How I quit

It took me several tries to quit. 

Unlike most quitters who went through other alternatives like nicotine patches, inhalers, e-cigs and the like, I didn't go through that. I had no substitution whatsoever because I was aware of what I was putting myself into. Quitting a bad habit requires heaps of self-control. Through all my quitting tries, I've always done it cold turkey. It's been two weeks since my last cigarette. 

I was scared that if I would quit, I would not perform my tasks just as fast as I did. I was scared that I might gain weight. I was scared to deal with all the troubles in life without something to run away to. The cigarette was my best friend. It helped me got through a lot of problems...but I did not realise before that it was just covering my old problems with new ones.

I have really low care about my health. My health was the least of my concerns in the journey of quitting. Unlike most people who would like to live in this world a little bit longer than expected, I never really cared if I died tomorrow. It was just how I thought.

A lot of things happened in my life though that did make me quit, without any options.

One thing was my university tuition fees. Ironically i'm a Medicine student, and an international student at that. My parents didn't have enough even to pay for their every day bills and were struggling back home, so I had to find a way. I had to cut back from all the unnecessary expenses, that including cigarettes, to save up.

Another was my boyfriend. When people tell me to quit I really just shrug them off, but he was good to me. He was also an ex smoker and he knew the dissonance I had to go through, so he was my support all the way. A good support buddy is all you need.

Another was my skin. Now, ladies and gentlemen, we all deal with acne one way or another. Cigarettes aggravate it. Not only that, they also make you look dull and pale. Ever since I threw my last cigarette away I feel and look much better. I wasn't having any cold sweats anymore and, I smell good now.

Finally, was the book The Fault In Our Stars by John Green. I love books, and most books always have smoking in it. However, this book made me pull the trigger. It was just so poignant in me that I just quit it immediately.

So those are my tips:

1) Quit for a goal (either it's for your health, for others, or for your bank account)

2) Always have someone to support you.

3) Self control: Always think before you act. Think about the consequences of your actions. If you don't like what your actions will give you (for mine it was bad skin), then don't do it.

4) Be inspired. Quit because you want to, not because you have to. Quit because you want to grow into a better person, with better goals and stronger self-control. Quit because you have learned to say no.