Stories & experiences

I'm not far behind the 3 year mark. Like you, I feel much better too. Like you, I love my choice, to not smoke.
yippee

No regrets here either. We can only hope others will stop being so fearful of the process and the outcome. I remember the days when I smoked so much that I gave myself a headache!

Became a smoker during covid in 2019 and quickly progressed to a packet a day. Some of my friends smoked, most did not. I also retired during that period and with more free time and limited ways to spend it due to covid restrictions, smoking quickly progressed as my vice of slavery. It was never my intention to smoke post covid but my habit had become integral to my daily routines and in any case, I could always stop tomorrow. I tried to discern what it was about smoking that I enjoyed yet despite not being able to put my finger on it, I did not want to give it up and had little motivation to do so. After all, there was always next year to do that and the new medications I was prescribed since I had started smoking (Blood Pressure etc) were relatively cheap. Intervention: Feb 2022 - Heart Attack and Surgery. As hospitals do not allow smoking and I could not get out of a hospital bed for a week, I endured an enforced form of abstinence. Offered patches etc but decided to do it cold turkey as the hospital medications were having a calmative effect. I was surprised as to how minimal my cravings were and I didnt really think about smoking during my hospital admission. That was until the day I was discharged and I had my first strong craving the instant I got into a car to go home (I always 'lit up' as soon as I got into a vehicle) and then when I got home. Over the next few days I resisted the urges to smoke and realised how strong my routines had become associated with smoking. I made significant changes in that area (taking a short walk - breathing exercises - speaking with friends - altering the physical environments of areas in the home where I had previously smoked). Four weeks in, I have a spring in my step, money in my wallet and the urges to smoke are being replaced with stronger thoughts of why an otherwise healthy and sane individual would start or keep smoking in the first place. I have read many stories in this forum about members laping and relapsing, it gives me insight as to how easily it can happen to me. To those that have tried and lapsed, I suggest you do not define yourself by your relapses but rather you decision to pursue a smoke free life regardless of them. Good luck to all.

Ha yeah, I remember when long-haul flights were becoming smoke-free & Me, probably the only one getting busted smoking in the rear toilet. Very embarrassing to be caught more than once on the same flight!
I am so grateful to not have to plan a secret smoking place now because, I Dont Smoke.