Dreaming of you
As I mentioned yesterday, I’ve stopped smoking. You can’t imagine how hard this is in a country like Timor where everyone smokes. I’ve taken to chewing toothpicks after seeing such a tactic work for a buddy of mine whom I used to work with. I’m now four days into this and the dreams about smoking have started. I’ve also started having dreams about talking to people about quitting.
This may sound weird, but I kind of enjoy an experience such as this because it’s interesting to see how something like addiction affects me. Physically I’m fine and I haven’t noticed much difference. After a little while I expect my throat and lungs to feel healthier, but most of what’s going on is psychological.
I got back into the habit of smoking when I was bored, nervous, worried and so on. The reason I decided to stop now is because I hate waking up feeling ill. I also hate having a sore throat and tight lungs.
The biggest test will come when I visit my Timorese friends. They all smoke. For me, smoking in Timor became kind of an ice-breaker. It’s an easy way to connect with people by finding something in common. It’s a social thing.
If I lived in England, I wouldn’t smoke because it’s so expensive, but here, where cigarette cost $1 a pack, the cost doesn’t come into it.
February 19th, 2009 at 3:49 pm
Be strong, Matt! Definitely keep your hand…and mouth…busy. A colleague in the office just quit. But then again, we were supportive of her quitting.
You can do it!!
February 19th, 2009 at 11:12 pm
Don't even try a "puff" and slam your head against a wall if you have too … walk through the second hand smoke BUT don't even take another "puff"!!! I've chewed my share of toothpicks and ended with splinter of wood in my mouth and throat. I started by not smoking at my desk, in my car, in my home, and each time would "light up" under the out of doors if I needed a smoke … yeah, even pulled on the shoulder of a road to light up. After 20+ years I've not taken a puff … BUT I still have the urge to smoke and won't ever let that one puff kill me. GOOD LUCK.
February 20th, 2009 at 9:51 am
quiting is not eazy ! That's why Matty should do. Test yourself how strong you are. I'm waving the flag to cheer on you ;-)
February 21st, 2009 at 4:49 am
i had broncaitus my last trip here in thailand. my clinic doc kept telling me i had to stop smoking. for some reason, when he said CPOD, it sunk in. haven't smoked in nearly a y ear, but i still want to. oh well. but my lungs don't hurt, and i don't feel shitty. chewing toothpicks is not good, as you swallowing little slivers of wood in the process which can be abrasive to your innards. rock on.