Well, the holiday was interesting, tent in France rather than all inclusive to the Maldives, but with the same ambition – relaxation achieved! And I was expecting the environment to trigger thoughts of smoking.
It did a little bit – but it wasn’t as I’d expected. Some of my smoking thoughts were more out of nostalgia than anything else, that’s really what I recognised. An “if I smoked, I’d be smoking right now....but I don’t anymore and that’s great” kind of feeling every now and then, and not every day either.
More commonly it was actually the opposite. I’d see people smoking with their €5 beers, or €8 cocktails, espressos you could stand a spoon up in, I needed a few of those :eek: People smoking first thing in the morning, after a barbecue, all the situations I used to accompany with smoking, and had none of it – the overwhelming feeling was one of relief that I really didn’t *have* to do that any more.
So one tip that worked for me on holiday – if I saw someone fagging it, I’d breathe deeply, as deep as possible, and much deeper than I ever could six months ago as a smoker. Fresh air. And it made me realise instantaneously that I’ve done a very good thing here. My nostalgia soon became relief, then a bit of pride actually! :cool:
Anyhow, just another line in the sand really, I think one year is probably the biggie for me, then beyond... Six months down now, halfway to the penthouse.
Hello month 7!
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Max, I have no doubt at all, given your resolve and strenght of character that you'll be just fine. It's hard to explain, but it somehow felt as though I was cleaner this time around for not smoking?!? Being sat early evening with a good book and a coffee or aperitif with no smoking, it actually made me smile even more Enjoy the break when it happens sir!
Glad to hear you enjoyed your holiday. I agree about the deep breaths. I think it's because we took so many when we were smoking. Certainly works for me.
That's brilliant, am glad you enjoyed your smoke free holiday Hawk!!
Max, you'll be fine I'm sure of it
It's kind of an odd feeling, you're with people smoking in a situation were "normally" you would be as well but it actually feels good not to be if that makes sense?
I guess it's that we realise that while a fag in some situations (sun and drink for me especially) meant pleasure all the other ones that had to follow didn't - or maybe I'm still somewhat under the spell? Feels powerful though to be able to say no!!
I guess it's that we realise that while a fag in some situations (sun and drink for me especially) meant pleasure all the other ones that had to follow didn't - or maybe I'm still somewhat under the spell?
Actually I think we all fooled ourselves into thinking we got pleasure from those fags - but actually, we just had them at the same time as we were experiencing pleasure anyway - enjoying ourselves in the sun with a drink. The cigarette wasn't nice, the situation was. But we built a connection between the two in our minds and came to think the experience was enhanced by a cig. Just as, when stressed or angry, we would smoke. Gradually we would calm down. The cigarette didn't calm us - we just smoked at the same time as undergoing the experience, and built a mental connection.
I don't know how right or wrong that is. But I prefer to think of it that way. So if I ever get a nostalgic thought about smoking I can remind myself that they don't enhance a good situation or improve a bad one. They are just grim, full stop.
Actually I think we all fooled ourselves into thinking we got pleasure from those fags - but actually, we just had them at the same time as we were experiencing pleasure anyway - enjoying ourselves in the sun with a drink. The cigarette wasn't nice, the situation was. But we built a connection between the two in our minds and came to think the experience was enhanced by a cig. Just as, when stressed or angry, we would smoke. Gradually we would calm down. The cigarette didn't calm us - we just smoked at the same time as undergoing the experience, and built a mental connection.
I don't know how right or wrong that is. But I prefer to think of it that way. So if I ever get a nostalgic thought about smoking I can remind myself that they don't enhance a good situation or improve a bad one. They are just grim, full stop.
Big congrats Hawk, 6 months is a huge deal!
H
That makes sense Hells, just got to get my brain to catch on!!
Well done Hawkeye that's great, I think the sunshine and holidays are a big trigger for a lot of us but you've shown us it can be done, life after smoking does exist!
Wow, thanks again everyone. Yes, feels good and I think the sunshine/sand/hols bit is much easier this far in - I don't think it would be much earlier on in the quit. Anyhow, thanks for the congrats and best wishes to you all!
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