Lessons Learned

This is probably the consultant in me, but I can't help but keep a list of "Lessons Learned" from this quitting smoking.  I hope that I NEVER have to go through this again, but if I do, I would do things differently.  Maybe this will help those out there thinking of quitting:

1. Quit during the warmer months. There have been so many times when I've wanted to take long walks outside to clear my head. But I loose that motivation when it's 20 degrees outside.
2. Try not to start dating someone new during the first couple of weeks. I just met someone and I'm pretty sure he thinks I'm a lunatic. I've been a bit moody, very edgy, then nice. Yes, I'm sure he thinks I'm nuts.
3. Write out a list of all the reasons you want to quit and make sure you keep it with you at all times.  I read this tip and wrote some things down, but wrote more of them after my first day.  The thing about the list...it helps so much during your first week, but when you're going through your first couple weeks of withdrawal the only thing you can think of is survival.  You're not thinking of the reasons you quit, you're thinking about how you're going to make it thru the next hour.  If you're smoking now and are going to quit, write down an extensive list as to why.
4. Make sure you have the following for the first 2 weeks:

• Lots and lots of gum, all different kinds of flavors
• Movies
• Video games
• Tissues (for drying those endless tears)
• Carrots
• Grapes
• Clementine's
• Hot Tea
• Straws or Toothpicks

These are my lessons learned, so far.  I really really really never want to go through this again.  I am beginning to love the way my skin feels and breathing feels.  I am now just working on the emotional/mental part of this process.

I think my last and most important lesson...make sure you never take a puff again.  That's how you quit and how you make sure never to go through this again, you just don't smoke.