Carol's lesson on taking up non-smoking

I was a nurse at the time and one of the nurses offered me a cigarette saying it would 'make me feel better.' Fast forward 30 something years and after endless attempts to stop, I finally did. If you're interested, this is how:

1. I worked out why I smoked... I liked lighting them - it was almost ceremonial.
2. I didn't give up smoking - I took up non-smoking.
3. I'd rub the fingers of my non-dominant hand in the grey crud in the ashtray and when I desperate for a fag, I'd smell my fingers.... believe me that kills the urge
4. I took up a craft that I had always wanted to do with my cigarette money.
5.  I'd tell myself I could have one if I waited 10 minutes. Obviously I didn't do that but it removed any chance of failure.

I found out 'the hard way' stress has NOTHING to do with smoking (when my life went totally pear shaped AFTER I stopped.) I now have no idea when I stopped just that it was 20 something years ago. If you're still reading this, good luck, you'll get there. I nearly forgot, I was lighting 60 of those stinking things a day.

Click here to submit your story.