This may be lengthy.
Two weeks ago I got the flu. This isn't anything special, it's been a rather rough year for it. It was the normal achy, cough, fever, runny nose run of the mill illness that has plagued a large portion of the population. Usually, being a bit of a hard-headed fool, I just push through it and go about my daily routines.
These routines involved opening a can of Monster Energy drink (for about 10 years now) and downing it along with 1 or 2 more throughout the day. I'd smoke a couple cigarettes, then sit at the computer and read up on current news, before getting ready for the day (with another smoke or two, before my shower.) From here, it's a similar day to everyone else. Well, except for my pack a day or more habit that has made it hard for me to walk up stairs or down the street without wheezing, and sweating profusely from all the nasty Monsters and Soda I'd drink throughout the day.
So, I had said that the Flu was run of the mill, right? Turns out it wasn't. I was so sick that my wife had to go and get me some medicine while I laid on the couch with an extreme fever, the aches made it hurt to stand for more than a couple minutes.. It was bad, I had never been this sick before. The medicine she got me knocked me out. I would wake up long enough to drink some Gatorade, water, use the bathroom, take some more medicine, and go back to sleep. Occasional bowl of soup in there somewhere. This went on for 4 days. 4 FULL DAYS I slept, recovering from this illness. When I finally felt better, I felt amazing.
This is the interesting part, at least to me. I finally got off the couch in the den, and moved over to my desk. By instinct, I reached for the mini fridge, to see only waters and a lone Gatorade. No Monsters, no soda. I shrugged, grabbed a water and drank it. Afterwards, I instinctively reached for the drawer I kept my cigarettes in, only to remember I had smoked my last one before I laid down the night before the Flu fully set in. I had intended to buy more the next morning, as I hadn't felt like going out. I shrugged once more, I didn't actually feel like smoking.
Wait, I don't feel like smoking?
After 20 years, 20 LONG years, I had experienced the lack of a craving. I sat back in my chair, mulling it over in my head. Did I just sleep through the withdrawals? I had tried to quit the drinks before, only to back out because of the violent headaches. The cravings for smoke always foiled my plans for quitting. No headaches. I felt the urge to smoke, but something was different. I picked up a pen and twirled it in my fingers for a minute and the craving went away.
It's been 2 weeks, I haven't had any caffeine or tobacco products. I have been around other smokers, with no cravings. After 20 years, I defeated that horrendous addiction, and also my addiction to caffeine after 10 years. Just the other day I was able to walk up the 2 flights of stairs without breathing heavily. I don't sweat NEARLY as bad as I did.
Now, I wanted to share my motivation. For the first time, I honestly believe I can start my lifelong dream of seeing wilderness, hiking, backpacking, and exploring, because these shackles have been released. I am no longer bound to a toxic lifestyle, in the last two weeks I have been running for the first time in years. I am looking to buy a new car for the new me (to get rid of the ashtray I've been driving around.) This has changed my mentality, and I see life differently, how much there is to have. If you are struggling to quit smoking or other bad things, I'm here to tell you that it is a different light on this side of the fence.
TL;DR - Got the flu, wife knocked me out for 4 days with meds. When I woke up, I had lost cravings for tobacco and caffeine. I now see a beautiful world around me, and feel unrestricted. Getting healthy for the first time and changing my whole life, thanks to the flu.
Edit: Added clarification.
Submitted March 02, 2018 at 12:17AM by Sevilder http://ift.tt/2GR41R2
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