Hey all.
Not so much your usual new years give up here - though it is new year and I AM giving up etc but mine (though Ive been saying it for years) has come about because Ive been ill in bed for 5 days with the most horrible throat infection. I had such a sore throat (razors etc), ear infection and a post nasal drip. The post nasal drip was almost as bad as the other stuff as I kept gagging and yesterday (SO sorry for tmi) I coughed up something huge and scary.
I assume it was just phlegm, its long gone now so in my head its probably much worse than I think.
I am a social, drinking smoker. I drink too much (!!!) which is being addressed too. I am in no way physically reliant on either (been in bed since Friday with no problems not having either) and while I plan to give drinking a wide berth, smoking is definitely the more worrying one for me at the mo.
I am 35, been smoking since 16 - bar 3 pregnancies - and I have had enough. I smoke on average 10 during the week and 20 over the weekend.
I know some people do that every day (I have a friend who does, he scares me with his coughs but wont consider giving up) but its too much for me now.
Its January, its a pretty quiet month but on Saturday I have a HUGE family party to go to - providing Im well but given this is the first day since Saturday I am upright and with it at this time of day, I think Ill be ok.
I need to prepare myself for the party. I am off work today so have armed myself with Allen Carr's book that has been gathering dust in my room for years.
I do not intend to attend that party as a smoker. I do not intend to ever smoke again. So I need some advice as to how to get my head in the right place? Ive had such a scare with this illness and I just want to be free of the bloody fags now. Enough. Loads of people I know have given up but I do have a boyfriend who smokes and a 17 year old daughter who smokes and thinks its very cool. I dont think either of them will bother me, I wouldnt smoke infront of my daughter anyway and well bf can do what he likes. He isnt really interested in giving up now and I appreciate that.
My main social circle used to consist of nearly all smokers and thinking about it if I give up it will be down to 2/8 so that is a big incentive too. If they can all do it, why cant I?
Sorry for rambling, really needed to get that down.
Ive never tried to give up before and Im scared. But all I have to think of is that coughing yesterday I guess...... That was more scary than anything.