Three years ago, I quit smoking. It was one of the longest days of my life, as I began my war with Nic - determined that I would win. It wasn't easy. It was damned difficult. Hour after hour, urge after urge, I fought my evil adversary. I came to this board often, I read, I posted, I whined, I laughed, I cried. The only thing I didn't do was smoke a cigarette.
It took a while, but eventually, a day turned into a week - and I celebrated. A week turned into a month - and I celebrated. A month turned into three months - and I celebrated. Three months turned into a year - and I celebrated. One year turned into two - and I celebrated. And now, today, that first day has turned into THREE YEARS since I stopped smoking cigarettes.
I still have my quit meter running. It tells me that as of today, in those three years, I have would have smoked 21,910 cigarettes. I would have spent $6,070US for them. But I did not.
Wanna know how I did it? Wanna know my secret? It's nothing profound.
I quit one urge at a time. Time after time after time after time after time, until 1,095 days have passed.
Before this quit, I had tried and failed many times. This time, I was simply and completely fed up with the habit and with myself for being Nic's slave. I was spent. I was at rock bottom. I knew I had a single choice to make: quit, or smoke for the rest of my life.
I quit.
I post this today to offer my story as a bit of encouragement for all of you who struggle in your quits. I'm here to tell you I rarely even think of smoking a cigarette, I never have a crave, and I finally am giving myself permission to consider my quit a success, while being ever mindful that if I ever choose to have just one, I'll be a full-time smoker again in a day or two. My experience can be your experience as well - it simply takes time and commitment.
A year ago, I met a woman and began a new relationship. We now live together. Here's the kicker - she smokes cigarettes. Not a lot - maybe 4-5 a day and always outdoors, but she has them around. She's working up the courage to quit for good, but for right now, she still smokes. I know I'm successful because I see those cigarettes, I smell the smoke, and nothing happens. I get no urges.
I wish you all the luck in the world, and the strength to succeed in your quit. Thanks to all who've helped me along the way; my debt to you is immeasurable. To those whom I've not yet met - be well, and be smoke free. There's nothing like it in the world!