My New Year's Resolution: Five Things I'll Do to Quit Smoking

I can count on one hand the times I have actually kept a New Year's resolution throughout my 23 years. I was able to quit cussing ( for that year at least), lose 15 pounds and keep it off, and I was able to become a more compassionate, giving person. This new year, I am going to attempt to quit smoking. I have tried to quit smoking nearly every month this past year. Not a single thing I tried worked. My husband says that I don't have the will power, but that I do have a very addictive personality.

I've tried gum, candy, the patch, quiting cold turkey, looking at disgusting pictures of lung cancer on line, and nothing worked. So, seeing as how I have tried everything, how am I going to quit smoking? Good question. I am asking my self the same thing. Here's my strategy for success.

First, I am going to throw away every lighter, empty cigarette box, and ashtray that is around the house. I figure if there isn't the propaganda promoting the culprit, I wont want to smoke as badly.

Secondly, I am giving my car keys to my husband. If I feel the sudden urge for, say, a chocolate bar, I know that I will end up buying cigarettes on my outing to the store. No mode of transportation means no cigarettes.

Third, My husband is planning on quitting with me. We are going to be each others support system. If I start whining about wanting a cigarette, my husband will talk me out of it, and vice versa. If I beg, he has the strength to tell me no, and I appreciate that more than anything right now, but in a few weeks, I am going to want to smack him for it.

Fourth, I will look at my two young children, realize that I want to be around for my grandchildren and that I want to see my babies get married and have wonderful lives of their own. If I continue to smoke, that probably wont happen. Women in my family have a high risk for getting cancer. My grandma passed away from ovarian cancer, my other grandma has cervical cancer, and my great aunt has melanoma. I defiantly don't want cancer.

Fifth, I will quit to prove to my husband that I can do it, that I am stronger than he says I am. I know I can do it. No matter how stressed out I get from the kids screaming and crying, or how dirty the house gets because my son decided to throw q-tips all over the front room, I can make it. I just have to keep myself busy and know that I can do it.