Up until recently, this has not been too hard. I think the initial resolve to quit smoking is beginning to fade. I really don't feel as though I have to rush right out and have a cigarette right now but the effects of Nicotine with drawl are becoming more noticeable.
One of the side effects can be restlessness. I find that when I sit at my desk at work, I feel like I need to tap my toe on the floor or shake my leg or even just sit and click the top of my pen a lot. It helps to try to work on projects that require some typing or may be even standing or walking around. Believe it or not, drawing even helps some. I am certainly no Picasso but it helps to pre-occupy my hands.
Another thing that I have noticed of late is that I am having a tough time falling asleep at night and end up tossing and turning for as much as 3 hours before finally falling asleep. Of course, I have not been the most pleasant person in the morning during my waking hours.
I have noticed a few positive things that I feel are worth sharing. One of the biggest hurdles for me, I thought, would be situations involving alcohol. This time of year is prime for holiday parties and toasts and the like. So far I have played poker twice and drank beer, gone to two office parties and drank Gin, and my wife and I went to dinner last night and I drank wine. I have not even had the urge to smoke during any of those situations. I would have thought that playing cards would have been the toughest because nearly every one else there was a smoker and smoked right at the table where we were playing. I was very pleased with myself.
I will end this post with another positive note. After doing some quick calculations, so far this month alone I have saved $81.51 give or take a few dollars. I smoked Marlboro Lights and where I usually bought them, they were $4.29 a pack. I smoked a pack a day.
Hopefully some one is reading this and it is inspiring them to do as I am doing. You can do it if you put your mind to it and believe you can. Henry Ford once said, "Whether you think you can or, you think you can't, you're right." I think I can and I think you can too! Good luck and happy holidays!