shazzan
140 posts
Registered:
06 Nov 2018
24 Nov 2018
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So great to be free. If only at sweet sixteen i had put down the cigarettes! It's been a journey though. 16 glorious smoke fee days now. Some have it rougher than others now, but overall I would tell anyone planning to quit that it was much easier than we have been led to believe .
Society itself was in part responsible for getting us hooked. Commercials everywhere, and on tv then. Stars smoked in the movies, glamorizing the cigarette. The government allowed it. Cigarettes were sent overseas to the U.S military free, and they came back hooked. Tobacco companies were allowed to but arsenic in with the tobacco to get it into the blood stream faster to get that immediate feeling of relaxation. We as smokers lied to others and ourselves about how we ,enjoyed smoking and how it made us relaxed, how it soothed our stress. We know how untrue that is now!
We need to encourage others to quit, but we know they will only bury their heads like we did, but maybe we can find an approach . Just keep dropping hints like- it is great to be free, I can do some of the things i used to do since quitting, I can breathe better since quitting, Don't bombard them with all, let them absorb it and maybe they will ask. Was it hard? I say "not nearly has hard as i was led to believe". You did it, give them hope they can do it too. You are their inspiration now, they are happy for you, but they are jealous as well. If they show an interest , just smile and say well, if you want to have a coffee/drink and discuss it when you are ready, let me know. We know scare tactics and bullying don't work. Not initially anyways, but they sure help in staying quit!
Most people don't think they can quit because it is too hard because of the cravings. Again, we have to minimize their fear before they will act. I know i had it easier than most. But i am proof that it does not have to be a difficult process either. If they come wanting to quit and unfearful, with hope the cravings will be minimal they will succeed.
Be sneaky and give some one a gift of Allan Carrs book and say just read it, it will make you feel better about quitting, if you know a little more about it. Bam, hooked on the book and not the cigarettes.
Oh to be sweet 16 again, but this is as close as i'm gonna get. 16 Wonderful smoke-free days of being a Happy Non-Smoker. Enjoy your day everyone!