Day 3 - The Office

So day three cigarette-free came and went. Being at work with the pressure and the desperate desire to step away for a moment was difficult but not nearly as difficult as I imagined. I have a new motto now. “Keep the ritual. Ditch the habit.”

When I really wanted to step away, I did, I just didn't smoke a cigarette. I still went downstairs and outside, sometimes with my smoking co-worker, sometimes on my own. I popped a snus, shot the shit (if the co-worker was present) or occupied my time by pacing around outside or making a personal phone call.


All in all, it was not very difficult and when I went back inside, I still had my pouch of nicotine to comfort me about what I had missed outside for a whole 25 more minutes. Even better, for those moments when I could not conveniently step outside, I could pop a snus at my desk or in a meeting. No longer did I have to wait for a break to get my nicotine.

It wasn't all easy. There were definitely moments when I almost broke and bummed a smoke, but ultimately, my resolve held.

At the office was a big step, but I have a larger step coming with work. I am a conference coordinator and just part of my job is in the office. The other part is on-site running conferences. So, long days, more stress and lots of cigarette smoking.

I have a conference that begins today.