I started smoking when I was only eighteen years old. It was an unexpected moment that drew me towards smoking at such a young age. I passed the driving exam. I went out with my best friends that night to celebrate this accomplishment. I smoked my first cigarette that evening.
One thing led to the other and quickly i was addicted. I was very aware of the health consequences that awaited me if I did not stop at the right time.
My First Try
A couple of years later I made my first attempt to quit smoking with a nicotine chewing gum. During the first attempt I felt terrible. I got wild, uncontrolled and hyperactive. Understandably, my first attempt to quit smoking was a disaster. No problem. I kept on smoking.
The Second Time i Quit
A couple years later I got the chance to work in the insane country of Brazil. The plane journey used to be a grueling 11 hours. The need for a cigarette was terrible each plane journey that I took. I wanted to disable this emotion by quitting smoking for good. I knew achieving this would have helped me immensely to relax during my flights.
The conditions around me were extremely difficult. I had people who smoked all around me and to top it up cigarettes in Brazil are very cheap. I got control over it, invoked the fighter from within and quit.
The Initial Week
For sure, insanity happende to me again and I became overactive and uncontrollable during the first week. I cut off all my hair, During the workweek i went out clubbing till late. I started to eat corn flakes in the morning. The first cigarette of the day is the best(BTW THIS IS A GOOD TIP – Replace one habit with another).
In my opinion , the first smoke in the morning is the best one of the entire day. Breaking this habit now became my biggest challenge.
Yes, it did work out quite well initially. I did not smoke anymore and never felt the need for a cigarette. I started to travel the 11 hours without any problems.
Beat the Time Blocks
I figured out that there are mental ‘time blocks’ that you need to overcome when you are in the process of Quitting.I name it the blocks of three. You need to pass every time block. Every time block is a goal by itself and a substantial psychological stimulation. Every time you accomplish a time block buy something for your sefl. Buy a Pizza, waste money on a hobby, do everything you like but do not buy beer or any other alcoholic product.
What are the blocks?
First block is 3 hours after you wake up. (When your last smoke was the day before)
Second block is 3 day parts. (i.e. morning, afternoon and night) Getting too sleep is not hard. And during the night you don`t feel anything.
The third block is passing 3 days.It is not the hardest part as your battle is still at the beginning
Fourth block is 1 week (the only one that is not with 3) but psychologically a big stimulator. Just imagine: Entire week goes by and no smoking WOW!
Fifth block is 3 weeks period.
The sixth block is to pass 3 months.
If you manage to survive till the 5th block you are a star. The worst part is over.
Unfortunatly I started to smoke again when i was back in Brazil. I was being stupid. Wasted a huge amount of energy.
Quitting is a Lone Battle
You are alone when you decide to quit. Your smoking buddies are hoping you fail. People that do not smoke don`t know what you are feeling. This means that you are all alone with yourself and the constant urge.
My Rescuer
When I tried stopping for the third time it was my wife’s 25th birthday.
I read that 70% of people who quit smoking with some nicotine alternatives became real non smokers
I figured out where to buy electronic cigarettes
My decision to help me decrease the nicotine amount worked out. This type of cigarette gave me the nicotine that I had became addicted to and helped me immensely with my decision. The cigarettes helps you decrease the amount of nicotine over time which is great to calm you down.
The Process
I used electronic cigarettes for 2 months while beating the time blocks, giving myself nice presents with every success. After 1 month I decreased the daily amount of electric cigarettes. I adjusted the amount of nicotine every day a little less and was content with only one a day.
The first week was a difficult period for me. I used to feel dizzy while working but on reaching home I used to feel better. Gradually this condition improved for the good and I no longer felt a slave of a cigarette.
Till today, there is no urge or need to smoke again. If I knew quit smoking was that hard i would never start it initialy. Smoking does not make sense at all There is just no gain. Not emotionally, financially, physically or socially. In fact, these are all areas that get hampered with your decision to smoke.
Conclusion
1. Use time periods and try to beat them.
2. If you are wondering are electronic cigarettes safe, the answer is an emphatic ‘yes’. These are an alternative type of nicotine that helps keep your mind calm .
3. Reward yourself on every success.
4. Never ever listen to people around you if they can`t help they are useless for you. You are alone in this battle.
5. You have no gain or profit or a better perspective from smoking.
If you think are electronic cigarettes safe? Yes they are.