Success!!!
I made it through my thirty days!
I hope you can say that for yourself right now too.
Now the question is: will you ever smoke again?
You definitely beat the habit, but you may think back now.
The trick is, as always, to ignore it.
Because you'll see that you'll have forgotten about that pretty fast.
And I'm quite positive that a short thought on picking up smoking again that you'll have lost a few minutes later isn't worth the trouble again.
Just remember: you're now free of that addiction.
And even if you have to say no to something that you maybe even enjoyed for a while, remember to keep your ultimate goal in mind.
If for some reason the craving for smoking is still haunting you constantly and you feel like saying "I did my time, I'll go back to smoking now.", feel free to rename your quitting schedule to "Stop Smoking in 60 Days" :D
Look at yourself, evaluate:
How much money did you save?
How much better does your skin/face look?
How much less do you pant after chasing the bus in the morning?
How much better do you/your home/your clothes smell?
Doesn't the difference make you confident?
It surely should.
Welcome to a longer, healthier life. Give yourself a pat on the back, and tackle those challenges of your life with new found strength.
Mittwoch, 31. Januar 2007
Dienstag, 30. Januar 2007
My Twenty-ninth Day
Hey everybody!
You may wonder whyI didn't write anything for about a week.
Well, to be completely honest... I didn't know about what.
I didn't think about smoking, so I kind of lost sight of the blog.
I guess I actually made it already.
Nonetheless, this is the day before the last day, so sit tight and check back for another post tomorrow.
You may wonder whyI didn't write anything for about a week.
Well, to be completely honest... I didn't know about what.
I didn't think about smoking, so I kind of lost sight of the blog.
I guess I actually made it already.
Nonetheless, this is the day before the last day, so sit tight and check back for another post tomorrow.
Dienstag, 23. Januar 2007
My Twenty-first And Twenty-second Day
Hey everybody!
So we're almost into the last week.
How do you feel?
I, for myself, feel kind of like I never smoked before.
When I see cigarettes or people smoking, the idea of smoking myself feels somewhat distant.
That was exactly what I was hoping for.
My body now seems to have (re-)adjusted to a smoke-free routine, and I feel quite good about it.
My tendency to be a little smug about it makes some of my friends confused, since I had always been a pro-smoker - up to New Year's Eve, I always officially proclaimed that I actually enjoy smoking.
But then the reason for me to quit was when I remembered what it was like to smoke in the last time: I noticed that the smoker's mental impression of smoking actually appears better than smoking itself.
I always thought "Damn, I'd love a cigarette now." So I lit one up, but it wasn't quite what I "expected".
Adding the increasing health problems, I decided to quit. Just like that.
Sometimes, it is better to act fast than to think about it too thoroughly.
In most cases, when overthinking descisions too much, one ends up talking oneself into the less painful or easier solution, regardless of the consequences.
It was similar to when I got a new computer:
I was totally fed upt with Windows catching viruses all the time, having to reformat my hard drive all the time, losing all my files, constant Spyware, system crashes, enigmatic menus and so on.
So I asked myself: I 'll get a new computer - but will it be a Mac or a PC? (Linux wasn't really an option - I'm not a supergeek (and yes, I know ubuntu and so forth))
I could've told myself that sticking with Windows would probably be the best solution; wide compatibility, low prices, not having to adjust to a completely new OS - yeah, that would've been easy.
But instead, I knew that in the long run, I would end up with the same problems.
So I got a Mac - and I don't regret it.
Of course, a Mac has a few downsides too - and adjusting to the system takes a while. But it gives me what I really want: a reliable, easy-to-use system.
So don't be afraid to face challenges.
Don't aim for the easiest way out.
Be willing to go the extra mile.
Forget about your proximate happiness. Aim for the ultimate.
We already regret too much choices as it is.
So we're almost into the last week.
How do you feel?
I, for myself, feel kind of like I never smoked before.
When I see cigarettes or people smoking, the idea of smoking myself feels somewhat distant.
That was exactly what I was hoping for.
My body now seems to have (re-)adjusted to a smoke-free routine, and I feel quite good about it.
My tendency to be a little smug about it makes some of my friends confused, since I had always been a pro-smoker - up to New Year's Eve, I always officially proclaimed that I actually enjoy smoking.
But then the reason for me to quit was when I remembered what it was like to smoke in the last time: I noticed that the smoker's mental impression of smoking actually appears better than smoking itself.
I always thought "Damn, I'd love a cigarette now." So I lit one up, but it wasn't quite what I "expected".
Adding the increasing health problems, I decided to quit. Just like that.
