Respiratory issues, bad smell, cost, always looking for a place to smoke, and so on, these are reasons many people quit smoking or take breaks. But for me, they weren’t enough. At least the attempts I made based on these reasons didn’t work. This time, my main reason was the Seventh Semi-Sufficient Principle. According to this principle, throughout life, others try to make you like them. You shouldn’t become like them. Just because "everyone" is doing something doesn’t mean it’s right, and doing it requires more reflection. Like smoking, social media, smartphones, and more.

I believe the main reason people smoke is a lack of self-confidence. These days, I’m consistently working on building mine. Also, combining this principle with the question, “Do I really need this?” and asking myself before doing anything every day makes me realize that I hardly know any confident person who smokes. Now, like many others, those moments of tension or shock are better handled by taking deep breaths by the window instead of lighting a cigarette.

In other words, think about people who don’t smoke, who are alive, facing challenges, and have no urge to smoke. Not the ones who open a pack at the slightest breeze.

Moreover, we know life is a collection of addictions. Addiction to food, drinks, affection, excitement, feeling important, coffee, tea, and similar things. Each can give you a “good” feeling if consumed in the right dose, consistently, and alongside other healthy habits. Each becomes problematic when it makes you ignore the rest, and that’s when you need to test yourself by setting them aside temporarily.

Life Before Smoking

After quitting, don’t think that your routine lost something. Think that something entered your routine for a while, came and went like any other experience. Life without cigarettes isn’t challenging, life with cigarettes is.

Failure Doesn’t Have a Special Meaning

Even if you slip after 10 days or have just one cigarette, it doesn’t mean you’ve failed. Instead of two packs a day for 10 days, you only had one cigarette. See? Even “failing” is a kind of victory.

Also, there’s nothing wrong with quitting and returning multiple times. First, as the proverb says, it’s better to return from a loss than continue, and second, every minute you delay between cigarettes reduces harm, it’s not shameful, it’s commendable. Third and most important, someone who’s returned multiple times knows the risk and is more cautious than someone quitting for the first time. They understand that even one cigarette after three months can disrupt the whole plan.

My Reports on Life After Quitting

Starting November 1, 2017

Today, after receiving my discharge papers in front of the barracks, I smoked my last cigarette. I spent the final months of service dreaming about this moment, and for the reasons I mentioned above, my journey with cigarettes and other addictive, uncontrollable habits ended.

Update December 1, 2017

Except for the dreams I’ve been having, everything is going great. I’ve gained some weight by replacing cigarette cravings with fruits and snacks. I’m compensating with more walking and basketball.

Update January 1, 2018

Last time, quitting became unbearable in two moments: my birthday and feeling good. This time, even in those situations, I had no problems. Until today, I didn’t mind being around people who smoked. The smell was fine. But today, after sitting two hours in a café, I had a headache I hadn’t experienced in a long time. I need to be a bit more careful about the places I go. Also, one trigger is the usual path from home to the bus or taxi stop. Previously, my first move was opening a pack; now I just try an alternate route for a while.

Update February 1, 2018

Thirteen weeks have passed, and I owe my continued abstinence to previous quitting experiences. Why? Because I know it only takes one cigarette to relapse, and the urge after a few months is stronger. Reading this post and remembering the tough journey helps. Almost all my friends are smokers. That makes me feel a little outside the group when we hang out. Combine this with quitting social media, and now I’m the only one at a café table not glued to my phone, waiting for others to look up and talk. Feels a bit like an old man.

Update March 1, 2018

Everything is safe and calm. Except that the habit of opening the window and taking deep breaths in cold air caused my sinus issues, and I spent a week with steam treatments.

Update April 1, 2018

Today is March 30, 2018, exactly five months or 150 days since I smoked my last cigarette in front of the barracks. Looking back, I even cringe at the phrase “smoking,” let alone the act itself. This was my most decisive and successful attempt yet. The only effective method was imagining what a regular non-smoker would do in any tempting situation, and doing that. The urges have now minimized, and I can say I’ve returned to a normal, cigarette-free life.

I considered attending CODA group sessions to help others, but for now, I don’t feel ready. That will be for later.

Update May 1, 2018 (Final monthly update, 6 months completed)

Read the full post about this: Six Months After Quitting Smoking

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Life After Quitting Social Media

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