Breaking Free: My 7-Year Victory Over Smoking

“Cigarettes are a classy way to commit suicide.” — Kurt Vonnegut

From Chains to Freedom: My 7+ Year Journey to Quitting Smoking

Each time March rolls around, bringing us to its second week, there’s this one day that feels like a shift in the air, literally and figuratively for many. It’s “International No Smoking Day,” tucked into the calendar on the second Wednesday of March. This year, it landed on March 13, 2024. But it’s more than just a date. It’s a milestone, etched not just on calendars but in the hearts of those who’ve managed to escape the haze of smoke that once shrouded their days. Here I am, ready to tell you my story — a tale of transformation from a chain smoker to relishing the pure joy of smoke-free lungs. It’s been quite the ride, over seven years (7 years) now, and I’m counting down to September 16 this year when I’ll be celebrating my eighth year without a cigarette.

This tale isn’t just any story. It’s a voyage — one that took me from going through more than a pack a day as a chain smoker to basking in the joy of breathing fresh air. You might wonder, “Why does this matter?” Think about it. Picture holding onto something that’s slowly chipping away at your very core, your health, until you hit a moment of clarity and decide you’ve had enough. It’s monumental, truly.

But let’s step back for a second. Cast your mind back to those days when being seen as cool hinged on fitting in, sometimes even meaning to light up a cigarette. Remember those times? My journey into the world of smoking started during those carefree engineering college days. Back then, our worries were few, but the pressure to fit in was immense. Little did I realize that what began as a simple attempt to blend in would entangle itself into my daily life, morphing from a quick stress relief to a grip I couldn’t shake off.

So, as we delve into my story, I urge you to reflect. Ever found yourself ensnared by a habit you desperately wanted to shed? If you’re nodding, then strap in. You’re not just listening to my journey; it might resonate with you more than you think.

Let’s embark on this smoke-free journey together, shall we?

Early Days: The Ignition of a Habit

Ah, those engineering days, huh? Endless nights hunched over assignments, projects that felt like they’d never end, and the start of habits we swore we’d never fall for. Can you recall the first time you went along with something just because it seemed like everyone else was? That was how I found myself stepping into the smoking circle.

It all began with a single cigarette. More than anything, it was a nod to friendship, a way to fit in with the crowd that set the trends. That one cigarette, passed around during those marathon study nights or in those fleeting moments of respite between lectures, quickly became a part of my routine. Before I knew it, what was once a rare indulgence spiraled into a pack-a-day habit. Rings a bell, doesn’t it?

Looking back, I guess it was a mix of wanting to fit in and seeking a way out. The relentless grind of those four years, the constant push to be on top — cigarettes seemed like the perfect stress reliever. But was it truly easing the pressure, or was it just adding another link to the chain that was slowly encircling me? Oh, the irony. We thought we were puffing our way to freedom, but each inhale was actually a step deeper into captivity.

Back then, smoking was more than just breathing in and out; it was a whole ritual. It was our excuse to pause, to catch up, to exchange both laughter and frustrations. Yet, when the smoke finally settled, the habit stuck around, embedding itself into our daily lives even more firmly than any of our engineering lessons. Could any of us have predicted we’d end up here, reflecting on those bygone smoke signals?

Realization and Consequences

Then came the wake-up calls, subtle at first, like a nudge in the ribs, then louder, like an alarm you can’t snooze. Ever noticed how certain things, like your favorite foods, started losing their taste, or how the aroma of rain-soaked earth didn’t hit quite the same anymore? For me, it was the hoarseness in my voice, a constant companion, and the bouts of coughing that seemed to have taken a permanent lease on my lungs.

It’s strange, isn’t it? How we ignore the whispers of our body until they turn into screams. Throat issues, a never-ending cold, a lingering cough — the signs were all there, painted in bold, yet I chose to look the other way. Why? Because in the high-stakes world of professionalism and adulting, lighting up a cigarette felt like holding a key to instant stress relief and social acceptance.

Picture this: a group of professionals, huddled in a car park, sharing smokes and stories of conquests and challenges. Sounds like a scene from a movie, right? That was my reality. This small smokers’ club wasn’t just about smoking; it was our little escape, a place to share knowledge and build connections. But at what cost?

