Hi Sassy,
Congratulations on your 50 days! You're doing an amazing thing for
yourself and your loved ones by quitting smoking. I'm proud of you and
want you keep up the great job. I know it isn't easy, but quitting can
be done.
It may be hard to believe this, but I don't think you have to feel
horrible about "giving up something good". Educate yourself on the
harmful aspects of nicotine additction. Knowledge of this addiction is
so powerful. We can then use our power to set ourselves free from this
crippling addiction.
What's so good about smoking anyways? Can you really name just one
positive thing about smoking? How about the smell or taste (honestly,
smoking stinks and tastes terrible doesn't it)? Is there anything good
about the damage caused to our lungs, heart or circulatory system? Can
cancer, COPD or stroke that smoking can give us at any time be
good? Do we want the stained fingers, burn holes, brown rotting teeth
or the lost money smoking burns up?
If I feel deprived, I know it's time to make another list of pros
and cons to see what it really was that I thought I liked about
smoking. Then I can know that the "wanting a cigarette right now"
feeling isn't coming from me, it's coming from my addiction. I've
prepared for those times with concrete things to do to distract, delay
or replace my cravings (examples are chewing straws, drinking water,
eating mints or laughing at a good joke). I've learned most of my
triggers and changed my routines to avoid them.
I know exactly what you mean when about the deprived feeeling. I
also know we can turn that deprived feeling around. I've learned to
think, when this craving is over (in about 3 minutes), it's one less
craving I'll ever have to endure. I think there are a limited number
of cravings for every one of us. Soon the cravings do subside and
eventually they exist no more.
Smoking is only an addiction to nicotine. Plain and simple,
there's nothing good about addiction except beating it down and living
our lives in freedom. Millions of people are doing it. I am doing
it. You can do it too!
Wishing you all the best.
Pat
