that'd be enough for me to not go back. you could pay monthly payments on a luxury car for that kind of money.
Ive smoked for about 10 years (gd never realized its been that long) but I did quit last year for about 6 months.. I dont think I could do it cold turkey and I didnt take pills are anything.. My sister was doing a study/research in some capacity about smoking and quiting at UTSA and had read about this plan, which worked for me (I smoke a pack a day btw) For the first week you can smoke as many cigs as you want but the minute you light up your first cig, you have to wait one hour to light up the next one (I gave myself a 5 min window) regardless of your triggers (car, beer) The next week it is 2 Hours The next week 3 Hours ect.. You slowly ween yourself off and the mental/oral fixation is lessened. It worked for me in about 4 weeks.. But after not smoking for 6 months I thought I could smoke "just one" now Im back to a pack a day. I know if I quit again I can never smoke again. Maybe this will help someone.
Sure, but I didn't need a luxury car. And actually I don't even want a luxury car. The idea of luxury is kind of gross to me. But I did need cigarettes. And I could afford them. And that was part of the attraction to me actually: the addiction. I didn't resent being addicted; I appreciated it. I appreciated the instant gratification of really needing something and then being able to have it. No price (of money anyway) was going to put a dent in that thing that was so valuable, so critical really, to me as recently as three months ago. Now I realize it was also very much about self-destructive behavior (born of self-loathing) and world-hating behavior and life-hating behavior and just plain resentment, anxiety and frustration. I am presently, for maybe the first time ever, enjoying my time on the planet earth. I'm enjoying the idea of the future, of not hating myself or the world or "God" or whatever. And I'm realizing that all of my rebellious or contrary behavior came from a deep anger that began in childhood and had a hold on me for 42 years. Beginning the process of letting go of that is the best thing that's happened for me (well, apart from finding my wonderful girlfriend) and I'm eager to shed the behaviors I associate with all that.
Don't mean to shut down all your helpful suggestions about how better to spend the money, but I'm rarely available to attend games because of my evening rehearsal/performance schedule. And though I know this is heresy, other than playoff games, I kind of prefer watching them on TV, late at night when I get home. I can skip the breaks and I don't have all the annoying Toyota Center distractions. I freaking hate the timeout/halftime shows. I also like being able to follow the stats more closely, which I often forget to do when watching a game in person. In fact, I often forget who's even winning. Playoffs are different because the vibe in the arena is so exciting, but otherwise I'd rather be on my couch with the food/beverage of my choice (also a major money saver) and be able to pause when I've got to pee (not to mention not having to wait in line to pee in between two other dudes (pee shy). Plus parking. Almost everything about attending a regular season game in person is a drag to me compared to watching at home or in a bar.
i'm not really giving out meaningful suggestions for what to do with the money that you saved, just that it's another huge positive of quitting. obviously not as much as the health benefits, but one i use if i do get an urge to buy a pack (which i have not done since 4/15/11, but have bummed probably a pack or so cumulative).
there is a difference between luxury and ostentation. we all "need" luxury but we don't all need/want to be peacocks. having a family is a luxury that i could not do without, for example. just being able to shoot the **** on this site is a luxury, it's really just a matter of perspective. it's awesome you been able to stay sober and are still searching for ways to improve. i've been off the sauce for 2 months now and boy, my mind is on fire. i feel good but i've learned only one valuable truth thus far: that sobriety does not make all your problems go away anywho, i have so much on my plate that i don't think i could get through it if i was still drinking. and when i say drinking, i mean drinking ass tons. i'm an obsessive and when i drink, i don't fvk around. peace bats, next time we cross paths it'll be a different experience, ha. edit: cigarettes are next on my agenda!!!!
Good luck with all, thegary. I remember from our night of hanging out that you are a hard-core drinker (as I was during all my drinking days). It was very fun but I also look forward to a different experience next time. The idea of drinking (or, worse, being drunk) makes me want to barf anymore. Also, I agree with you wrt luxury. I was responding to the idea of a luxury vehicle, when the fact of a vehicle at all is a luxury by your definition as stated above. Maybe what I meant was more like deluxe-ury.
think about the day when you can say "1 year tobacco free" "5 years" "10 years" I can say the latter and it feels good!
Yes, that will feel good. But the thing that will feel most good is when I no longer crave a cigarette but am rather repulsed by the idea of smoking. This happened almost immediately when I quit drinking. It will take longer with smoking but I expect it's only months away. Then the very tiny bit of weed I still use, then caffeine, then junk food (though vegan, still junk), all along with an ever-increasing exercise regimen. None of it feels like a sacrifice; all of it feels like a gift.
You'll be fighting for truth, justice and the American way before it's all over... and by the way, your post at 1:47 was inspiring. Keep it up.