It dawned on me that this ‘bond’ was laced with toxins, both literal and metaphorical. Our health was the price of admission to this club. Did we really need to smoke to forge connections or share experiences? Was this camaraderie worth the cough, the lost tastes, and smells?

The Turning Point

Have you ever stumbled upon a truth that quietly but persistently changes the course of your life? For me, it wasn’t a sudden revelation but a slow-building realization, punctuated by an insight from a past colleague and friend, a “Quitter,” who shared something that has since been etched in my mind. He said, “It takes five years to undo the damage of just one cigarette to your lungs.” Imagine that! At the time, I had already taken the significant step of quitting in 2016, but these words lingered, a quiet reminder of the path I had chosen.

Fast forward to the early months of 2020, when the world was grappling with the onset of COVID-19. This wasn’t just a global health crisis; it was a personal alarm bell. Hearing about friends and acquaintances struggling with the virus, especially those with compromised lungs, sent shivers down my spine. It was a stark reminder of what could have been my fate had I not quit smoking four years earlier.

This period of turmoil wasn’t just about the pandemic; it was a reinforcement of my decision to quit smoking. The constant stream of bad news, the loss of known faces, reignited the panic and fear I felt towards my past habits. It made me realize how fortunate I was to have left behind a habit that could have had me fighting for every breath during such a crisis.

The words of my ex-colleague resonated louder than ever during these times, serving as a sobering reminder of the journey I had embarked on. The realization that I had already been working on undoing the damage of my past smoking habits for years brought a mix of relief and renewed determination.

Reflecting on this, the turning point in my journey wasn’t just the day I decided to quit smoking; it was every day thereafter, especially during the pandemic, when the gravity of that decision was underscored by the world around me. It was a reaffirmation that quitting was one of the best decisions I had ever made for my health and my future.

The Path to Quitting

Ever faced a mountain that seemed too steep to climb? That’s exactly how the journey to quitting smoking felt at the beginning. Daunting, yes, but not impossible. The first step? Admitting that it was time to bid adieu to my loyal but harmful companion, the cigarette. It wasn’t about waving a magic wand and poof, the cravings disappeared. No, it was about gearing up for a battle, one where determination was my armor.

The path was anything but straight. It zigzagged through cravings, mood swings, countless temptations, and, hahah….😂, let’s not forget the potty irregularity! Believe it or not, smoking was my quirky little aide in…well, potty training. Who knew quitting would take me back to the basics of bathroom routines? Talk about a full-circle moment!

But here’s the thing about journeys — they teach you, mold you, and most importantly, they show you what you’re made of. My arsenal? A steady dose of determination, and instead of reaching for a cigarette, I found solace in a glass of lukewarm water or, on some days, Triphala powder in a glass of warm water. Triphala, a revered polyherbal concoction made from the dried fruits of Emblica officinalis, Terminalia bellerica, and Terminalia chebula, became my go-to for not just physical but mental detox.

I surrounded myself with cheerleaders — friends, family, and especially my wife, who was then my girlfriend, who supported my decision. Their encouragement was the boost I needed whenever the path seemed too hard to navigate. And guess what? Slowly but surely, the cravings began to subside, the fog cleared, and I started seeing the benefits — better health, improved senses, and a newfound appreciation for the little joys of life.

If you’re standing at the foot of your mountain, wondering if it’s worth the climb, let me tell you, it is. Yes, the journey is tough, the path riddled with challenges, but the view from the top? Absolutely breathtaking.

My Method: Gradual Quitting

Alright, let’s get into the nitty-gritty, shall we? How did I actually kick this habit to the curb? Was it a magic trick? A sudden epiphany? Nah, it was something much simpler, yet incredibly challenging: gradual quitting.

Imagine trying to cut chai out of your life. Sounds tough, right? That’s how it felt ditching cigarettes. But instead of going cold turkey, I took it one step at a time. Each cigarette not smoked was a small victory, a step towards a healthier me. I began by reducing the number I smoked each day. If I was puffing away on ten a day, I cut it down to eight, then six, and so on. It wasn’t easy, especially on days when stress knocked on my door, tempting me to fall back into old patterns.

