About Me:

• 29 years old
• Smoked from ages 18-30
• About half a pack a day

While I did quit for about a half a year when I was ~23, that was due to me moving back in with my parents so I switched to vapes. I abused those hard and switched back to cigarettes as soon as I could.

I truly don’t know how to convey how impossible quitting sounded to me just 30 days ago. Hell, even 20 days ago when I was already 10 days into this thing, I didn’t really think I’d make it to a month. Cigarettes are - were - just part of my personality and losing them felt like losing a part of myself. That was the addiction lying to me.

Around Week 3 it was as if the blinding darkness of abstinence began to recede as my eyes adjusted. And now I can see more clearly, and I can see how every excuse I made, every failed attempt to quit, every rationalization was not entirely my own.

I can honestly say that I do not want to smoke now. I’m beyond happy to put the last 11 years behind me and look forward. I know I still need to be on my guard, but I’m optimistic for the first time in what feels like forever.

If you’re struggling, here are a few tips that made this happen for me. They won’t do it for you, it’s up to you at the end of the day, but these can help:

• Don’t quit forever. Quit for one month. After one month, see how you feel. I bet you - like me - will feel entirely different and want to continue. But letting yourself give sobriety a try for one month is much more manageable than imagining your whole life without the very thing causing your cravings.

• Check into this subreddit as often as you can. This community is only as powerful as its members and it’s a real source of motivation when it is active.

• Identify your triggers and try to avoid them. For me, workplace stress is a huge trigger. Instead of a cigarette, I go walk and buy myself a small treat. Still cheaper than cigarettes.

You can do this!