Ever wanted to quit smoking but found it tough to do so? I was there too. My usual excuse was stress and the need for some form of relief. Or sometimes I felt I needed to socialize with my bosses who shared the same habit. But if you're considering quitting due to rising costs from the recent announced budget, let me share my journey with you.
The first time I tried to quit smoking was when I was 22 years old. I started smoking at a young age of 19 due to hanging out with the wrong crowd, and my dad was a smoker as well. I thought then, what's the harm? But, I managed to kick that habit for three years! Then came my first job at a bank, and that disgusting habit started again and went on until I was 33.
So, what helped me, you may wonder? I'm going to break it down, hoping that it will help you as well.
Identify personal motivation: My identity played a significant role. My son Atticus was born, thanks to my lovely wife. I became a father, and with that thought, the motivation to quit came rather easily.
Take advantage of opportunities: An opportunity presented itself when I was down with the flu. I wanted to recover faster because I didn't want to pass the virus on to my infant child. Smoking worsens flu symptoms, making it harder to recover. I stopped smoking for a week to quicken the recovery, and because I managed to do so, I asked myself, "Why not just quit?"
Eliminate triggers: I wanted to go big instead of starting small. So, I had to avoid any possible triggers that may bring about my urge to smoke again. That means throwing away any unopened stocks I had at home, disposing of all lighters, avoiding colleagues who smoke, and stopping visits to convenience stalls that always have that large range of cigarettes displayed at the counter. Any time I noticed a smoker in my path, I deliberately took a longer route to avoid them. Smoking areas in my sight? I always looked away.
In addition, I found that rewarding myself helped make quitting more enjoyable! I reminded myself of the savings I made every week since I used to smoke four packs. Today, that would have cost me $60 a week, or $300 a month. I treated myself to a nice meal or a small gift after every week of not smoking. As time went by, I started to notice the benefits of quitting smoking, such as the taste of food, improved breathing during workouts, and increased savings that I could use on more meaningful items such as diapers, milk, and groceries.
We all experience stress at work every day, but if you're keen to quit due to rising costs, I hope this article provides you with some helpful tips. Remember, quitting smoking is tough, but it is possible. Take it one step at a time, avoid triggers, and reward yourself along the way. You got this!
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