When I want to. Not when you or the doctor, or everyone else in my life, wants me to…
(Now deceased) Addict who smoked from a wheelchair with an attached oxygen tank at his daughters wedding. He did not make it to see his first grandchild.
It is true though. When you really want to, stopping isn’t that hard. I chain smoked for 13 years. And then the time came when I really wanted to stop (I had an upcoming marriage and just needed that money). And because I really wanted to, I did stop.
I’d still suggest to make a plan beforehand though. Mine were nicotine free cigarettes. They really helped my hands to stay occupied and, even more important, I still could go on a smoking break at work from time to time. I let that fade out slowly.
It’s been 6 years and I still crave cigarettes, or my vape, every time I see them being used. Could be 4 floors down in front of the building across the street through a window. I still want a hit.
But I did it. I don’t want to be remembered as that guy who left his daughter all alone in life because he’s a selfish prick. Choosing cigarettes over your own children is fucked.
It’s been almost 14 years for me now. It will never go away completely. Just 2 days ago I rewatched some Sopranos and saw Tony smoke a cigar. Immediately I was extremely tempted to order some nice cigars online. Quenched that though, remembering how last time I tried “just puffing” a cigar and immediately drew deep down (that was my single and only slipup). Nope, no cigars, no shisha, no nothing.
It gets less problematic every year though and the triggers get fewer. Seeing someone smoke in front of a restaurant e.g only triggers a “Uff, good for me that I stopped!” nowadays. That used to be different.
What I meant is, that if you really want to, it is defintly something eveyone can manage. Yes, the addiction is real. But the human will is an amazing thing. One has to find the reason why to want to stop. Then it is defintly possible for everyone.
I was the “Uff, at least I don’t smoke as much as he” guy people looked at to feel better about their own cigarette addiction and no one believed I’d ever stop. But when I really wanted to, I just did. The half assed 20 times I stopped before that though… One has to find his “I want to stop” reason to actually do it.
Don’t let anyone tell you how to take… Erm, how to live your life!
It is true though. When you really want to, stopping isn’t that hard. I chain smoked for 13 years. And then the time came when I really wanted to stop (I had an upcoming marriage and just needed that money). And because I really wanted to, I did stop.
I’d still suggest to make a plan beforehand though. Mine were nicotine free cigarettes. They really helped my hands to stay occupied and, even more important, I still could go on a smoking break at work from time to time. I let that fade out slowly.
Stopping is that hard. But it’s not impossible.
It’s been 6 years and I still crave cigarettes, or my vape, every time I see them being used. Could be 4 floors down in front of the building across the street through a window. I still want a hit.
But I did it. I don’t want to be remembered as that guy who left his daughter all alone in life because he’s a selfish prick. Choosing cigarettes over your own children is fucked.
It’s been almost 14 years for me now. It will never go away completely. Just 2 days ago I rewatched some Sopranos and saw Tony smoke a cigar. Immediately I was extremely tempted to order some nice cigars online. Quenched that though, remembering how last time I tried “just puffing” a cigar and immediately drew deep down (that was my single and only slipup). Nope, no cigars, no shisha, no nothing.
It gets less problematic every year though and the triggers get fewer. Seeing someone smoke in front of a restaurant e.g only triggers a “Uff, good for me that I stopped!” nowadays. That used to be different.
What I meant is, that if you really want to, it is defintly something eveyone can manage. Yes, the addiction is real. But the human will is an amazing thing. One has to find the reason why to want to stop. Then it is defintly possible for everyone.
I was the “Uff, at least I don’t smoke as much as he” guy people looked at to feel better about their own cigarette addiction and no one believed I’d ever stop. But when I really wanted to, I just did. The half assed 20 times I stopped before that though… One has to find his “I want to stop” reason to actually do it.