Confession to Clients, Colleagues, Friends & Strangers – For the last 8 Years I Have Smoked Between 10 and 30 Cigarettes per Day

I’m telling you this, because last Saturday night I consumed the last tobacco product that I will ever bring into my body for the rest of my life, I know that this is much easier said than done.

I began smoking at the tender age of 18.  A lot of my friends were doing it.  I noticed a lot of people smoking infrequently at parties, just once in a while, or only with friends.  I learned that these people were called ‘social smokers’ and I decided to become one of them.

Before I knew it, I was trapped.  I was buying a pack of cigarettes every day.  I was smoking in the morning, before bed, in the car, with friends, in restaurants, and virtually everywhere else.

I told myself that once I graduated from college I would ‘grow-up’ and leave the habit behind me.  However, I started working in the high-pressure sales business and convinced myself that I would ‘lose my competitive edge’ if I was constantly having nicotine fits.

My next milestone was marriage.  I was absolutely determined to be a non-smoker before I committed to another person for the rest of my life.  Unfortunately, I found that preparing for a wedding was a bit stressful and that cigarettes were a wonderful way to ease the tension.

I suppose I could just keep on rationalizing forever.  I could tell myself that I should quit before I have my first child or perhaps before I retire.

Fortunately, I’ve decided that this is the end.  I’m tired of poisoning my body, wasting money, being smelly (smelly breath, smelly clothes, really smelly car… I can’t take a client for a ride in my car because it reeks of smoke), and standing out in the cold to get my fix in the winter.

Why am I announcing this to the world?

I’m letting you all in on this, because I want everyone to know that I’ve quit for good.  I figure that once everyone knows I’ll look (and feel) pretty foolish standing outside in the cold puffing on a death stick.

One thing I’ve learned is to use your assets.  This blog goes out to virtually everyone I know and everyone who knows me.  There is no way I can hide.  Once I hit ‘publish’ this is out there forever.  I can never go back, and that’s the way I want it.

I’ve been smoke free for 46 hours now.  There have definitely been a few tough moments, but I am holding myself accountable to making this change and I’m not letting anything stop me.