Leslie's posts Leslie on 07 Jan 2007 07:02 am
Thinking About Not Smoking - Day 7
The difference between conscious acts and habituated behaviour is particular to me as a smoker. My smoking pattern has changed over the years - there are so many places not where I simply do not smoke anymore:
1. In my office
2. In my house (except when I have received a special dispensation to accomodate an extreme situation like, say, the death of a family member)
3. In most public indoor spaces
4. Inside hotels
5. Most of Manhattan.
Yesterday I cleaned out my car, to make it yet another place where I do not smoke. I commute 1+ hours each way to work, so that’s a big chunk of time. Not smoking in the car will be a huge step for me, since I had my first cigarette the first time I was behind the wheel of a car by myself when I was 16 years old. That would be almost 4 decades ago!
So accomplishing that milestone next will get me closer to my goal of not smoking.
Simultaneously, I’m putting Kerch’s house on the list of “places where I do not smoke”.
There’s a new television campaign about not smoking that’s tied to some prescription aid: www.mytimetoquit.com If you are struggling with the nicotine-fiend inside you, it might be useful to you. Especially if the gum and the patches haven’t worked.
But I don’t think it’s about drugs for me. Rather it’s about new patterns of conscious behaviour that need to become habits. For you, too?
Whether it’s smoking or eating or drinking endless cups of coffee, is it really necessary that we always have something in our mouths?
on 15 Jan 2007 at 6:48 am 1.Leslie said …
Day 15:
I am successful in not smoking in Kerch’s house. I am 50% successful at not smoking in my car.
on 04 Feb 2007 at 3:59 pm 2.Leslie said …
Day 35
I am still successful at not smoking in Kerch’s house. That - however - would be the extent of my success on that front.
on 14 Feb 2007 at 2:37 pm 3.Leslie said …
Day 45 -
I am failing miserably at this particular thing. Miserably.