January 20th, 2008 by john 
in Categories: 
At midnight on January 19, 1997, I quit smoking, for good. This time. Yes, I had quit several times before. But, this time was different. My heart was in it. I really wanted to give it up. That was four thousand-eighteen (4018) days ago! It seems like just yesterday that I would rollover, open one eye and feel around my night stand, scrambling for a cigarette.
Do I miss it? You bet I do! I’m an addict. Do I regret quitting? Are you kidding? The benefits of quitting far out-way the pleasures of smoking. I can breathe again. I can taste and smell. I don’t wake up every morning coughing uncontrollably.
Is it hard to quit? You’re darn right it is. Day number one was the worst. It was like time was standing still. Hour by hour, minute by minute, second by second the clock seemed to move backwards. I thought the day would never end. But it did. Straight into day number two. Only slightly less agonizing. Days three, four, five, a week and finally a month had passed. Ahhhhh! Finally a month. I was beginning to loose the urge to hurt innocent by-standers. My kids started to feel like it was safe to have a conversation with me! AND alas, I began to start feeling better.
A month turned into two, three, and then a year. Five years into ten. The urge to light up is very rare now. BUT, when it’s there, it’s INTENSE, for thirty seconds or so. Then it’s gone again. Maybe for months. Life as a recovering addict. BUT, it is possible. I’m living proof!
Have you quit yet? Do you want to? I’d like to hear you story.
Related Posts:
My name is John.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Great job on the smoke free life. I wish everyone would stop smoking!
Reply
Thank you. I have mixed feelings on this. The city I live in, along with some of the surrounding cities are discussing total smoking bans in restaurants and bars. On the one hand it sure would be nice to avoid dealing with the smoke. On the other hand it seems almost un-american for the government to dictate personal choices, for both the citizen and the business owners. So, I don’t know. We’ll have to see how it plays out.
Reply