It is hard but I quit smoking after 30 years

Smoking is a harmful habit that can damage the body in many ways. Despite the many warnings and negative publicity about smoking, many people still continue to smoke. I know this from personal experience. When I was 12 years old, I started smoking without paying attention to the warnings. I was only interested in the advertisements that made smoking look cool. My first cigarette made me sick, but that didn’t stop me. I quickly became addicted. I wish I had quit smoking after the first one.

For over 30 years, I struggled to quit smoking. One of the reasons I finally quit was because my father died from chronic smoking. It made me realize the power of the drugs in cigarettes and the damage they were doing to my body. Even though I was physically fit and able to run miles in the Army, smoking had been silently taking a toll on me. As I got older, simple tasks like climbing stairs became difficult.

I knew I had to quit

The turning point for me came when I was helping a friend repair his roof. I was carrying shingles up a ladder and onto the roof, something I had done many times before. But this time, each trip up the ladder left me more winded. Eventually, I was standing on the roof, gasping for air. I couldn’t breathe, I was dizzy, and nauseous. That’s when I realized it was time to quit smoking.

Quitting smoking is not easy. I know this from personal experience. I struggled with it for nearly a year. My approach was to quit “cold turkey” by simply stopping all at once. It was difficult, especially when I was around other smokers. I would often give in and smoke just one cigarette, but that would lead to another and another. Eventually, I would smoke too many in a short period and that would make me ill and remind me of the experience of being on the roof, gasping for air. But, I was able to overcome it, and it’s been years since I’ve had a cigarette.

What made me successful in quitting smoking? For me, it was the moment when I truly decided that I wanted to stop. Until I made that decision wholeheartedly, I wasn’t going to be able to quit. I’ve known many smokers who have tried different methods to quit such as medication, nicotine gum, patches, and hypnotism. But, only those who truly wanted to quit were able to do so. I believe that no matter what method you use, if you don’t have the desire in your heart to quit, it won’t happen.

How I Quit Smoking

The method I used to quit smoking was to change my thinking about cigarettes. I focused on everything negative about smoking – how bad they tasted, the unpleasant smell, how it affected my breath around others and more. By constantly thinking about these negative aspects, I was able to turn away from the addiction. Gradually, I grew to dislike everything about smoking and eventually, I hated cigarettes enough to give them up for good. It was like setting a goal and working towards it every day. My desire to quit smoking grew stronger and stronger until finally, I quit smoking for good.

I am happy to be smoke-free. I can exercise, walk up a flight of stairs, and even run a couple of miles without feeling winded. and I feel much better than I did when I was smoking. Being free of that addiction is a great feeling.

My final thoughts on smoking are simple: it is not good for anyone. If you want to quit smoking, the first step is to take action. Start by making a list of all the negative effects of smoking that you know of. Read this list every day and remind yourself of the reasons why you want to quit. When you’re around smokers, think about how bad their clothes smell. When you have cravings, remind yourself of the unpleasant taste and smell of cigarettes on your hands. Use any thought that can help discourage you from smoking.

Once you’ve taken these steps, make a list of all the positive things about being a non-smoker. This will help you build the willpower you need to quit smoking. Remember, quitting smoking is a choice that will greatly improve your health.