Oops! I did it again!

I just quit smoking cigarettes for the zillionth time. I can’t stand it!

The Final Quit

Make that zillionth and last – I can’t go through this again. The decision is firm, but the journey is anything but easy.

Anticipating the Challenge

I know what it is like. I know exactly what to expect. Each time I stop smoking cigarettes, a familiar pattern unfolds: my mood dips and my irritability spikes. Words like cranky, fractious, and peevish become understatements. Yet, there’s a strange comfort in knowing what’s coming.

It’s the predictability of the struggle that strengthens my resolve.

The Turbulence of Withdrawal

Sleep becomes a battleground in those initial nights, elusive and fitful. Yet, this struggle gives way to a deeper, more replenishing sleep than I’ve ever experienced as a smoker.

Waking up becomes surprisingly pleasant. For the first time in years, I take a deep breath—deeper than any I could draw while smoking—without a hint of rasping or wheezing.

In these moments, my right arm’s automatic reach for a cigarette ends in a deeper gasp and a startled reminder: “Oh no! I stopped smoking again!”

Changing Routines

Quitting smoking alters daily rituals. My morning coffee, once a companion to cigarettes, now triggers cravings. Reluctantly, I decide to abstain from coffee temporarily to break this association. As I make my last cup, I realize it’s a small sacrifice for a greater gain. I tell myself I’ll enjoy it again in a week, untainted by smoke.

The First of Many Benefits

The aroma of that last cup of coffee lingers longer now that it’s not masked by cigarette smoke. This sensory change marks the beginning of many benefits.

The absence of smoke allows the true fragrance of coffee to fill the room, enhancing my appreciation for the simple pleasures.

Life’s Extension

This shift leads to a more profound benefit: a longer life. Every smoke-free moment potentially extends my time with loved ones and increases the opportunities to experience life’s joys and challenges. You live longer. It’s a straightforward yet profound realization that motivates me to persist.

This is, undoubtedly, the biggest benefit anyone can receive from quitting smoking. More time with the ones you love, and more time to engage with the world in meaningful ways.

It’s a gift that keeps on giving, long after the initial discomfort subsides.