I Quit
I have been nicotine-free for sixteen days.
I started late on the cancer stick. When I was twelve, my mates would be sneaking around cigarettes with alcohol. I can never get myself to have one puff. It sort of scared me, the thought of having fire in my mouth sent my imagination on overdrive. I took up the habit when I was sixteen at uni. I did not think college life would drive me into such a disgusting habit. I started smoking at least a pack of red Lucky Strikes daily. On stressful days the number would spike up to unpredictable values. I kept this up for about three years until I decided drinking a lot is enough without the nicotine so I quit cold turkey. It has never been hard for me to quit a habit, no matter what it is. I thought that one incident of quitting would last for the rest of my life but it did not. I started smoking again after three years. I was at my first teaching job and I had a hard time trying to segregate my ideals from what needs to be done. We would have ten minute breaks every hour and I would spend all of it on the cancer stick. After six months, I decided to leave my job and my dirty habit. I made it through a year in my new job without cigarettes. After that, I started smoking like a chimney for three years. I quit for another six months and as this new year started, my habit resumed. Eight months into the year, I have decided to be rid of it for good. I do not even smoke when I am out drinking. The weird thing is, I do not really smoke when drinking. It makes me feel sick and keeps me from enjoying my drink.
One mate got me an e-cigarette. It is like nicorette in a fake cigarette that you charge with the usb cable that come with it. The filter has a tiny cartridge for the nicotine and you can smoke away without the fire, smoke or tar. I do not exactly need it since I do not get withdrawal symptoms from not have a smoke. I do appreciate the thought though. He got it for me before he knew I quit.
My mission now is to stay nicotine-free until my last natural breath. Wish me luck.