I got to thinking about the last time I made the choice to have "just one" cigarette. I was dealing with some very emotional stuff and my stinkin' thinkin' convinced me I could have "just one" cigarette to get through it.
This came at a time when I had quit for 13 years. THIRTEEN YEARS.
So the stuff happened, and I caved, and I had "just one." You know the next part of the story. One turned into two, two turned into half a pack, half a pack turned into a pack, and "just one" turned into becoming a pack a day smoker for the next six years.
So…how much did "just one" cigarette cost? At the time, I though it would cost $5 or so for a pack of smokes.
But that's inaccurate. "Just one" cigarette cost nearly $11,000 over the next six years.
Was it worth it? The emotional crisis passed in a few days or weeks. The damage to my self-esteem lasted six years.
No matter how good it feels in the moment, they don't make a cigarette that's worth $11,000. Never have, never will.
Next time you're tempted to have "just one," calculate the true cost. Wish I'd done that almost eight years ago.
I got to thinking about the last time I made the choice to have "just one" cigarette. I was dealing with some very emotional stuff and my stinkin' thinkin' convinced me I could have "just one" cigarette to get through it.
This came at a time when I had quit for 13 years. THIRTEEN YEARS.
So the stuff happened, and I caved, and I had "just one." You know the next part of the story. One turned into two, two turned into half a pack, half a pack turned into a pack, and "just one" turned into becoming a pack a day smoker for the next six years.
So…how much did "just one" cigarette cost? At the time, I though it would cost $5 or so for a pack of smokes.
But that's inaccurate. "Just one" cigarette cost nearly $11,000 over the next six years.
Was it worth it? The emotional crisis passed in a few days or weeks. The damage to my self-esteem lasted six years.
No matter how good it feels in the moment, they don't make a cigarette that's worth $11,000. Never have, never will.
Next time you're tempted to have "just one," calculate the true cost. Wish I'd done that almost eight years ago.
Aaaah but you have done it now Dgee and very successfully.
I know what you mean about self esteem though. I always felt like a second class citizen when I smoked:confused: Not any more though. Great to see you posting, always an interesting read
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