I have noticed something. This past month I've been much calmer. Granted, I've been nurturing myself and my quit, but... Well, my kids act up as much as ever, husband is out of town, I still hate having to plan & cook dinner, my house is still a mess, my birthday is coming up, my parents just came back from Florida (I have a rough relationship with my mom - she's hyper-critical!) And yet, I'm not stressing and losing my cool as much!
Huh? I'm supposed to be anxious, grumpy, and extra stressed while quitting, aren't I?
As I thought about it, I realized that smoking CREATED so much extra stress in my life.
When to get cigs and who might see me? (I was a closet smoker) Where to smoke - never in house or car, hubby, kids, friends might smell it? Do I have cash on me or need to go to bank or can I scrounge up enough change? Do I have mouthwash/gum? Lotion, perfume and/or hairspray to cover the smell? Did someone see me smoking? I need to get cigs - what excuse can I use to go out alone? Are the kids occupied enough for me to sneak outside or to garage to have one? If they look out window, will they see me? Hubby is off and we're going out for day - gotta find excuse to run outside or get him on errand so I can sneak a cig first. You get the picture.
So, once the initial discomfort of not smoking has passed, WOW life has LESS everyday stresses. My habit was contributing to the stresses. In fact, I was subconsciously creating some of the stresses so I could feed my addiction. No, my life isn't perfect now, I still have stress and issues to deal with and lots of stuff I want and don't have. But I'm handling it all better. I'm dealing with stuff, gradually.
I feel so much more free. I never before considered how much extra time and energy smoking cost me, never mind the health issues.
Here's a nice thought. Maybe someday enough smokers will have quit that the tobacco companies go out of business and smoking will be a thing of the past. And future generations will say, hey can you believe people used to do that stuff? Wouldn't that be nice? (Hey we can dream right?)
I just wanted to share this - hopefully this perspective will help some other quitters. :)
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B] 3/29/2007
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 31
[B]Cigarettes
-
Quit Meter
$119,541.83
Amount Saved
-
Quit Meter
Days: 6401
Hours: 11
Minutes: 35
Seconds: 58
Life Gained
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Quit Meter
45410
Smoke Free Days
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Quit Meter
408,690
Cigarettes Not Smoked
