Author: Christine Elias

Yesterday I had a session with a hypnotist. I know it sounds a bit new age-y but I had a feeling this might work to help me quit smoking. Willpower wasn’t doing it for me — nothing really was dong it for me. The thing is I really want to quit smoking but I really like smoking, too.

What I don’t like is the fact that it will probably kill me.

So I was hypnotized. I really was — I could not lift my arms or open my eyes for a good part of the session. I was awake but in a weird place.

After my session I felt very strange and (surprisingly) I didn’t feel like smoking. I stepped outside and instead of lighting up I threw my pack away. I then went to get some herbal tea (yeah, that’s part of it).

The rest of the day I had no urge to smoke. In fact, when I saw smokers on the street I felt sorry for them.

By about 10:30 pm I was craving a cigarette — it was probably physical — but I ignored it.

This morning I really wanted to smoke. I figured this hypnosis business didn’t work. So I figured what the hell and I bought some cigarettes. I felt stupid but also relieved.

I had one right then and it was like I scratched an itch. It was over. I failed.

But no. Or at last maybe not.

About 10 am I wanted another one so I went outside. This time I was thinking about the hypnosis and what I learned.

I lit up and then I could not bend my arm towards me to inhale the thing. It was bizarre. I threw the thing down and stomped on it.

This happened again at 4:15 pm. I lit the cigarette and I could not bring myself to smoke it.

It’s now almost 10 pm and I kinda want a cigarette. Well I do and I don’t but I am not smoking. Not today.

I don’t plan to do it tomorrow either.

But something tells me if I try I will end up sticking the thing in my ear.

I don’t write about my job very often. That’s not because I hate it and try to drive the workday from my mind once I get back to my recliner.

I don’t for professional reasons mostly, I am not anonymous here and I won’t type anything I would not say out loud on the streetcar.

But let me tell you. Today was an interesting day at work.

Our offices are being renovated and we’ve been moved into a carpeted room in the basement. It’s about the size of large classroom.

We being ten of us. It’s a bit like the set of Mary Tyler Moore except our desks line the outside walls and we have filing cabinets in the middle.

I spent the better part pf last week being chipper about the whole thing. Our office went through this several years ago and it really was fine. Only three of us remain from those days and I think we were prepared for it since we knew what it would be like.

It really isn’t that bad. Sure, it’s different not having privacy but I don’t take off all my clothes in my office and dance around to the sound of my scanner anyway. I just sit there and work.

In my new space, I created a little nest for myself. I hung up my bulletin board and positioned all my desk supplies within easy reach.

Twelve weeks will fly by and then the Christmas break will start and then after our rest we’ll move into the new digs.

In the meantime, I will make every effort not to pick my nose. I have already tried to stop talking to myself as I type.