The Weight of Goodbye: Quit Smoking

I quit smoking on January 30, 2023. I chose this date because I had failed several times before using the traditional “New Year’s Resolution” approach. Each time I attempted to quit as part of a resolution, I found excuses to go back to smoking. One of the most ridiculous reasons was smoking to spite myself. Even now, thinking about how absurd that sounds makes me laugh, but it was true.

The last time I quit before this was in 2020, during the pandemic. That attempt lasted about six months—until the worst day of my life happened. In the aftermath, all I could do was smoke. I smoked more during the next year than I ever had before. Being laid off from work at the time, smoking wasn’t the best choice, but it felt non-negotiable to me in those moments.

Eventually, I turned to the book Easy Way to Stop Smoking by Allen Carr. I read the paperback once and listened to the audiobook repeatedly. It took time to fully wrap my head around the idea that smoking wasn’t helping me at all. Understanding that was another small but significant step toward healing. 

When January 2023 rolled around, I knew something had to change. I couldn’t keep living the way I was. The coughing and hacking away, the gross phlegm all the time, the brutal attack on my asthma smoking was having, and of course the expense. So, I made a plan to quit smoking. This time, I told myself it wasn’t a resolution. Instead, I gave myself 30 days to create a realistic quit plan. I reflected on what had gone wrong in the past and committed to approaching it differently this time.

During this planning and quitting period, I learned a few important lessons. One of the most profound realizations was that the human mind is an incredible force. With determination, it is possible to overcome even deeply ingrained addictions, even while grieving. Quitting smoking wasn’t just about breaking a habit; it became a step toward regaining control over my life and moving forward in my healing journey.

Allen Carr's "Easy Way to Stop Smoking"

Canadian Version Paperback - https://amzn.to/4i6knaA. US Version Paperback - https://amzn.to/3XzRhbn. Audible Version - https://amzn.to/3Dcegm7.

#boldstepsforward #quitsmoking #missmyson #griefjourney

Jan 30, 2023