I discovered e-cigs completely by accident one day while looking something up online. I was instantly curious and started doing some research. I ended up here on the forums. I was a lurking sponge. I kept coming back to learn, and learn some more.
On New Year's eve, the band I'm in was booked at two gigs. It was snowing and freezing cold. As usual, I stood outside between sets to power-smoke a couple of cigs. Armed with my new knowledge, I was really hit with my own absurdity. There I stood with fresh snow covering open toed heels, wearing nothing but a little sweater over my dress, bouncing up and down to stay warm while being pelted with sleet as I lit my second cigarette.
If what I'd been reading is true, and vaping has enabled
so many people to quit smoking painlessly,
maybe there was hope for me after all.
A week later I placed my first order and came out of lurkdom while I waited for my purchase to arrive.
I sadly started smoking so young that I never learned how to do "life without cigarettes".
Over the years I'd tried "cold turkey" - that always lasted about 6 anxiety filled hours. Patches? Nope. Gum? Gross. Chantix? That got me 8 months quit until one day, good and pi$$ed-off at something, I pulled into the gas station and within two days was right back where I started. Surgery? A smoke-free week in the hospital and in the car on the way home, (every time!) the first thing I'd do was light a smoke. Asthma? Bronchitis? Being told I had early signs of COPD? Nope, didn't matter, I was a die-hard smoker, period.
A 1.5+ pack a day smoker and the $8.00 a pack it was costing me was more of an issue than actually smoking. If I was in the city and had to buy a pack? Almost $10.00 - and I b$tched about it, but handed the money over every time.
I stopped buying cartons because I couldn't justify it. It makes no sense when I think about it now. I forked-out over $25.00 for 3 packs that would last me a little more than two days. Every other day I was buying the same three packs! For as long as I can remember, if I didn't have at least one unopened pack in the drawer I was anxious and obsessing. Extra packs in the drawer and a pack in the console of my car - that was my comfort-zone.
I didn't think that vaping would be instant success, but I was hopeful it would lead me to quitting. I didn't set a quit date. I didn't have expectations. I'd done enough reading to know that for a lot of people, "it's a process". I would have been thrilled if vaping allowed me to slowly cut down.
When my PV arrived I'd read enough to know what to do. I was really excited as I plugged in the batteries, played around with the PCC, smelled the e-juices and pre-filled cartridges. I was smoking my cigarettes as I got everything set-up to take my first vape.
Wow! I took to it right away. The first draw was a little awkward, but I really liked it! Pushing the button became second nature in about an hour. Soon, I was biting the tip and holding my e-cig between my teeth, it felt soothing.
It shocked me as each day went by and I had no desire to smoke.
I just passed the three week smoke-free mark and I couldn't be happier, or more proud of myself. It was a painless, anxiety-free transition.
There's an opened pack of Newport Light 100's in a ziplock bag in my freezer. Sometimes I wonder how long I'll keep it in there. It kind of amuses me that I know it's there but have no desire to touch it
Vaping mops the floor with smoking. I love vaping much more than I ever thought I loved smoking. I love everything about it - from the "cool gadget" aspect, to discovering new toys and tastes, and even my new ritual of stuffing and filling carts.
Thanks ECF! The "WHY" for me was discovered when I found you guys!
Remie
(who's realized that: The definition of insanity is repeating the same behavior over and over, expecting a different result. )
