Today is 23 days since I smoked my last cigarette. I have had great support and lots of cheer-leaders rooting me on. I feel strange when I tell people that it has been much easier than I ever expected; and I quit cold-turkey.
My daughter and son-in-law gave birth to my first grandchild in January, a boy, named Soren Everrett...and I am completely head over heels in love with this little person. I haven't even met him yet and just thinking of him fills my whole body with a sense of love. All during my daughter's pregnancy, she continually told me that if I continued to smoke, I would not be able to have a relationship with my grandchild. At first I was extremely offended by this; but, once I considered her not as my daughter, but as a mother-to-be, I understood. She is protecting her son, she is setting healthy boundaries, she is mothering and adulting. I am proud of her.
That's a great inspiring story to quit a nasty addiction, but what does it have to do with crafts?? I'm getting there.
You all know that right now I am into loom knitting, and loom knitting has become one of my coping mechanisms, one of my saving graces in getting through the cravings and irritability.
I took my large yellow, 41 peg round loom that I only use for a couple of regular projects and started a blanket on it. I have kept it out in the open and on one of my side tables, in view. When those difficult feelings start to surface, I grab hold of that loom and yarn and I start loom knitting. Sometimes I put it down when the feelings pass, sometimes I forget and keep going. Either way, I get through the moment, I pat myself on the back, and put a grin of satisfaction on my face.
Crafting, such as knitting, crocheting, and needlepoint, is known to have a meditative effect on people. I believe this is how it's working for me. My hands are busy, so the muscle memory of hand to mouth is being replaced slowly. My mind is focused on the stitches, so I am not obsessing about the cigarette I want to light. Studies have shown that yarn crafting and needle crafting have wonderful benefits for people. These crafts, actually all crafts, decrease stress, anxiety, depression, addiction; and increase self confidence, self esteem, social interactions.
I live with Borderline Personality Disorder, which is a horrible disease that affects the mind and perceptions of reality and the inability to self-regulate emotions. Loom knitting has been a huge help this winter in not only keeping my mind busy, but in helping me through the emotional moments that I have had trouble radically accepting as part of my life. It has helped me when I felt I was being abandoned by those I love, it helped me get through my father's death without hurting myself physically. I have received lots of compliments for my work, I have gained courage to share my completed pieces, I have learned to take criticism without making it personal.
I also, leaned on the Lord. I prayed and we had many conversations. I reached out to my sisters in Christ for support and encouragement. I contribute my success with quitting to the help of God; He always has my back!God is with her, she will not fall.
~Psalm 46:5
This Psalm has become my mantra throughout this journey of getting through this addiction.
If you are currently a smoker, I encourage you to give that up. You won't believe the tastes and smells you are missing out on. Give up the shame of being a smoker among your non-smoker friends; the smell of your clothes and breath. If I could express to you how disgusting it smells once you quit.....Give it a shot; there are tons of resources to help you, and once you get through about 5 days, the feeling of accomplishment is wonderful!
Pick up a loom, say some prayers, and become a non-smoker! You'll thank yourself at about 21 days into the process...I guarantee it!
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