1 year smoke free anniversary!

Couple of days, on 6 January 2021 will be one year since quitting smoking for me and gaining the freedom of becoming a non-smoker.

Despite 2020 being one of the most difficult years for many, including myself, my father also unexpectedly passed away. There were many times I felt like folding but I didn’t... I didn’t post here this time last year, but I read through some of the posts of people that had been quit for one year and it really inspired me to stick with it, I thought wow that could be me posting my 12 month smoke free anniversary on icanquit.com.au and here I am. It is well worth the struggle, I feel great.. be warned it will be tough but keep going as the pay off is incalculable.

There is no right or wrong way, and like others say, you will have those moments where you may miss the habit and feel like one, but it will get easier, just keep going.. I used nicotine gum for the first month (about 25 pieces in total) just whenever I was having a bad craving I would chew away until I thought less and less about wanting the gum. I had smoked for 25 years. I feel so much better, I am thinking of quitting alcohol next too... drink water, go for a walk, exercise, meditation is also amazing, especially for the emotional/mental capacity of losing your friend in the cigarette, incredible the emotions you don’t realise you avoid by smoking.. remembering why you quit in the first place will continue to spur you on too, mine was the feeling of freedom that I did not have as a smoker, I felt I needed a job just to support my habit.. so, it’s the feeling of freedom, emotional and financial freedom where my gratitude lies for being a non smoker and this thought keeps me quit. Keep coming back here too if you’re struggling.

All the best everyone, best decision you will make! Stay strong 💪 be gentle with yourself on those tough days too.