--Eleanor Roosevelt.
I start Day 2 off with a quote, wise in it's reflections and correct in supposition. It especially rings true with respect to creating new habits and quitting old ones. The letting go of a coping behavior is always a fearful process and requires at least a bit of introspection. Why is it that I feel I want to smoke a cigarette? I know that addiction plays its part, but what got me started? Hmmm... brain food for the day...
Through journal writing, I have pondered the reasons I smoke and my reasons for quitting, which are as follows:Reasons I smoke
-To get a break from the chaos and noise of my children throughout the day
(I'm realizing that self-care is seriously lacking in my daily life!)
-To be outside (I'm missing the outdoors)
-Socially (I have a few really close friends who smoke)
-Addiction does play a part in my habit, as well as habit (haha)
-The feeling of rebellious independence in the choice to smoke against better judgment and the urgings of so many others (all of whom I respect and love).
Reasons to quit
-My health
-To be a good example for my girls
-To help Brandon not to smoke and for his health
-I'll smell better and my teeth will not be tarnished
-To save money
-I won't have to hear people harass me about the evils of smoking anymore
Thus have my musings led me today. I have smoked 3 cigarettes today. Not the best, but far better than 10! I'm still focused on not smoking. The frustrating thing is that if you focus on NOT doing something, you'll be thinking of the very thing you do not want to do. So... I need to figure out something to think of INSTEAD of smoking... Any suggestions? My ideas are: cleaning, reading, exercising, or playing a quick game with the girls. What say you, reader?
Don't be too hard on yourself in the beginning. Like you said, 3 is better than 10. Most people can't do it cold turkey. If you do it too fast your body might react more strongly than if you do it gradually.
ReplyDeleteThose are all good alternatives to smoking...you said you wanted to go outside as one of your reasons for smoking....as the weather gets better go out for a walk! Walk with your girls or with a friend. Then you'll get outside, and be social at the same time. You can do it, just one step at a time :)