought I couldn’t quit and I was right. 

For the past few days (I cannot believe it’s been already 4!), I have tried to rephrase my thinking, rearrange my habit, and tackle negative thoughts with positive ones.  I can quit even if school is stressful, and I can quit when my family life is anything but calm, and I can quit on long travels, I can quit!  And, I will be right.

Here’s to another day smoke-free! 

Sydney,

Perhaps, take the mini-break to prepare yourself for the real quit.  It’s a good time to identify your cravings and come up with a coping plan.  In the weeks leading up to my quit, I spent my ‘smoke breaks’ rehearsing all the reasons I wanted to quit and visualizing myself as a non-smoker.  During these past four days, I have often referred to these lists to keep me strong and focused. 

Good luck

~ Alice

I survived hell week.  The seven days went surprisingly fast!  But, I have this nagging thought that I have lost half my personality.  It’s not so much that I miss that part of me; it’s just that I feel less complete.  The last few nights dread has gripped me and left me feeling afraid, stressed, and a tad emotional. 

I have been reading past posts and I realize that this is somewhat normal but I still feel unsatisfied.  I have tried to make the non-smoking personality more whole by recreating a stronger, healthier image.  And, yes, this has helped tremendously. 

I can liken this process to a funeral.  I am from a Russian background and have always felt that the traditional funerals are the only way to truly say goodbye and to move on.  It’s a process of three intense and grueling days filled with tears, hymns, prayer, storey telling, delicious food (borsht, lapsha, and pastries), laughter, and finally a feeling of release.  After a period of six weeks and after a year, friends and relatives gather at the grave in memory of the dead person (always leaving a dish of salt, a loaf of bread and a jug of water:  three elements that comprise the Trinity of life).  As time passes, so does the pain and sorrow.

In a morbid way, I have spent the past seven days at a funeral.  I have cried, listened to the Rolling Stones (I know, not exactly Russian hymns), prayed the cravings would pass, reminisced about all the great and bad times with the cigarettes, ate delicious food (that tastes amazing), laughed, and finally feel content in truly saying goodbye.  To keep with tradition, I will repeat the ritual (probably more often than the required 6 weeks and after one year) and knowing that as day’s rolls into weeks, and weeks into months, and months into years, the pain will become smaller, the harsh memories will fade, and my personality will become whole again. 

??????? (thank you)

Alice