Wake Up and Breathe: Stop Smoking, Part Three

What prompted me to quit smoking in 2001 was that I became a Wellness Consultant. Now, how could I effectively consult with others about wellness while I was a cigarette smoker? It was just too hypocritical! Caring about others and sharing information is integral to the woman I am. It's my hope that at least one smoker reading this will stamp out that butt once and for all! YOU have to want to do it. How have I remained a non-smoker? It's simple. I will not put a cigarette between my lips and this way I remain a non-smoker. It's a choice.

Besides the motivation to quit smoking provided by being a Wellness Consultant at the time, I chose a positive mindset to accomplish my goal.
• I viewed quitting smoking as something I was gaining versus something I was giving up. (What a difference perspective can make!)
• I no longer worried about those wicked little burn holes ruining a favorite shirt
• No more scrubbing clean the nasty amber grime of nicotine from my car's interior windows
• No sweat about an airplane delay keeping me minutes from my next smoke
• No missing part of a movie because I had to step outside the theater for a cigarette
• Don't need to reach for a pack before I answer a ringing phone
• No more aggravation over now familiar NO SMOKING signs in most public places

It's amazing how much time a non-smoker gains once they've given up the drama of a smoking life. There is no more of that familiar "I'm just going to have a cigarette before I.." vacuum the carpet, feed the dogs, take out the garbage, play with the cat, clean the dishes, mow the lawn, shampoo the baby, pull weeds, pull out your hair, etc.

There are lots of different methods to quitting. A lover of words and desktop publishing, I created a bunch of the signs made from circles with a cigarette in the center and a diagonal line through it, then blatantly stole Nike's slogan "Just Do It" which I printed beneath the graphic. I made a multitude of signs like this & placed them in my car's glove box, on the visor, in my medicine cabinet, in drawers at home and at work, on closet doors - you get the picture. I wanted, no I needed these reminders that my goal was a worthy one. It worked.

I had the pleasure of judging an eBook contest a couple of months ago and read an excellent book on the subject by Jennifer Clare: Stub Out the Habit. (No I'm not earning affiliate commission on it.) You may just find it helpful.

Recently, I picked up a pricey prescription for an oral inhaler and noticed a perplexed look on the pretty young pharmacist's face. I ruefully commented that because I wanted to be really cool when I was about 14 years old, I now get to pay over $58 for a prescription like this. Wow. Not. So. Cool.

Be smarter than I was: wake up and breathe.

In addition to health and wellness interests, Terry Lynne Hale runs a freelance writing and desktop publishing business, care2shareNOW. Her passion for the Internet fueled the writing of her first book, Ageless Internet - Internet Basics for Boomers and Seniors. Please visit AgelessInternet.com for more information. Providing quality quit smoking writings, articles and reviews online.