SOMETIMES IT’S THAT SIMPLE …..

You know how it is folks, you get this ludicrous idea in your head that you want a smoke and no matter what you do you just can’t stop thinking that you NEED a cigarette. The fact of the matter is that the more you try to tell yourself that you don’t want one, the more you crave one.

It takes me back to when I was a child and until I learnt different (that is, until I learn that what I did still didn’t get me what I wanted!) I used to paddy and throw a tantrum so imagine me now people - laid on my stomach, full length, on the floor and my fists are beating you know what out of the carpet and my feet are doing the same and I’m screaming my head off saying I want a cig, I want a cig and my two dogs are sat looking at me like I’m barking mad (get it? – good!) and then the younger one gives me a big, sopping wet through, kiss on the nose. Well, that certainly brought me to my senses and pretty darn quickly as well.

So, I’m doing what I always do when I have these urges to smoke and that is writing about it – in other words, diverting my attention away from that thought. I could actually do some knitting, hand or French, but naw don’t fancy that just at the moment or I could read having rediscovered the joys of a good book in the last couple of days. But for some unknown reason nothing, but nothing, seems to alleviate my craving like a good typing session.

Now whether you are aware of this or not but a good typing session usually results in a long blog which means that unless you have a will of iron in that you can resist the temptation of clicking on the title (just to see what the silly woman is saying this time) you suffer for my cravings too! So sorry people but you don’t have to look – honest – I won’t be offended (oh boo hoo hoo!! nobody likes me or my blogs anymore! - perhaps they didn't like me in the first place ohhhh double boo hoo hoo hooooooo!!!!!!).

It’s strange how these cravings just come out of nowhere – one minute you’re fine and the furthest thought from your mind is the smoking of a cigarette and the next – bang – it hits you head on with such force and all you can think is I want, I want, I really, really do want. We all must be mentally so strong as we resist time and time again the calling of just that one cigarette. I’m actually telling myself now that if I had just the one, the likelihood is that I would have felt dizzy and sick and possibly been physically sick which would have served me jolly well right, wouldn’t you agree?!

Now I can’t inflict all this pain on you every time I have a craving so what else can I do to take my mind off the desire? Well, I can do crosswords but I hasten to add that they must be easy – well the clues will have to be for me to be able to answer them. Must admit, when working I do the ‘quick’ crossword in our local paper but when I do it quick is not an option – slow to virtual standstill is a better description and even then I need the assistance of a dictionary so you can understand why I don’t do the cryptic one! One good thing to come out of (attempting) to do the crossword is the number of new words I have learnt – you wouldn’t believe how interesting a dictionary can be especially when trying to take your mind off other things!

There are many ways to take our mind off things that we don’t really want to think about and thankfully for you, my craving has now passed and vanished into the distance (perhaps with luck gone for a long walk off a short pier never to return but that’s a bit doubtful and possibly wishful thinking on my part) so just a short blog tonight.

Do us a favour though – if you do or can think of anything else that could be done for those few minutes whilst the craving passes us by – share it with us. You never know you might just save someone from a tumble and fall!

Like the title says, sometimes it’s that simple – the diverting of our attention on to other things can mean the difference between a near miss and a direct hit!

Hope you all have had a lovely smoke and stress free day. Probably catch up with you all later on. But for now, take care and remember, TOGETHER WE ARE DOING THIS!

Butts

PS Photo is of my youngest!

[buddyboo]

when the cravings get really bad...and I m all screamed out..I either take the dog for a long walk, or have a luxurious, steaming hot bubble bath and soak for hours. you dont want to smoke and get all smelly when you're feeling that clean and if that fails i go to bed and sulk a bit...then before I know it its morning and a new day! keep on keeping on we're all here with you. jane x

[Hidden]

Hi Buttons,

Yep... I know the feeling well!

But this time - one day at a time, it's my intention not too smoke a cigarette. Sometimes, I have to break it down into half hours - like, okay I'm craving, but can I wait until 2 'O clock? (or whatever time I pick). Sometimes, even just for the next 3 minutes!

I know Nicotine is incredibly powerful stuff. But we have a choice - smoke, or don't.

I honestly believe it will get easier, and eventually, our smoking years will be, well - just another memory really.

Don't give in Butts - you're putting all you have into this choice you've made, (and helping me and others on here). And that takes real guts.

So... stay close here, and "just don't take that first puff",

Your dog is a beaut' by the way!

Sleep well... you'll be fine, you'll see.

Night, Gill, xxx

[nixy 27 Months Winner]

Well you dont't want to do what I do when I get a craving, I seem to have substituted chewing, anythng, sweets chocolate hot cross buns, fruit, lollypops. If it's there I will eat it. Putting on weight, but I just don't want to smoke again. Nine weeks without the evil weed. Will just have to tackle the extra weight later. (better not leave it for too long or I will burst) We just have to keep going with what ever method suits us best. Happy no smoking day everyone. Mmm think I fancy a sweet or two or several, yum yum.