Two months and ... when can I stop counting?

My two-month anniversary passed almost unnoticed, save a generous comment from an attentive reader.

That's fine with me.

I never started this blog for fame. I simply needed a place to vent.

What I am reflecting on now, two months in, is how grateful I am for quitting cold turkey.

Though gracelessly done, though I have become decidedly snarkier, fatter and more self-centred, at least I wasn't delaying the inevitable.

If I had taken a prescription drug or nicotine gum, where would I be now?

Probably only half as far along the road, with a nicotine addiction still staking a significant claim on my mind and body. I would now have to claw my way through some of the frustrations and pains that quitting cold allowed me to confront much earlier.

I am by no means near the finish line, but the path has been largely cleared.

As long as I don't fall.

I found this poem online, after I Googled "two months smoke free":

It's been one heck of a journey,
really it is no joke;
traveling this road
two months without a smoke.

It's taken me to places
where I'd surely never been,
many of which I hope
to never see again.

I started on a slippery road
with fear and trembling in my sack,
but once around the corner
I knew there was no turning back.

I climbed the highest mountain
got almost to its peak,
then along came obstacles
that turned my outlook bleak.

I found myself in valleys
where I sank so very low,
but thankfully came the angels
who lifted me in tow.

When I started on my journey
I knew not what I'd find,
in my search for freedom
and a little peace of mind.

The way seems smoother now,
the bumps not as rough;
perhaps I've just learned
that I had to get tough.

So I'll just keep on going
as long as need be,
'til the journey's end
finds me comfortable and free.

Mary L.

Comments

[aj]

I find the hardest part is always when it stops feeling hard, because that's when you convince yourself that you can have just one. You're not craving them when you're upset, but start to crave them when you're happy, and who wants to ruin their mood by *not* smoking? At least that's what I would tell myself. It always seemed logical at the time.

Good luck!

[Revy]

I quit on Jan 1st, cold turkey, pack a day smoker, and at this point there are some days that pass by without even a smoking thought.

Then there are those days where your out, you see others smoking. And you remember how enjoyable it was; Or at least you think it was enjoyable. So now begins the DENY commands.

You think to yourself, "Just 1... ".. but wait.. thats how you failed last time.

It gets easier, its all mental now, not physical at all. I imagine in 6 months I will still have the odd craving, but it will be easy to pass over.

A friend of mines father has cravings for 2 years, and supposedly the affects of smoking last 14 years.

Fun fun... for 5 years of smoking.

[Craig]

Well I just made 3 days, and 2 months are looking like a long way away and making me feel like I shouldn't brag about 3 days. Or as a friend says, 4,320 minutes!

I did the cold turkey thing the last time I quit and as Revy posted, the 6 month part got me as I started dating someone who smoked (I was desperate), and that got me going again. This time has seemed a bit easier, but that's the Zyban! I didn't want to take it, but it really worked. My girlfriend wants me to stay on it permanently as apparently I don't mind snuggling as much since I've been on it.

[sd]

While I'm not a smoker, I've been told several times that spring and summer are the worst months for the ex-smokers because of how apparent smoking culture is in the city. Smokers come out of winter hiding, and with so many patios and everyone lighting up -- i can imagine that it's a very huge challenge to stay away from it.

Best of luck to you David, you've made the right choice.

[Shan]

congrats for you!!! that's a great accomplishment esp cold turkey...i did it cold turkey as well and it was hard at the beginning oh so painful, i havent smoked in 5 months and now i look at it as repulsive....like sometimes ya the odd craving but i would never go back to it esp knowing how bad it is for you and this is the way we're all suppose to b NON SMOKERS. So its great to finally b smoke free....at the beginning it was so scary to think of not smokin but now i'm in a totally different mind frame...i would never go back to it its a horrible horrible habit that once u break free it is welllll worth it.
keep it up.....YOU be in control not the cigarettes

[AF]

Please don't ever stop counting! Every day without a cigarette is as big an accomplishment as the day before no matter how long it's been since you quit. Do AA members ever stop counting? It will be 10 years this June since I had my last cigarette and I'm thankful that I've never forgotten how hard it was to quit because the day I forget will be the day that I have that "just one" and we all know what happens then.
Congrats on your success!