Smoke your last cigarette with my last smoke – HUH?? I thought that title might bring those thoughts to mind.
Well let me explain.
Or more so let me show you …
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5899965506255152633I remember the filming of that video like it was yesterday.
It was late, after 10pm, we were both completely fed up with smoking that week. The filming had required us to do take after take and it usually involved smoking.
By the time we shot this video, I was just sick of breathing it in and blowing it out.
The previous night Ieremia and I discussed our commitment to quit smoking again, we went over all the scenarios that might cause us to relapse (smoke after quitting) and came up with creative ways to combat these.
We were both convinced that the key to quitting was all in the mind. Sitting here today, I can tell you that 90% of the withdrawal you go through once you become a non smoker is majorly in the brain.
The video you have just watched was our last smoke and has been for almost 2 years.
I still occasionally get the urge to take a puff, those feelings usually coincide with high stress or emotions but I just remind myself that I AM A NON SMOKER and after a while the urge to smoke goes away.
You don’t need that cigarette but because you feel that you can’t smoke that cigarette it has now become precious.
Get your thinking right.
Its not a matter of you not being able to smoke, get that idea out of your head right now!!
Its all about you deciding to become a non smoker. There ain’t nothing wrong with that.
Before you decided to take your first puff you were a non smoker. So you are just returning to that state.
I’ve listed my top 10 alternatives for you to use if you feel the temptation or manic need to have a cigarette:
1. Keep a water bottle or glass of water close by and take sips whenever you feel the need to smoke.
2. After meals do one of your favourite activities so that you start to change your previous routine of having a cigarette after meals. It is important to enjoy the activity you are doing.
3. Lie down, close your eyes and have a quiet moment. This only requires a few minutes to refocus yourself and reconfirm your decision to be a non smoker.
4. Take a walk around the block. Enjoy your surroundings, take the time to notice things that you had not noticed before. Become conscious of every breathe of fresh air that you take.
5. Pat yourself on the back and welcome every compliment and encouragement you receive for becoming a non smoker from others. Quietly think to yourself, “I’m awesome, I am a non smoker!”
6. Go outside, look at the smokers and pity them. Pity each and every smoker that is outside sucking years of their lives away with each puff. Remember to take in the moment and congratulate yourself again on making a life changing decision.
7. Think of the money you are saving. No doubt these funds will get absorbed into something else but sit down and work out how much money you have been throwing away on this addiction.
8. You are a non smoker and you are in control of your life. Celebrate that fact.
9. Workout, exercise, hit the gym.
10. Find your support person and discuss your feelings. Even better, bookmark this page and come back as often as needed to ensure you are completely supported in your journey to quit smoking.
So there you have it, and yes you’ve done it!!
YOU ARE OFFICIALLY A NON SMOKER!!
