Hi Guys/Girls,
I quit smoking cold turkey three weeks ago. I have smoked on and off for a few years now and I have tried to give up twice before. I smoked 20 cigarettes a day.
This time is different.
Both previous two times I used patches and gum and not for long. What I learnt from those experiences is YOU CANNOT SAY TO YOURSELF: "OH, I'LL ONLY HAVE A FEW CIGARETTES". If you have had an addiction to cigarettes you will be back smoking full time within a few days.
This time I decided, 'look if I want to do this for real, I need to fight through it and conquer it once and for all.' So for the past three weeks, cravings have gone from terrible to none and my mood is started to get a lot better. What I will say is, after three weeks, I feel SIGNIFICANTLY better, life is a lot easier and I feel happier. I also feel my fitness is starting to improve, its easier to breathe, walk and exercise. I feel that day to day living is no longer as much of a chore but is more of a pleasure and I enjoy life more. I feel like I am starting to do more of the right things for myself to really realise my potential as opposed to ruining it with nicotine and cigarettes.
Since I have quit smoking I have also cut down on drinking. I have realized that the more drugs (alcohol and cigarettes) I use, the less happy I am and the more I am trying to escape my reality as opposed to confronting it and living it. On the deepest level I believe we use drugs to avoid doing the things we really want to do in life, and in the process damage ourselves.
So if you're thinking about quitting, please understand that you are doing A LOT more than physically helping yourself, you are cleansing, regenerating and improving your mind, body and soul, and in the process, progressing on the path to live the life you have always wanted.
Thank you and God bless
Joe