6 years, 2194 days
I quit 1 January 2019. Every NY I think about my anniversary and celebrate another year. I marvel at how I have stayed quit - it’s the “not one puff” strategy for me. Every day, week, month and year you get stronger. Every year I have been challenged by life’s curveballs and had the internal discussion with myself about “wanting a cigarette”. It rears its head a few times a year but it gets weaker with every year that passes. I still miss smoking. But I do not miss carrying around the burden, cost, smell and the worry that it gave me. I was 49 when I quit and now I will be 55 this year. The 50s have been an eye opener about health and so I am glad I at least tackled the smoking and am not bringing it into my middle aged era. My advice - keep at your quit, don’t stop until you are quit. Quitting lightens your load, that has to be a good thing. Find the support and system that works best for you. For me this included coming to this forum. The support and encouragement was key.
Hi Shamrock
Your story helps me to strengthen even further my final decision last year to quit for good and for life. I am not as far in as you but it’s also very important to me to stay quit. I realise at this point in time I have to be vigilant about it but I am gradually seeing myself as a non smoker.
Enjoyed reading your post . I am on day 5 of my quit . 8!years ago I lost a quit that had lasted four years and it’s taken me this long to try again. It’s always encouraging to read about someone like yourself that is slaying the nicotine dragon as I like to call it ! Way to share and encourage others !
Enjoyed reading your post . I am on day 5 of my quit . 8!years ago I lost a quit that had lasted four years and it’s taken me this long to try again. It’s always encouraging to read about someone like yourself that is slaying the nicotine dragon as I like to call it ! Way to share and encourage others !
Thanks Grainy and Cuba for your comments - if I can encourage in any way this is so meaningful to me. Before I posted yesterday I went back and re-read all my posts in this forum. I had such a hard time quitting, and because it was so hard I could not bear to turn back and do it all over. Somehow I made it one foot in front of the other. And I have no regrets. Keep at it, it’s life changing once you mentally feel free ☘️
Thanks Grainy and Cuba for your comments - if I can encourage in any way this is so meaningful to me. Before I posted yesterday I went back and re-read all my posts in this forum. I had such a hard time quitting, and because it was so hard I could not bear to turn back and do it all over. Somehow I made it one foot in front of the other. And I have no regrets. Keep at it, it’s life changing once you mentally feel free ☘️
This has helped me. I needed this today. I’m 3 days in my quit plan and I don’t want to ever have to experience this again. I want to stay quit and this helped me so much. Thank you for posting.
Thanks Amanda Panda for your words. They encourage me. Day 3 for you is amazing ! It’s an important day, and tomorrow will be day 4. And next is day 5. It’s one day at a time and soon you will have banked a chunk of time. Keep at it, it is going to happen !
Congratulations on finding your reasons to quit , and your freedom!
It is great to be free of the ball and chain. We didn't realize how much it dictated our lives.
These sites do offer insight, encouragement and great support. It kind of keeps you accountable to yourself too. Great post!