Darlings! I've decked myself out in fur and spangles and I'm clutching a bottle of champagne and flinging open the doors of the penthouse.
ONE YEAR QUIT!
I am - it must be said - spectacularly proud of myself.
Man, it's been a bumpy road. But here I am!
A year ago today, I stood in my back garden sick, shivering, trying to force down lungfuls of smoke despite the fact that I was coughing myself nearly sick. Even when I didn't have the flu (which is what precipitated this quit) I woke every night coughing. I woke every morning coughing. I coughed all the bloody time, and got through asthma inhalers at an alarming rate. My skin was grey, my fingers and teeth were yellowing. I was constantly sneaking away from the kids to smoke, I got irritable with them for demanding my attention when I wanted to get into the garden and gasp down a fag. I was so sick of being enslaved to a weed but I believed it was part of my identity, the last vestige of my youthful rebellion. I thought I liked it. But I knew I had to stop.
Now I'm a whole year down the road. I never cough any more, my skin is brighter, my teeth are whiter, I'm more patient, more self aware, and infinitely happier.
I'm not going to say I never think of smoking, because that would be a lie. Every now and then I stop, sigh, think 'I would have smoked now', and I suppose in a very detached way I could say I 'miss' it. But, having withstood an entire year of triggers - occasions, arguments, stress, bereavement, holiday, sunshine, aggravating kids, worry, boredom, you name it - I'm pretty sure that there's nothing life can throw at me that would induce me to go back to smoking. I simply don't want to be a smoker any more. It categorically is *not* an integral part of my identity. It never was; that was just an excuse.
The biggest thing I have learned is that it is all about choice. It's a stark, bald fact that when the trigger comes, whatever it may be, it boils down to you choosing to light up, or not. That's all there is to it. And it's a lot easier to say 'no' to that first tempting cigarette than it is to light up... and then try and resist the next thousand of the b**ards. Personal responsibility, that's where it's at. Not easy, as we all know. God knows I'm hopelessly weak willed and pathetic most of the time. But really, life is short, and I want to enjoy my time on this planet.
To those who are starting out on this road, please have faith in those who tell you that it gets easier and easier. God knows, I know it doesn't feel that way, but it truly does. Take it one day at a time. Don't lose sight of why you're doing it. Understand yourself, and your addiction, and keep making the right choice no matter what. Oh, and make full use of this forum. Without it, I would never have made it, and I thank each and every one of the people on here who reached out to help me when I struggled.
It's easy to skip past those 'I would have smoked' times now, it causes me no pain. I never thought I would reach that point, it took me some months to battle my demons and climb my personal mountain, but I'm here now and I wouldn't change the view for the world.
My, they have this penthouse decked out nice for Christmas. Champagne anyone? Or shall we put on a show? The luvvie has arrived!
Helen x
PS Sorry for the humungously long post but if this occasion doesn't merit it, I don't know what does!
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All of those who "can't" quit, should read this. Repeated constant choice to steadfastly stand by the decision you made that quitting was right will see you out the other side.
well done on your one year birthday !!!i quit 14th december on patches not been to bad but this morning i feel like crap ! i have headache,feel sick and feel so wooly headed its unreal please tell me this is a side effect and will go away , the good news is i am not coughing,can breathe with ease and i dont stink and do not really want a cig!!!
A great post that rings true in lots of ways. All the excuses for saying "well, this happened so I had to smoke", is all just excuses we gave ourselves to have a reason to smoke.
Congratulations on a fantastic acheivement.. Looking forward to getting there myself next September! Well done and happy Christmas!
What an amazing thread well done what an amazing achievement get comfy in penthouse and put a xmas movie on and have a glass of champers its well deserved.
Is it true that someone else does all the cooking and cleaning in there? lol
I have just read your post and welcome to the Penthouse ( was that you that was drunk and dancing on the tables the other night). I am a year in front of you and I could relate to every aspect of your post, you should now be ready to enjoy the rest of you life smoke free.
Well done Hels! I love the fact that I read lots of threads from starters struggling to quit (including mine), suffering cravings etc and those that get to the penthouse have mainly the word 'choice' in their post. Its true. It boils down to to that. Finding the way to understanding that 'choice' can be a rocky road indeed, but for those that come out of the other side its a total brilliant achievement! Fab!
My sister in law was telling me today how much better I look this Christmas season than I did a year ago. She didn't know I smoked in the first place (I was a really REALLY secret smoker :D) so this wasn't said to bolster my quit or anything.
I looked in the mirror and thought, you know, she's right. I put on weight, but I needed to. By the end of that hideous flu last year I weighed 6.5 stone and I'm 5' 7'' :eek: My skin is better, my teeth brighter, I'm a year older but there's absolutely no doubt I look younger!
Which is all an added bonus to just generally feeling immeasureably healthier.
I love being quit! I'm so happy, I'm bouncing off the walls of the penthouse today. I promise I'll simmer down soon
Huge congratulations to all my fellow NY quitters. Each and every one of you, a star.
Just discovered this post so congratulations are in order. you help to make quitting smoking a real pleasure and an awesome achievment. i still think quitting smoking is underestimated it is the most miraculous thing in the world
I have also just found Helsbelles original penthouse post, and really love the bit about youthful rebellion...that resonates! Bloody well done, and thanks for still being so active on here..it really helps the rest of us x brilliant achievement
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Great post!
Just thought I'd stick my head round the door
