Happy Healthy New Year to All!
Hi to all old and new cogquitters and a very Happy New Year! This is
going to be the best year ever for me as a non-smoker! I want to
share with all of you a fear that had somewhat hindered my social
life. That was being with my very best friend who is my ONLY smoking
friend…I have been like sisters with this woman since age 15 and
had been avoiding her to date cause I am still pretty new (2 months+)
in my quit. I just did not want to deal with the smoke thing. Well, I
saw her this Sunday and had a fantastic time!!! Not only did she
smoke with her hand outside the door - but did not smoke in her truck
when we went yardsaling - I told her it did not bother me and I
really meant it - I needed to test the waters…..but she would not.
I felt so good about her respect for my quit. She is so proud of me
and showed it. I never hinted in the least that I wished she would
quit - cause she knows deep down that she should. But not only did I
not focus on the cigs like I thought I would, but the smell really
did not bother me at all - I was so glad to be with my best friend
that the cigs were never an issue or a temptation at all!! I can only
attribute this to the cognitive homework I have done since my quit.
It really paid off more than I ever thought on Sunday. Now I know I
truly am “COGNITIVLY” quit….there was never a hang-on moment at all
on Sunday…And when I left her house, I did not even think about the
smoke thing that took place at all - I guess thought I would fall
apart and really forget all my training I got here, but I did not!!
AND it was so easy because I am NO LONGER A SMOKER and this is the
formost thought I live by now….It was just like ol’ times only I
was a non-smoker this time and I realize now that true friendship is
so much deeper than any material thing, item or habit….we were
still the same!!! I still feel the same about her as I have always. I
don’t look at her as A SMOKER and feel somehow different in our
friendship. I really was afraid that would happen, and I would not
feel the same about her or our friendship and had avoided her because
of that. I am so glad that it turned out for the best and now I feel
I can face any situation cause I have the tools now to deal! Thanks
to the cogquit method this really is going to be a HEALTHY and HAPPY
New Year!!!!
Take Care,
Lauren