Here's To A Longer Life!

At first, I seriously considered not writing this. Mostly because I don’t want to jinx myself, but also because I don’t want to risk being a hypocrite should I fail.

Anyway, I have quit smoking cigarettes. For those of you who do not know, I have been smoking for 21 years now (minus a year or so that I stopped briefly). I didn’t plan this out at all. I didn’t plan it because every time I have planned in the past, I typically find a reason not to go through with it. It’s the usual laundry list of excuses such as: “I’ll pick a less stressful time in my life to stop”, “I’ll quit when this pack/carton runs out”, “I’ll start the new year out smoke-free”. I wonder how many times those reasons have actually been successful?

I decided to quit on a whim. My co-worker, who has been smoking longer than I, decided to quit. I told him that if he quit, then I would too. I figured it would be easier to quit if I had someone to quit with. It will be especially helpful if he doesn’t step out to smoke. Truthfully, I don’t think he will actually quit because he doesn’t have the will power to actually go through with it. Why do I think this, you ask?

He went to his doctor and got a prescription for this new drug called Chantix to help him. I chose to do it the hard way by going “cold turkey”. The primary difference between quitting cold turkey and seeking the assistance of a drug is that no real will is involved when using the drug. To stop the way that I have is harder because not only am I breaking the physical addiction, I am also forcing myself to break the force of habit without any sort of cushioning. All of the triggers that I had before now that would have normally seen me running for the smoking area have been broken. I drove to and from work without a single smoke, whereas I would have normally smoke 3 cigarettes. I had a stressful day at work because my co-worker didn’t show up (he was “sick”) and I did so without a single cigarette. I went to the grocery store on Monday afternoon and did not light up even once. I even refrained from smoking after meals and when I first woke up in the morning. It has now officially two days since I stopped. I know that the road is not nearly smooth just yet, but I feel good about it so far because most of the toughest parts are out of the way.

I have had people ask me what I was using to help me stop. They’ve asked about the patch, gum, Zyban and Chantix. I tell them that I use nothing because “I am a MOTHER-F**KIN’ MAN”! While that statement is true, it is only true to an extent. I have to admit that I have been a crabby asshole since I have stopped and Stacie has been a saint to put up with me. I try not to say much so as to avoid unnecessary arguments, but some things just cannot be avoided. I am just happy that I have Stacie here to help me get through the toughest parts. Without her, I wouldn’t even try to stop. So far, so good.