Twenty long years went by, and not more than a day without a cigarette.
“Why?” you may ask.
I’m not really sure.
What happens to people if they give up the tar stick – the darb, the durrie, the dreaded dart?
They lose their smoking buddies. They get fat. They work longer without breaks. They forget to take breaks.
But what happens to those who don’t?
They cough. They spit. They die.
So, what the hell? Why not give this quitting thing a go?
It was 6.30pm, Wednesday March 12. Yep, three long weeks ago.
I really wanted to write something mildly amusing about this whole giving up thing, but it’s really not a very funny exercise.
It’s challenging (some say that’s character building).
It’s painful (some argue without it, there’s no gain).
It’s emotional (some say that’s good in a guy).
But above all, it’s enlightening. Powers of observation are increased.
I’ll try to explain what I mean:
Day 1: I discover that all people who drive white four-wheel-drives don’t like using indicators and deserve a full blast of the horn. I oblige.
Day 2: I realise queues are the bane of our existence. Why is it that when I want to buy one stamp at the post office, all those in front of me want to photocopy 28 duplicates of their life memoirs so they can apply for a passport?
Day 3: I discover I work with morons!
Day 4: I discover I live with morons!
Day 5: It’s the weekend. I’ve had time to reflect. I am a moron!
Day 6: Back to work. Why is it so difficult to complete simple tasks, people? Why? Why? Why?
Day 7: Wait, I don’t have tar breath any more. That’s a good thing. Something good is coming out of this process, except my smoking buddies are ignoring me.
Day 8: I realise sometimes we just need a little “me” time.
Day 9: My chest hurts. Do I need a doctor?
Day 10: My chest still hurts. But I realise air does get right to the bottom of your lungs when you hit middle-age.
Day 11: People complete simple tasks oh so well.
Day 12: Queues are still frustrating.
Day 13: People in white four-wheel-drives still can’t drive!
Day 14: I work with wonderful people.
Day 15: I live with wonderful people.
Day 16: I start to think, after 20 years, why has this process taken me so long?
Day 17: I fall into the trap of hypocrisy, calling a smoker “stinky”.
Day 18: I realise barbecued chicken actually tastes different to processed chicken. It gives a whole new meaning to: “Tastes like chicken.”
Day 19: What is it with people who drive white four-wheel-drives?
Day 20: I realise chicken-flavoured chips don’t really taste like chicken at all.
Day 21: Oh, crap! I’ve forgotten to take a break. I discover the water cooler and make new water cooler buddies in the process.
Anybody else quit smoking lately? Feel free to share your experience below.
I am on quit day 13, and going strong. I agree with above process, and have disovered I really don’t care for chicken as much as I once thought. I have also discovered that a few of the kids in my car pool need to bathe more often as my smell has returned. Craves are getting better, but I have been slugish, and bummed out for a day or so.
I find myself having one cigarette every Tuesday. Not sure why. I guess I don’t then feel deprived. But I find it a bit like eating KFC – great while I’m doing it, but I feel dirty afterwards. I heard a comedian once use that line to compare KFC with porn.
I am on day 11 of quitting smoking. And it is getting easier every day. I have smoked for 15 years and quit 2 times for my pregnancies and started right back up after delivery…so silly. This is the first time I have quit really for me…and I think I can do it. It’s just crazy…my biggest problem is that I really like smoking. It gives me something to do I guess. Anyway…good luck to everyone.
Day 11 of Stopping smoking, I agree with the above only times by ten and then some. Don’t know why but I took it really bad first craving like mad then no sleep and then greif then no sleep emotions and anger at simple things then no sleep then no pleasure in life no sleep to actually I like smelling nice and actually being able to spend my last pound without thinking about cigs now its ok I am used to it. Still have the odd craving but less and less
Feel great and started taking reg fitness and dance classes and eeting new peeps so its all good
Day 11 is trying to kick my butt. I have smoked for 30 years and I relate anything that is fun to smoking. It’s Friday evening and I am have serious cravings.
It’s okay… I will win this time.