Hi Patty,

I was remembering when you mentioned the physical action of smoking... I was at a loss as to what to do with my hands! My co-workers and I would go outside our building for our 2 breaks and also at lunch. I always smoked.. suddenly my arms were just dangling there,.."useless"!! lol. So I began standing with my arms crossed, my (clean, smoke-free, lotioned) hands tucked under my upper arms. Or I would take a bottle of water with me.

At home I took up needlework again as well as crocheting.

I carried a book with me for any time I was somewhere and had 10 or 15 minutes to wait, times I would normally have a (stinky old) cigarette. Instead, I would read my paperback.

It is the one thing about smoking... no other activity really takes it's place so it's not as if you can trade one thing for another (like trading beer for coffee or something like that).

I found it hard when I did my weekly cleaning too, because I would take a break to have a (stinky old) cigarette. Without the (stinky old) habit, it was as if I didn't know when or how to take a break. Silly but true.

Cheering for all who are becoming non-smokers!