Sometimes, it is better to act fast than to think about it too thoroughly.
In most cases, when overthinking descisions too much, one ends up talking oneself into the less painful or easier solution, regardless of the consequences.
It was similar to when I got a new computer:
I was totally fed upt with Windows catching viruses all the time, having to reformat my hard drive all the time, losing all my files, constant Spyware, system crashes, enigmatic menus and so on.
So I asked myself: I 'll get a new computer - but will it be a Mac or a PC? (Linux wasn't really an option - I'm not a supergeek (and yes, I know ubuntu and so forth))
I could've told myself that sticking with Windows would probably be the best solution; wide compatibility, low prices, not having to adjust to a completely new OS - yeah, that would've been easy.
But instead, I knew that in the long run, I would end up with the same problems.
So I got a Mac - and I don't regret it.
Of course, a Mac has a few downsides too - and adjusting to the system takes a while. But it gives me what I really want: a reliable, easy-to-use system.
So don't be afraid to face challenges.
Don't aim for the easiest way out.
Be willing to go the extra mile.
Forget about your proximate happiness. Aim for the ultimate.
We already regret too much choices as it is.
Sonntag, 21. Januar 2007
My Eighteenth, Nineteenth And Twentieth Day
Hi everyone!
So, I'm back after another weekend pause.
The only problem is, I don't really know what to write.
I haven't thought about smoking this weekend.
I guess that's a positive sign.
That brings me back to the "Out of sight, out of mind" theory; my personal conclusion is that smoking is way easier to quit than you might think.
You decide to quit, but then you're not prepared for suffering through the first days of quitting. Then you hear about nicotine gum or plasters, or some weird herb cigarettes. Because you feel the urge to fill that void with something, you go out and get one or more of those products.
But with that you're actually working away from your goal; they keep your desire alive and prevent you from what you're really trying to do: get rid of smoking once and for all.
You have to kill the nicotine craving in a battle rather than hoping to slowly famish it over some time. How does it make sense to take in nicotine a different way to get rid of the addiction?
I went through it, so I'm pretty sure you can too. Just never forget who's in charge of yourself.
So, I'm back after another weekend pause.
The only problem is, I don't really know what to write.
I haven't thought about smoking this weekend.
I guess that's a positive sign.
That brings me back to the "Out of sight, out of mind" theory; my personal conclusion is that smoking is way easier to quit than you might think.
You decide to quit, but then you're not prepared for suffering through the first days of quitting. Then you hear about nicotine gum or plasters, or some weird herb cigarettes. Because you feel the urge to fill that void with something, you go out and get one or more of those products.
But with that you're actually working away from your goal; they keep your desire alive and prevent you from what you're really trying to do: get rid of smoking once and for all.
You have to kill the nicotine craving in a battle rather than hoping to slowly famish it over some time. How does it make sense to take in nicotine a different way to get rid of the addiction?
I went through it, so I'm pretty sure you can too. Just never forget who's in charge of yourself.
Donnerstag, 18. Januar 2007
My Seventeenth Day
Hey everybody,
Today, there was a massive storm in Berlin, which prevented me from going to a concert tonight. All the subways and buses were discontinued for the evening, and some events were cancelled.
So I was stuck at home and watched some episodes of Scrubs.
I have to say that there's a certain addiction in TV series; if you like a show a lot, you can't get enough of it.
Some people tell me "What's so different about nicotine addiction? All the people addicted to whatever are all the same.".
Where is the truth in that?
Theres different types of addictions; benevolent ones and malevolent ones.
The benevolent addiction encourages you to do more of what you like.
For example, if you really like reading, you'll have a hard time putting a book down when you're addicted to it.
Malevolent addictions, however, force you to do something even if you don't want to.
Like smoking or an eating disorder.
I've seen so much people that don't want to smoke but just can't stop.
The only problem is: many people feel controlled by their addictions.
But, in fact, you aren't.
Most people just don't realize that.
They think they HAVE to give in.
But they don't.
If you know your addiction is not unhealthy, just feed it within reasonable bounds. comfort doesn't hurt. But try to learn to differenciate between those two addiction types.
Find out what your addictions are. Reject the ones that want you to go against your will.
Remember? As a kid, you probably often wished to "do what you want". You only really fulfill that dream when you're fully in control of yourself.
Today, there was a massive storm in Berlin, which prevented me from going to a concert tonight. All the subways and buses were discontinued for the evening, and some events were cancelled.
So I was stuck at home and watched some episodes of Scrubs.
I have to say that there's a certain addiction in TV series; if you like a show a lot, you can't get enough of it.
