Medicinal Smoking - theory or reality

Today has been a phenomenal day, but I've had a LOT going on. First, I didn't wake up to work out this morning because when my alarm went off my head was POUNDING. I'm not sure what is behind that, but it was bad enough that I just gave in and went back to bed.

Aaron Misconception #1 - When I quit smoking I won't get sick so much.

Truth - I've been sick more since I quit than I was when I was a smoker. And this, in particular, doesn't make any sense. I'm still having sinus issues (including all day today).

Aaron Misconception #2 - Maybe if I have a cigarette, I'll feel better.

Truth - If I smoke eventually I'll just get more and more sick, and eventually things will get worse and worse.

Now I'm watching 30 Rock and hoping that my headache will go away before Jen and Forrest get home from their shopping trips.

So - made it through another day without a cigarette. I actually was able to use my quitting experience as an example for some people today. We were discussing how to break tasks down for people, especially when dealing with addiction.

So, I talked about how when I was first starting my journey to quit I didn't think there was any way that I would be able to make it to 60 or 70 days. It was one of those impossible ideas... but I was able to break it down into smaller chunks that were more manageable. I decided that each time that I would start to 'jones for a smoke I would just make myself wait for 10-15 minutes, and as it turned out, by the time it would roll around I wouldn't be thinking about it anymore.

One thing that I've realized as I've been working on this blog and trying to be introspective about my life and my addiction is that I spend a lot of time in my own head. I don't know how else to work through things (that are conflict-based... I grew up in a "loud" home where we would speak our minds). So, when I get into something that has some angle or facet that I don't understand - like trying to quit doing something that I don't really think I'm addicted to - I have to really look at it from all sides and figure it out before I feel comfortable with where I am.

You might have noticed this. ;)