I was on a business trip last week, my second travel adventure since quitting. As before, I was amazed how much easier it is to travel without the hassles of smoking. I did, however, encounter my inner junkie at a surprising moment, and was reminded just how sneaky and manipulative that little bastard can be.
I had to change planes in Atlanta. Atlanta is one of the few remaining U.S. airports in which you can smoke, in designated “smoking lounges”, one per terminal. I had an hour between flights, and to my delight, I found that the gate I arrived at was right next to my departure gate. The only thing separating them was the smoking lounge. Now, in my smoking days, this would have been HEAVEN. A full 45 minutes to smoke 3, 4, maybe even 5 cigarettes before lining up to board, with no fear of missing my flight, no walking a long distance with my bags, no constant worry about the time. I could get a soda, set up camp in one of the chairs, get out my book, and smoke away the time between flights.
The fondness with which all of this ran through my head really surprised me, and my brain actually formed the thought “too bad I don’t smoke anymore”. That startled me so much, to be face to face with my junkie after so long, that I laughed out loud (thanks Dale).
So what did I do? After I stopped giggling, which I’m sure absolutely infuriated that lousy junkie, I went to my gate, got a soda, set up camp in one of the chairs, got out my book, and relaxed away the time between flights.
It’s that simple. Thinking a thought doesn’t mean you have to act on the thought. Think it, then shrug or laugh or slap yourself or whatever, and move on.
Have a great smoke-free week everyone!
