Time for a Vape Break

[sherid]

I am eagerly awaiting my first e-cig. (a pink Sidesho from Modern Vapor )

I am a heavy smoker, practically a chain smoker. For 20 years it seems like my life has revolved around cigarettes.

Nicotine addiction is part of it, but not the biggest part by far, or else I would have been able to quit by using patches or gum or something.

A big part is the tactile gratification of smoking, the hand to mouth, or just having something in my hand. I cut down on cigarettes when I learned to knit. I always have either a cigarette or knitting needles in my hands, unless I am actively working on something else or sleeping. I almost quit using the Nicoltrol inhaler, but it lacked the fire and the pretty billows of smoke. The e-cig should take care of all that with the LED and the clouds of vapor.

I also have a bit of a smoking fetish, but that is a discussion for another 18 and over forum. LOL I guess I never outgrew thinking of smoking as cool and sexy, which is what caused me to start in the first place. I remember practicing "french inhaling" in front of the mirror with my girlfriends back in junior high. And we all know that the "bad boys" -smokers of course - were the cute ones. With so many choices as to styles of e-cigs and liquid flavors, I think the cool part is covered. And I have seen "sexy" used as an adjective many times on this forum.

I smoke when I am finished with something or get to a stopping or break point in whatever I am doing. A neurologist once told me that the nicotine molecule fits into the neurorecptor that signals completion. That is probably why people smoke after a meal, when they finish a project or after sex. Having a smoke signifies "doneness."

I use a cigarette to mark time. (I have heard of this invention called a clock, but......) My dumpling recipe is: add dumplings to stew, cook without the lid for one cigarette, cover and cook for another cigarette. When waiting for a ride, I have been known to say "I was waiting for three whole cigarettes!" My favorite authour tends to write in chapters that are about two cigarettes long.

Then there is the "smoke break" From the time I light the cigarette until the time I snuff it out, time and the world stops. (I have yet to get my family to understand this concept, though) While it burns there is a period of time where I sit and do nothing. When it burns down to the filter, I know that it is time to go back to work (or light another one for a longer break)

Smoking a cigarettes takes a pre-measured amount of time, say seven to ten minutes, give or take. In high school, my algebra teacher asked me why I took so long in the girl's room. I told her it was because I smoked 120s.

So I wonder - how long is a "vape break"? I have read that a cartridge lasts as long as several cigarettes. Does that mean that I will be sitting there vaping for half an hour? I wouldn't count on me putting the thing down while there was still vape left in it. Or buying a watch or looking at a clock, for that matter. So how do you know when you are done having a vape?

I am just sharing my mental meanderings on the subject, but I am interested in your comments and suggestions, and even a good conversation on the subject. Maybe I should have put this in the "Quitting" thread. But I am thinking of this as "switching" from analogs to e-cigs, as opposed to quitting. It makes it less scary that way.

Be well,
~A

Angelique, you did a marvelous job of analyzing how and why people smoke. I identified with everything you said. The good news is that you will find the e cig is the perfect tool to still do all that you said and more...mainly because you don't have to put it down.

[Dredbull]

When I can I have found myself chain vaping, would have to agree with a lower nic or no nic juice for that.

If it gets bad at work I am able to jump in back and ninja vape. Everyone at work thinks I am somehow baking buttery sugar cookies in the back room.

[thewomenfolk]

Using smoking as a timing device....I can't believe you that whole concept so well into words. I did the same thing. I remember sitting outside on the porch perfectly enjoying my 10 minute break, wondering how in the world non-smokers could enjoy a break, or why they even needed one! I truly believed during those 10 minutes that my joy in doing nothing was perfectly justified, but wouldn't be if I weren't smoking! So whether I took just a 1 cig break (10 min), or extended it to 2 (20 min), all was fine as long as I was smoking. Just sitting there wouldn't have been. Strange indeed.

