Patterns, cycles and trances...

Part of trying to stop smoking is noticing patterns, cycles and trances. The first public service commercials on stopping smoking that actually made me really consider quitting were the ones that explored the theme: 'if you can learn to drive a car (have coffee, etc.) without smoking, you can learn to do anything without smoking'. They were funny! and hopeful!

I started by noticing my smoking patterns. When did I smoke? While walking, while waiting for the bus, when I needed a break, while talking on the phone, while reading, when nervous, when excited, when hungry, and so on.

Then started to break the trance. Instead of continuing the action (of smoking) as an almost unconscious habit, I tried to smoke consciously. I picked one action at a time to learn to do without smoking. First, walking to the bus stop. Ok, trance broken - can walk without smoking. Actually like to walk, enjoy just walking. Can even walk the dog without smoking. Second, waiting for the bus. Ok, trance broken. Can wait for a bus without smoking. Don't enjoy it so much, but can do it. Third, driving a car. Done, can drive a car without smoking. This has cut my smoking about in half.

Now it's getting harder. Not smoking after a meal is much harder. Not smoking in the morning before leaving for work, or at the end of the day before going to bed is much harder. Those are my patterns. And then there are those even harder times. when I'm nervous, anxious or otherwise emotional. When I'm feeling excited. At these times, I seem to smoke to hold things in, to keep it together. Lastly, there is smoking at the end of a cycle. Sort of to put a period to it.

To up my game on stopping smoking, I have to pick one of those hard times and learn it anew.

Wish me luck!