Some people tell me "What's so different about nicotine addiction? All the people addicted to whatever are all the same.".
Where is the truth in that?
Theres different types of addictions; benevolent ones and malevolent ones.
The benevolent addiction encourages you to do more of what you like.
For example, if you really like reading, you'll have a hard time putting a book down when you're addicted to it.
Malevolent addictions, however, force you to do something even if you don't want to.
Like smoking or an eating disorder.
I've seen so much people that don't want to smoke but just can't stop.
The only problem is: many people feel controlled by their addictions.
But, in fact, you aren't.
Most people just don't realize that.
They think they HAVE to give in.
But they don't.
If you know your addiction is not unhealthy, just feed it within reasonable bounds. comfort doesn't hurt. But try to learn to differenciate between those two addiction types.
Find out what your addictions are. Reject the ones that want you to go against your will.
Remember? As a kid, you probably often wished to "do what you want". You only really fulfill that dream when you're fully in control of yourself.
Mittwoch, 17. Januar 2007
My Sixteenth Day
Hey everyone!
Today was widely unspectacular.
But I talked to a friend who also told me that he tried quitting, but says that after having gone without for a few hours, he just starts freaking out.
And I also helped someone on the German Yahoo! Answers network.
She was asking about nausea and dizzyness after having quit for two days, and if that were normal.
To both I answered what I wrote already: Stick with it! It only gets better!
The first one was unsuccessful; he said he'd rather be comfortable than to really challenge himself.
But the second one was really grateful for my advice; she stuck with refraining from smoking and reported me that the dizzyness progressingly got weaker and that she was feeling better every day! Success :D
I have to admit that this actually adds to my experience. Go out and give help and experience to others who need it! Just remember one thing: Give help to people who want it. Don't waste your time trying to talk people into something they surely don't want. If somebody, for some reason, really does not want to quit, don't try to talk him or her into quitting. I mean sure, you can ask if they're interested in quitting or in your experience, but don't push em. To quit smoking, you have to WANT it. You have to want it BAD. It's hard, and it takes a lot of power to pull it off.
Another health update: my skin looks even better now.
Carry on, I'll be back with another post tomorrow.
Today was widely unspectacular.
But I talked to a friend who also told me that he tried quitting, but says that after having gone without for a few hours, he just starts freaking out.
And I also helped someone on the German Yahoo! Answers network.
She was asking about nausea and dizzyness after having quit for two days, and if that were normal.
To both I answered what I wrote already: Stick with it! It only gets better!
The first one was unsuccessful; he said he'd rather be comfortable than to really challenge himself.
But the second one was really grateful for my advice; she stuck with refraining from smoking and reported me that the dizzyness progressingly got weaker and that she was feeling better every day! Success :D
I have to admit that this actually adds to my experience. Go out and give help and experience to others who need it! Just remember one thing: Give help to people who want it. Don't waste your time trying to talk people into something they surely don't want. If somebody, for some reason, really does not want to quit, don't try to talk him or her into quitting. I mean sure, you can ask if they're interested in quitting or in your experience, but don't push em. To quit smoking, you have to WANT it. You have to want it BAD. It's hard, and it takes a lot of power to pull it off.
Another health update: my skin looks even better now.
Carry on, I'll be back with another post tomorrow.
Dienstag, 16. Januar 2007
My Fifteenth Day
Hi everyone!
Day number fifteen - that means the test period is halfway over!
And I have to say, everything is going smoother.
But I'm not in favour of repeating what I already wrote earlier, so rather than evualating your past success, you should now look towards the goal.
If you did exactly how I told you to, you'll have told yourself to quit for a month, holding the option to continue after 30 days.
Do you now feel like smoking again?
Maybe you think that 15 days isn't much yet, but write it down and compare to what you say in 5 or 10 days.
To embiggen yourself is an important part, but facing challenges is one, too.
Because remember: the deadliest weapon a challenge has is surprise. Never let it hit you suddenly.
Try to already anticipate your thoughts in 15 days.
Day number fifteen - that means the test period is halfway over!
And I have to say, everything is going smoother.
But I'm not in favour of repeating what I already wrote earlier, so rather than evualating your past success, you should now look towards the goal.
If you did exactly how I told you to, you'll have told yourself to quit for a month, holding the option to continue after 30 days.
Do you now feel like smoking again?
Maybe you think that 15 days isn't much yet, but write it down and compare to what you say in 5 or 10 days.
To embiggen yourself is an important part, but facing challenges is one, too.
Because remember: the deadliest weapon a challenge has is surprise. Never let it hit you suddenly.
Try to already anticipate your thoughts in 15 days.
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