Time flies...

But not really. Time is slow. Time is actualy a constant I think, but still.

Today is an anniversary day, so I figured I should post something to my blog.

As of 7 AM this morning, I have officially been off the cigarettes for 5 months. 5 Months is a long time when you think about it. It's not quite as long as a year, or even half a year, but 5 months goes by very slowly when you are kicking an addiction.

Over the last 5 months I have been tested. Oh boy have I been tested.

Those that have been following the blog know *SOME* of the trials and tribulations I've gone through in this quit, but let me tell you, there are MANY more that were not discussed on this blog.

It's been a strange trip for the last 5 months, but I've come this far. The most common question I get, from non-smokers, ex-smokers and even current smokers. "Do you still get cravings?" To which I can only reply "do you get the craving to breathe?" I had smoked for long enough that it became second nature to me. So do I get cravings. Yes, but I don't really see them as "cravings" anymore. There are "triggers" that set me off.

Let me take recently for an example.

I went to a party with a bunch of friends. Some of whom smoke. Well, last year at this party, I was a smoker too. So I would go outside with them, have a smoke, then come back in to warm up, and have a drink. This year, I had that drink, and then thought, oh, I should pop out for a smoke. I had to tell myself mentally that I don't smoke anymore. But then guess what happened...my inner nicodemon started trying to rationalize the "just one" mentality. I wouldn't let him win. I came close mind you. Once I had about 10 drinks of scotch and a few beers to go with it, I was ready to give in. I survived. I *DID* go outside once, but that was simply to cool down a bit. As soon as someone came out to smoke, I went back inside so I wouldn't be tempted.

Then, as another one, this past weekend I was at a Sens Skills competition. Again, I was there last year. I think this may have been my first time at the arena as a non-smoker. Anyway, going into the arena, I had to tell Pattie that she may want to have her smoke now as I'm not sure if the smoking deck is open during the skills (there is no intermission). It was a reaction for me. Remembering that you must smoke beforehand. Was I tempted to have a smoke? Not as much as the party, but yes, it was there in the back of my mind.

All this is to say that I have started to become stronger than the cravings. I just have to keep my guard up a bit, and be sure not to let it get the better of me.

I will survive, I will not smoke. It is not an option. Right?

Cheers!

I have been quit for 5 Months, 2 hours and 24 minutes. I have s not smoked 3,062 cigarettes. I Quit: 9/9/2009 7:00 AM.