Tuesday Thoughts - On quitting smoking...

Ummm... My name is Matejka and I have a confession to make... One that I'm not particularly proud of. I have a smoking "career" for 20 years now (started vey stupidly with only 16). Last months I've been thinking very intensively about quitting that habit... I think I have a guilt trip over my bad habit and I don't even feel joy when I smoke, like I used to before...I wonder if the time has finally come to finally QUIT?

There is not much use of blah-blah-ing about that issue much, but I was wondering what stopped me from doing that before. I figured out that it has become a habit, a certain way of a lifestyle. And NOT very good or healthy one. When I feel nervous, I light up a cigarette... When I feel bored, I light up a cigarette. When I have a lot of work to do, I light up a cigarette. When I go out, I smoke (with or without company for it). It has become daily routine and I don't like the feeling of something (even so trivial) having control over me. I think I might be ready (if one is ever actually ready for anything) to set myself free at last. I don't think it is an easy thing to do, but if you want to see the change in your life in general, you have to become that change you want to see. Right?

So, what does change when person stops to smoke?

I still can't tell you first hand, but hopefully I will soon be able to. This is what should change, coming from people who experienced it (and some common sense):

Lower chance of hearth or lung diseases

That should be a number one reason. We all know smoking harms our health. But, at some point we just become more aware of that fact. I would like to see my grandchildren one day and still be alive and able to play with them. I would like to be there for my son later in life and if you think, but really think about that, you come to a breaking-point.

Better sense of taste

Many people who stop smoking tend to get some weight. But it's easier to loose kilos after then still have cigarettes for lunch and dinner. I've heard many ex-smokers saying that food all of the sudden tasted so better once they've finally quit. Tongue buds just feel the food and drink taste differently and more intense. I can't wait to discover that (I am a gourmand and I love to prepare delicious meals...Maybe they're even tastier that I can tell?).

Better smell

Not only you will smell better, but you will sense scents in a different way. I had this awkward situation with a guy I was seeing who told me I put too much perfume and that is, probably because I can not smell it myself. Felt bad and ashamed at first, but on a second thought, I realise he was right. F**k!

Improved financies

We have to mention that aspect, too. That is an important one, too. I realised I spend from 100 -130 euros a month only for cigarettes. Think of all the other things you can treat yourself with that extra cash. It's like - you're in that self-destructive mode doing yourself bad and paying money for it. Damn!

Lighter hangovers (on going-out nights)

When I go out or hang with my friends and consume some alcohol, I tend to smoke even more (like most of the smokers). The next day, it's not 'just alcohol and dehydration that makes you feel like s**t (do I have to censor myself here?:D), it is the cigarettes you've smoked. You're just of no use the next day (or that just comes with a certain age? :D)

Feeling better in general

Not much need to add anything to this one. You just do. You have more energy, you sleep better, you wake up fresher and you can climb that stairs to your third floor apartment without losing air. Sounds enough for me.

So, don't inhale - exhale ;)

Has the time to quit finally come?

My cousin gave me this electronic cigarette couple of months ago, but I didn't really paid much attention to it. Yesterday I felt so oversmoked that I went to a local store and got some low-nicotine liquids for it to start some sort of transitional phase from a smoker to happily-ever-after non-smoker.

“The truth is that everyone is bored, and devotes himself to cultivating habits.”
― Albert Camus

Are you a smoker, ex-smoker on non-smoker? Have some advice? Please share it with me and thank you for reading!

xoxo,

M.

Thank you Pixabay for free photos, you rock!