Hi everyone!
I quit on the 20th June 2012, so I have just had my 7 year anniversary. I wanted to join this forum as I remember from the time I quit that there weren't that many people around who had quit a long time ago and I could have used their support and advice at the time. So I thought, through my own success in this, maybe I can help someone else.
I had smoked for the best part of 17 years, a pack a day (at least), by the time I quit and I was only just short of 32 then. So, like a lot of people, I started as a teenager. I think I was addicted to it the day that I smoked for the first time, or very soon after, and it was a HUGE part of my life ever since. It actually ruled my life. When I went camping or to a rock festival with my friends I'd worry if I had enough cigarettes or if there was anywhere I could buy some more, when I was a poor student I would compromise on food at the end of the month so I could afford cigarettes, I have walked an insane amount of miles in the middle of the night to get my fix, I've left my dates alone in the restaurant table as I needed a fix in between courses etc. I've done the whole shebang as I'm sure most people have on this forum. I have also fooled myself a million times into thinking "I've got this - I can smoke socially" and all the other lies most smokers have told themselves at one point in time.
I quit for a significant period of time twice before I actually quit. I was doing so well on those attempts but the problem, for me, was that I always left the back door open. "Once I've beaten the addiction I can smoke socially". "I can just smoke when I have a drink and then not any other time". Again, many smokers have been there. I, of course, failed. I hated myself for the fact that I couldn't hack it, I always messed it up, always blew my amazing quit. And eventually just resigned myself to be a proper smoker, again. But on the 20th June 2012 something flipped in my head. I was on the street in the middle of the day, took a cigarette out of the pack and realised it was the last one of the pack and I'd have to go buy some more. Then something just went in my head and I decided there and then I actually hate this, I am now done and I will never smoke again. Ever. Not even one puff. Regardless of what happens. I felt surreal, can anyone just quit like THAT?! And I felt extremely relieved - I had just made a major decision which meant I was free. Sure, I would crave it but I was never going to mess this up for the third time.
This was without a doubt one of the best decisions I've ever made and it has improved my life in so many ways! Not sure if people on here will benefit from someone who quit so long ago but in case they do, I would love to be able to help.
