Laurel, what a great story. I really enjoyed reading it. I could almost feel your emotions as you re-created what you were feeling in those weeks.
One of my friends quit smoking two years ago after about 35 years of being a smoker. She was in the same boat you were. And after the "novelty" wore off, as you said, she found herself having a tough time again. She read an article that explained it in a way that made total sense to her. From the moment a person starts using smoking as a coping mechanism, part of their ability to cope stops developing. In other words, if smoking becomes something that helps you cope starting at age 15, part of your coping skills remain stuck at age 15. You didn't develop them past that point. So what you are doing now is learning new coping skills. You're moving forward psychologically as well as physically, and there's bound to be some discomfort in that.
The good news is, at this age we learn quick!! The more days you go without cigarettes, the less your mind sees that as one of its tools to use.
I love that you say that you are learning to think like a winner rather than a slave. That's inspiring!!! And what a champ you are for joining Nicotine Anonymous!
For others who are interested, here's a link: http://www.nicotine-anonymous.org/
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Laurel, what a great story. I really enjoyed reading it. I could almost feel your emotions as you re-created what you were feeling in those weeks.
One of my friends quit smoking two years ago after about 35 years of being a smoker. She was in the same boat you were. And after the "novelty" wore off, as you said, she found herself having a tough time again. She read an article that explained it in a way that made total sense to her. From the moment a person starts using smoking as a coping mechanism, part of their ability to cope stops developing. In other words, if smoking becomes something that helps you cope starting at age 15, part of your coping skills remain stuck at age 15. You didn't develop them past that point. So what you are doing now is learning new coping skills. You're moving forward psychologically as well as physically, and there's bound to be some discomfort in that.
The good news is, at this age we learn quick!! The more days you go without cigarettes, the less your mind sees that as one of its tools to use.
I love that you say that you are learning to think like a winner rather than a slave. That's inspiring!!! And what a champ you are for joining Nicotine Anonymous!
For others who are interested, here's a link: http://www.nicotine-anonymous.org/
Tell them Laurel sent you!!! =)
September 3, 2009 - 8:49amThis Comment
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