My Progress Report
Today I was near someone who was smoking and the cigarette smelt so bad, and I smelt the trail of the cigarette full force, and how it clung to the person as they walked past me. I am just sooo glad I have quit now for quite a while, and I dont ever want to look back. I know in my heart of hearts I won't ever smoke again.
There are many reasons to quit. For me, my health well-being and money are my main reasons, but my health is a top priority, especially as I get older.
I now see smoking as a tragic and sad affair; on every level. I have seen smoking take people's lives, lives cut way too short by this tragic addiction.
If I can help one person to see that quitting smoking is a wonderful and great achievement in life then I feel my stories are a success. For myself, I feel that I have succeeded in achieving something really great and I feel proud of myself, especially since it took me so long to finally stop.
When I extinguished my final cigarette I decided once and for all that that was it, no more bull, no more procrastination and no more excuses. I was hard on myself. It was a cement milkshake-the realization.
I don't really know why I had such a difficult time in stopping for good. There are so many great benefits in quitting, too many to list. Its really good to do some research on smoking and nicotine. Nicotine has power, but as people we are more powerful and can make a choice: This Is My Last Cigarette (or vape) Ever.
Thank you Cuba... your words are exactly what I needed to read... You are doing soooo well. I have read many of your history posts and I admire how you have overcome obsticles and have reached many goals in your journey.
You, amoung others, are such an inspiration. Seriously... I don't think you know how YOUR words affects us beginners... I know you were exactly were I am today... Thank you for your success as it is really does make me comfortable that some day,,,, I will be "comfortable" without smoking a cig... ever and ever again.
Hi Sawyer,
Thanks for your reply. Its really nice to read that you think Iv'e inspired you. At one time I was a totally compulsive addict to cigarettes and I would sometimes chain smoke. Its absolutley for certain that If I can do it then anyone can. And its important to make a big deal out of it (quitting) for a while because it needs to be a focus in your life. For a while all you can think about is smoking but over time as long as you do your best to remain committed to your decision to not smoke anymore, it does get easier. Given that, I have spoken today about a very recent major craving that I had. It almost felt like a last hurrah for my mind. But I didn't give in. Someone said to me "Just Be", without the cigarettes/nicotine. I think that is like your comment about being comfortable without smoking a cig. And the motto N.O.P.E is very helpful : not one puff ever, hope that helps.
Community Guru
An awesome post Cuba
.Your first line reached out and grabbed me. I once smelled like that. YUCK.
I was an addict to nicotine, just glad that that was legal.
I made countless excuses over the years to keep smoking.
I was ignorant of the actual truths.
If we all drew on the little things to give us more incentive to stay on track. If we all only knew more about nicotine and ourselves! We are stronger than we think and we most certainly have not lost the power to CHOOSE.
You've got this Cuba.....keep posting!
Thanks Happiness. I like what you said about drawing on the little things to get more incentive to stay on track. I have just written a post of a story or incident that happened which has pretty much changed the way I'm thinking about it now. And it is all about Choice and the power to choose. Now I can even leave a lighter in a particular place and it doesn't trigger me. Yet I just beat down one huge craving recently. It reminded me that I need to stay vigilant, and it also showed me that I won over the craving and if I can do that then hopefully future ones will be smaller. I just need to turn that corner where I absolutely know that I will never smoke again. Mentally I'm strong its the emotions/feelings that can get the better of me. Nicotine is really insidious because or partly because its a stimulant which causes feelings of relaxation, or seems to. I'm now actually seeing it for what it is, breaking down the illusions. But after all that if you can deal with all of the reasons and excuses then there is light.