I was fortunate, I didn't have to mail order my PV. It was 1.5 hours away from it and enjoyed every mile of the trip through the mountains. I knew when I hit Frisco, I was just one cigarette (10 mi) away from my first 510. So I lit up and tried hard to enjoy what I didn't know would be my LAST cigarette ever!

Vaping is truly somewhat of an adjustment as far as the timing issue goes, because generally there are no barriers or obstacles we must overcome before we can enjoy it. I know I don't have to go out to the porch to have a vape, but I often do anyway, simply because I associate it with breaktime.

Thanks for your very interesting post, which I'll bet all of us vapers can identify with, but probably never really expressed out loud.

[ShinKun]

Yes, the timing does change. I went from getting out bed, starting the coffee, pouring a cup then straight outside for me first cup and smoke. Now, even though I can vape inside, I am finding that I vape after my 2nd or 3rd cup.

I also went from 10 analogs/day to about 5-7 vape sessions and I don't necessarily have to vape after meals, or say stepping out of a bar. Whereas with analogs one was in my hand on the way out.

I am a little over 2 weeks into it now but about a week ago I met my smoking neighbor in the courtyard for a "smoke." She smoked about 10 a day like me but was having a stressful moment and smoked 3 analogs in about 1/2 an hour. I would have been right there with her with analog for analog but instead I had my 510 and had no interest in an analog.

[angelique510]

Thanks for all the wonderful replies Yes, ECF will be a great support system.

"I truly believed during those 10 minutes that my joy in doing nothing was perfectly justified, but wouldn't be if I weren't smoking!"

That is so true. There is the whole "I am doing something - I'm smoking!"

Also, outside smoking is where a lot of the socializing happens at work or at school. Complaining about the weather or the price of smokes nowadays is a perfectly justifiable reason to start a conversation with a total stranger.

Hmmm..... Timing idea - what about a cute little "hour-glass" egg timer? Intently watching the sand drop down to the bottom just adds another level to the ritual/ OCD-ness of the experience.

Did I say OCD? Yes, yes I did. I think it's a safe bet that we all have a touch of OCD.

I'm off to eBay now

~A

[Luv2CUSmile]

I am aso new to vaping- (Just received my Dragon yesterday) I also ordered a Sidesho- My husband and I are both going to vaping-
I have already found-
- I am thinking about how my thought process will change

-I am thinking if I am still going to need about 3 cigs in the AM w/ my coffee

-I am thinking should I vape for 7 min like the time it takes me to smoke a 100 cig?

You put so much out there that is so true- I never smoked in school so I can't attest to the cool factor- I started smoking mainly because I was always at the club and eventually trying to get away from cig smoke by staying on the dance floor just wasn't working- I picked up a cig froma friend and hit it a few times- then as I started being able to handle smoke, it turned to a habit, then it was more than the club, then it was on the way home, on the way to bed, as I was sitting still watching TV, anytime I had alcohol, etc
Now, as many habits and lifestyles have changed for me, smoking hadn't- but I have tried many other ways to quit and no luck! I always miss the hand to mouth, the mechanics... So, this seems the way for us-
Since I am very new as well- I can't say how I will know to put it down- this first day it has just been a novelty so to speak- I am still a bit tentative- I haven't gotten my other flavors and strengths yet so I am waiting on that- & My Sidesho should be here Monday or Tuesday- It was sent out yesterday- We got the Dragon yesterday- I do like it- Haven't seen a problem yet- I am trying to use it enough to see if anything is abnormal but seems to be a good piece- Good Luck in your quest- This forum has been great! Stick around awhile- let us know how you're doing
Oh! I am keeping a journal- I just want to keep track of habits and use, etc so I can determine how I am decreasing and the use factor...
Figured it would help if I ever write a book- LOL j/k (maybe)

[Dredbull]

When waiting for my starter kit I found I was passing the time by counting the packs of butts. Now I just vape to just chill and relax. EXCEPT I just lost a battery and freaked out, no I was in full blown panic attack since I thought it was my pass through not working... was a clogged gooey atty.

Now I am just huffing and chilling.