The main thing this site has taught me is the reality of smoking, how it is purely a mechanism for maintaining nicotine dependence, and it is not a romantic, elegant or sophisticated action. The support that one can receive here is more than an education. It is about implementing a comprehensive plan to ensure success. My motivation was to show that I could put my best foot forward when I pledged my freedom on this site two-hundred days ago.
I cannot imagine a situation in which I would resort to smoking cigarettes anymore! It is simply out of the question. I enjoy sharing my experience because it is a serious achievement for me. There is real value in the experience. I also enjoy seeing members of this site succeed in their goals.
This community site evidences that there is no one method that works for everyone, but that every individual has the potential to overcome dependence. Passing time under duress requires patience. Sweating out the hard parts is not easy, but the reward that comes is worth it. The long-term gains swiftly outweigh the short-term inconvenience that one might experience. There are methods for making it an easier experience. Ask yourself how important this goal is and the answer will determine the effort you will undertake to achieve it.
Believe in yourself and you can do this. Take a step back from the life you had been leading as a smoker and ask yourself if that is the lifestyle you would like to lead for the rest of your life. There has to be an end to smoking sometime, and better that it happen sooner rather than later. When you pledge twenty-four hours of freedom for yourself, be true unto yourself and to those to whom you have made the pledge.
You won't regret it.
-John C.
p.s. This is my last major milestone before I start to near a yearlong of freedom from tobacco. It feels like it will be a long haul– 165 more days. But, it is a good feeling to break free from counting the days since much of it has felt like a numbers game. Now I'd like to think of one number: 100% smoke-free. 24/7/365
