As the title says, here we go with starting on the journey to be smoke free. Up until today I have been a smoker of 25-30 cigarettes a day, but was given the final motivation needed over the weekend to quit.
I have two children aged 3 and 9 months and since having them have lived in a smoke free house, standing on the patio in all weathers to have a cigarette realising the whole time how daft I am but never giving a second thought to giving up.
The motivation came yesterday morning, when as a family we drove to a cafe to have a nice Sunday morning cooked breakfast. Upon leaving the cafe I immediately sparked up a cigarette and then realised my 3 year old son was walking alongside me mimicking the actions of lighting up and pretend puffing.
A little further down the road he said to me 'I'm having a cigarette Daddy to be like you'. When we arrived at the car he threw his pretend cigarette to the floor before stamping it out and told me 'he was just finishing his cigarette'.
This tugged at my heart strings like you wouldn't believe... obviously I've know that ultimately he would copy what Daddy does, as like with anything else he always wants to be where Daddy is and doing what Daddy is doing.
So at 9.30am this morning, following a trip to the chemists for patches, my journey to giving up completely has begun.
The cigarettes in the car and my pockets have found their way into the bin, and when I get home this evening any cigarettes and lighters will find themselves also in the bin.
I will be checking in here regularly for support as I'm sure it's going to be tough. Having been a smoker for 20 years, it feels like it's a part of my life and almost my identity I'm giving up, but will constantly be reminding myself of the reason above and my two children along the way and how much better we'll all be off as a result of my quitting.
Look forward to chatting to some more of you soon.
Matt
Written by
nsd_user663_58329
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Do you know, before I started off my quit 'it's part of my identity' was my battle cry. I felt I couldn't relinquish smoking it because it defined me - in good times and bad it kept me going. It was that last little vestige of my rebellious youth and I was very reluctant to let it go.
Oh, but I have learned such a lesson over the last couple of years. Smoking didn't define me (constrained me, more like.) It was just something I happened to do, it had no greater power than that in terms of my character. Yes, being without a fag in your hand takes some getting used to, after so many years, but stopping smoking doesn't change who you are. Except in the best ways possible. And it gets easier and easier the longer you go on.
You have SUCH a good motivation for stopping. Keep the memory of that moment fresh in your mind, put your best foot forward, and take it one day at a time. You'll find all the support and encouragement (and occasional boots up the bum) that you need on this site. It's a godsend.
As the title says, here we go with starting on the journey to be smoke free. Up until today I have been a smoker of 25-30 cigarettes a day, but was given the final motivation needed over the weekend to quit.
I have two children aged 3 and 9 months and since having them have lived in a smoke free house, standing on the patio in all weathers to have a cigarette realising the whole time how daft I am but never giving a second thought to giving up.
The motivation came yesterday morning, when as a family we drove to a cafe to have a nice Sunday morning cooked breakfast. Upon leaving the cafe I immediately sparked up a cigarette and then realised my 3 year old son was walking alongside me mimicking the actions of lighting up and pretend puffing.
A little further down the road he said to me 'I'm having a cigarette Daddy to be like you'. When we arrived at the car he threw his pretend cigarette to the floor before stamping it out and told me 'he was just finishing his cigarette'.
This tugged at my heart strings like you wouldn't believe... obviously I've know that ultimately he would copy what Daddy does, as like with anything else he always wants to be where Daddy is and doing what Daddy is doing.
So at 9.30am this morning, following a trip to the chemists for patches, my journey to giving up completely has begun.
The cigarettes in the car and my pockets have found their way into the bin, and when I get home this evening any cigarettes and lighters will find themselves also in the bin.
I will be checking in here regularly for support as I'm sure it's going to be tough. Having been a smoker for 20 years, it feels like it's a part of my life and almost my identity I'm giving up, but will constantly be reminding myself of the reason above and my two children along the way and how much better we'll all be off as a result of my quitting.
Look forward to chatting to some more of you soon.
Matt
Wow, thanks for sharing Matt.
I don't have any children but can imagine that it must be quite a shock to see and hear them mimicking your actions. We all know that children tend to do this anyway, but I don't think you really give it too much thought until it actually happens.
Good luck with your quit and please feel free to post on here anytime.
Thanks for your messages so far, have spent most of the day reading the motivational stories on here to keep the moral up so to speak and remind myself if other people can do it, so can I.
Obviously this non-smoking is all very new and at times has been tough today, but just keep reminding myself of the reasons and it whilst it doesn't take the immediate craving away, it does allow me to rationalise in my head for a few minutes the reason I'm not running out into the back garden for a quick smoke and allow me to get some control back over the cravings.
The feeling that smoking is part of your identity is very common, but it is the addiction talking and is complete illusion.
I'm sure you'll find it a bit hard to believe at the moment but take it from those who are a little further in their journey that there will come a point where you feel just like the same old you (but a newer better version), and smoking is no more than a fleeting thought which only rarely enters your head.
Into day 2 now, and whilst it's had it's moments, it's been manageable and can get passed the worst bits by just concentrating on a different task.
To be honest the strangest thing for me so far is the fact that I have realised how many things I used to do around smoking ie. I'll just do this task and then have a cigarette etc. At least half a dozen times, I've found myself walking to the back door before realising that I don't need to go outside as I have no intention of smoking and almost feeling a bit lost.
The other thing that is helping me is to remind myself that when I do get the cravings, they are no different to cravings I've had in the past. What I mean by that, as I'm sure most of you may remember, is the 'anxiousness' felt during dinner in a restuarant, or watching a movie in the cinema or a long car journey where you're not able to smoke. Those feelings aren't hugely different to the cravings I currently feel, but am reminding myself that in time they won't be there anymore, whereas if I was still a smoker I'd get those feelings on a regular basis.
Again I'm sure there will be some very trying times ahead, but keep thinking just by taking one day at a time I'll manage.... reading on here as well, that if so many people have managed to give up smoking, then I sure as hell can.
I also know that I curse the day that I ever started smoking. But I can't wait to adjust to this new life of not living every moment around when I can have a fag, spending stupid amounts of money unnecessarily and not be judged because I am constantly running outside 'for some fresh air'.
Will be back soon to chat to you all some more - thanks again for your words of advice and wisdom, they are of huge support and help!
Please stay encouraged. I did the best thing I've ever done in my life after 40 years of smoking up to 50 a day, I gave up on 15th March and feel so much better for it - although a bit heavier, but that is temporary and will soon also be a thing of the past.
I feel less lethargic, tired than I even realized was brought on by my smoking, life feels a whole lot better, and you have even more reason to quit than I did.
Well done Matt - just fantastic and what a motivation to stop
A few months back i looked in the mirror of my car where my 3 year old niece was sitting in her car seat "puffing away". when i asked her what she was doing she said "im smoking like aunty newstart". it will haunt me for the rest of my life and a huge motivator to keep going.
Getting through your "firsts" over the first couple of days is a milestone - the first coffee, the first lunchbreak, the first after dinner cig and so on so on.
I found changing my routine REALLY helped as i would automatically head to the back door at all my normal trigger points. Simple things like changing my breakfast to before my shower, going for a walk after my dinner, going shopping at lunchtime - all things i wouldnt have done before.
Well done you and keep it up - be proud of yourself, one day at a time and no matter what it gets easier
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Here We Go...Again!!!
Here we go round again...
Say Here We Go Again