But here’s where the fun part came in — tracking my progress. I turned it into a game. For each day I smoked fewer cigarettes than the day before, I rewarded myself. Nothing fancy, mind you. Maybe an extra hour of FIFA football game on my computer, or downloading new games online and extending my “Steam Membership” for games like “Company of Heroes: Tales of Valor”, a strategy game. I am a video game freak still now, if you ask my old colleagues they can vouch for me. It was about celebrating the small wins, you know?

And then, there were the no-smoking regimes. I set myself challenges — first a day without smoking, then two, and so on. Each smoke-free day was a reason to pat myself on the back. It was like building a muscle, the more I practiced, the stronger my willpower became.

Now, don’t get me wrong. There were moments of weakness, times when I slipped up. But instead of beating myself up, I reminded myself that tomorrow is a new day, a fresh start. It’s all about persistence, patience, and a bit of self-love.

So, to anyone thinking, “Can I do this?” Yes, you can! It’s all about taking that first step, however small. Remember, it’s not about the speed, but the direction. Keep moving forward, and before you know it, you’ll be looking back, wondering why you didn’t start sooner.

In this journey, I found wisdom in the pages of “Atomic Habits” by James Clear. He illustrates beautifully that building habits is less about the goal and more about the process. Setting achievable steps with immediate rewards reinforces the process, turning actions into habits. It’s like planting a seed and nurturing it every day. Clear states that a 1% improvement every day leads to a 37 times improvement over a year. The same principle applies to quitting smoking or any other habit you’re looking to break or build.

Imagine a graph where the X-axis represents time, and the Y-axis represents improvement in your habit. Starting from the origin, each day you make a 1% improvement, plotting a point slightly higher than the day before. Over time, this creates an upward curve, visually demonstrating the exponential growth of your efforts. It’s a powerful reminder that small, consistent changes lead to significant results.

Encouragement and Community Support

On this twisty journey from clouds of smoke to clear skies, one thing’s become crystal clear: walking this path is a whole lot easier when you’re not doing it solo. The cheers from your friends, the support from your family, and the unwavering belief from that special someone who’s seen you at your worst and still believes in your best — these are the real MVPs in the battle against smoking.

But imagine, just for a moment, what if this support could stretch even wider? What if we, as a collective force, all rallied together in our quest for a fag-free life? No need for complex setups or tracking systems; just pure, heartfelt support shared through words, encouragement, and the occasional meme that hits right in the feels.

While we might not have a dedicated Google Sheet or forum to log our triumphs and trials, we have something even more powerful: our shared experiences. Whether it’s through social media, a quick text, or a chat over coffee, sharing our stories of struggle and success can be incredibly powerful. It’s about knowing that your journey, with all its ups and downs, might just be the nudge someone else needs to start their own path to quitting.

This journey of quitting smoking, then, becomes less about the individual and more about us as a community. It’s a collective high-five every time someone adds another smoke-free day to their tally, a group hug for those moments when the cravings hit hard, and a shared victory dance for every milestone reached.

So, are you ready to be part of this community of quitters, fighters, and dreamers? Ready to share your story and maybe, just maybe, inspire someone else to take that first step towards a smoke-free life? Let’s not make quitting smoking a solo endeavor. Together, we’re stronger, louder, and unstoppable. Who’s with me?

Conclusion: Live Life Fag Free

And there you have it, my journey from a cloud of smoke to clear skies. It’s been a ride, hasn’t it? From those early days of innocence, through the trials of realization, to finally finding my path to freedom. It’s a story I shared not just to pat myself on the back, but to extend a hand to you, hoping it might light your way too.

Living life fag free isn’t just about giving up a stick of tobacco; it’s about reclaiming your freedom, your health, and the many small joys of life that smoking clouds over. It’s about tasting food like it’s meant to be tasted, enjoying the full bouquet of aromas the world has to offer, and, yes, even mastering the art of potty training without a nicotine crutch.

Remember, it’s never too late to quit. And while the path may be rugged, the destination is worth every step. Every puff not taken is a victory, a whisper of freedom. And with each step, you’re not just moving away from smoking; you’re moving towards a fuller, richer life.

So, here’s to us, the quitters, the warriors, and the dreamers. Here’s to living life fag free. After all, the best time to quit was yesterday; the next best time is now. Are you ready to take the plunge? Trust me, the view from the other side is breathtaking.

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