Tuesday, February 15, 2005

I guess I picked the wrong week to give up smoking.

No, really. I actually, genuinely quit. Haven't had one since 2/5/05 - go me. I was on my way to Happy Hour, and made up my mind that when the current pack ran out, I just wouldn't buy any more. (No, I haven't been smoking other people's cigarettes - I'm a princess with very specific tastes)

Well, as we all know, the universe has a very literal sense of humor - so I managed to lose the entire fucking pack of cigarettes at Happy Hour. Those of you who know me are looking for the Four Horseman right about now, because that just doesn't happen. Except it did. And I kept my word, and just.... didn't buy any more. Ultimately it's a good thing - while I'm still getting the remainder of the pollution out of my lungs, my teeth already feel whiter, and it's amazing how easy it's been.

Except for the anxiety. Oh, the anxiety. I don't know if it's nicotine withdrawal, or facing the cold stark reality of my self-inflicted financial drama, but boy howdy. It's all I can do not to invest my last $40 in a carton of calming smoke.

So while I'm applying to every feasible job opening on Monster.com, I'll just keep repeating to myself: The urge to smoke will pass whether I smoke or not. And hope it works. SOON!

posted by Space Kitty at 1:23 PM|| Comments (7)

7 Comments:

I quit 25 years ago. Poverty kept me from fulfilling my desire to smoke two packs a aday - and this when cigs were 75 cents in the expensive store. I smoked (depending on mood) Marlboros, Camel straights, Shermans, or Kreteks/Bimas/Bidis/Djarums/whatever. I don't remember the week after I quit, other than walking around telling people "I quit smoking."

As someone who's gone through it, let me offer this: if you need to shower unnecessary abuse on a total stranger rather than light up, I'm here.

-- by Blogger Chris Clarke, at 2/15/2005 3:09 PM 

For the love of heaven, please tell me you don't still have cravings. I still smoke in my dreams.

PS: Looks like your recent troll has got you more than covered on the unnecessary abuse factor - I like your writing too much to shit on your blog. But thanks. :D

-- by Blogger Space Kitty, at 2/15/2005 4:02 PM 

No, no cravings. They stopped less than a year after quitting, perhaps less than two months. I don't remember. I even went through a Cuban cigar phase a coupple years ago without kicking off cigarette cravings. And I've given up cigars too.

I still have an occasional craving for Islay single-malts, but I only stopped drinking last June.

Oh, and that troll was pretty harmless. switched names while posting from the same IP address: probably stopped when his mom told him his dinner was getting cold and the garbage wasn't going to take itself out. (And thanks for the compliment!)

-- by Blogger Chris Clarke, at 2/15/2005 5:13 PM 

Congrats! Might I suggest this book? My husband is reading another version (the one not for women, obviously) as he prepares to quit, and it really seems to be changing his attitude toward smoking. I quit over a year ago, and it's my firm opinion that you won't stop smoking until you want to not smoke more than you want to smoke. It seems this book can help. Good luck and if you fail, keep trying!

-- by Blogger Koko, at 2/17/2005 10:24 AM 

Congrats! Might I suggest this book? My husband is reading another version (the one not for women, obviously) as he prepares to quit, and it really seems to be changing his attitude toward smoking. I quit over a year ago, and it's my firm opinion that you won't stop smoking until you want to not smoke more than you want to smoke. It seems this book can help. Good luck and if you fail, keep trying!

-- by Blogger Koko, at 2/17/2005 10:25 AM 

Whoops! Sorry for the double :-/

-- by Blogger Koko, at 2/17/2005 10:25 AM 

So how'd that turn out, anyway?

-- by Blogger Chris Clarke, at 8/18/2008 8:15 PM 

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