I have been smoking cigarettes for over 6 years now or, well up until four months ago when I decided to quit!
First things first, I never liked the smell of cigarettes, and always told my parents that it would never happen, I would never start to smoke.
Well, as you probably already figured out, I started smoking. This happened pretty quick after high school, mostly because all of my friends were smoking, and I had very bad self esteem, so I thought I would fit in better if I had a cigarette every now and then.
At first I didn't smoke that much, maybe a few cigarettes a day, but as time goes, the addiction started taking over and suddenly I was smoking at least a pack a day.
This continued up till the summer two years ago. This was the summer when I met this amazing girl, who I now live with. Just as me, she was smoking.
As I continued spending time with her, I figured I should probably quit smoking because I felt very un-fresh smoking as much as I did.
I had a hectic summer with my work and therefore me quitting never really happened.
About half a year after this attempt to quit, my girlfriend succeeded in quitting and I started working at kindergarten.
At kindergarten it was forbidden to smoke during my work days, which ment I had to go from smoking a pack of cigg a day to going 8 hours with out a single cigarette.
This went surprisingly good! I figured it were all just in my head, and because I was prepared and psyched to spend 8 hours a day without smoking, I succeeded without any problems.
This brings us up to four months ago, when I decided to quit. Why did I quit?
After about a year and a half of me working at kindergarten with these daily eight hour breaks from nikotin, I believed I could quit.
So why?
I wanted to smell and breath the fresh air, to save some money and most important of all, to prove to myself I could do it!
I decided on a date when I should quit, and when the day finally came four months ago, I was really positive about it.
As eager as I was, and as my self esteem have grown bigger, I decided to not just quit cigarettes but all nikotin products!
The first week I barely slept, I was just laying in my bed, staring at the ceiling whilst sweating.
I had problems waking up in the mornings, an early morning cigarette with the coffee was my passion and motivation to get up.
Now as I had no cigarette I felt empty, I started noticing how I always had my cigarettes to support me with everything I did.
After every meal, with every coffee, when I was celebrating, when I was down or stressed... The list goes on, I had a cigarette for everything!
It's been some though months I have gone through, I have been having lots of problems focusing on stuff as all I could think about was the cigarette.
Somehow I made it through the first month which were by far the most difficult time for me. And because all the suffering I have gone through I have decided to never ever smoke a cigarette again.
Today I still feel the urge to have a cigarette, but nowhere near as bad as it's been. I can even go a few days without thinking about a cigarette, then I realise, "Wow, I haven't even thought about cigarettes for a few days!" which for me is some great progress.
Also I'm getting better with waking up in the mornings, as I before enjoyed the cigarette with my morning coffee, I now really enjoy the fresh air outside, as I breath all the outside smells are coming back to me.
And at first it might not seem like it but, I'm saving lots of money, a pack of cigarettes are over 6€ in Finland, that will add up to a monthly fee of 180€ if you smoke a pack daily. Crazy!
I made a pros/cons list for you guys, there are probably a bunch more advantages and disadvantages for a smoker but I guess these are the ones I mainly focused on.
Pros & Cons for a smoker
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Intercourse | Unhealthy for both you and others around you |
| A reason for a break | Bad condition |
| Stress relief | Very un-fresh |
| Routines | Worse anger management |
| - | Expensive |
| - | Carcinogenic |
True there are lots of carcinogenic subjects in todays world and smoking is just one many, so why should I quit smoking?
Because quitting is one reason to stay healthier and to dodge one of these many carcinogenic subjects!
Choose wisely!
Nice job dude! I quit smoking about a year ago. I was a smoker for 12 years, and HEAVY. I just got myself a vape and now feel healthier than ever. I know it's not as great as completely quitting, but I feel better about myself and that's all that matters.
Absolutely! Job well done!
The one thing that counts, is that you can feel good about yourself!
12 years is a long time, good job!
i have smoked for like 8 years.. and tried go quit for three times, the last time it lasts for a month, but then i failed again ...i wish i can quit smoke one day
Keep on trying, you have to find that motivation and will to make it through!
I believe you can.
Well done, keep it up.
I quit and all the money I saved now goes on chocolate ;D
Thanks I will, Good job yourself :)
Yeah I have been eating more sweets as well :D
Replace the old habit with a new one. Of course I mean a positive habit that is rewarding to you. I have found that we are creatures of habit. I kicked an alcohol habit with running. The most important thing is to get rid of triggers.
I totally forgot mentioning that part, but that is true, I guess my new habit turned out to be steemit. :)
And I have kind of been eating more sweets....
But at least I'm feeling more at ease now a days, which I find important.
Thanks for the fill up!
This post received a 34% upvote from @randowhale thanks to @jerry12! For more information on @randowhale click here!
Congrats man. I know exactly how hard it is to quit. I Tried and failed many many times. What worked for me was to keep a counter on my home screen on my phone. Everyday I would see the number get bigger and bigger. Once 4,10,20,60 days rolls by I would look at that number on my phone and literally say. "If I smoke a cigarette I will have wasted 60 days of hard work". My counter is now exactly at 222 days!!!
Wow thats amazing! Keep the hard work up!
That's smart thinking.
Smoking is such a no no health wise. Dad was a smoker and my Mom a nurse.
She nagged him for years to quit and he did a couple of times which didn't last until finally he decided he would do it and then, he did.
Yeah thats how you have to do it. you have to really put your mind to it, and just do it.
I have several friends that have been smoking for decades. I introduced them to vaping, and they never went back! Give it a try. You still get your nicotine fix, so the cravings aren't an issue, and you aren't burning anything and putting all the dangerous particulate and carcinogens in your lungs. Nicotine can be toxic in large doses, but the real danger is burning anything and inhaling it. Vaporizing is simply atomized liquid which is considerably safer.
Sounds interesting, I will have to look it up.
Thanks for the advice.
It is better to stop smoking, that vice affects health my friend @jerry12.
I give you my vote and I will follow you
Thanks man, much appreciating.
I feel better this way :)
I'll check you out as well.
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