I Have Quit Smoking

I want this post to be as candid as possible. No drama, no rhetoric. I may get in trouble for coming out publicly like this but if this can help anyone, then Imma bring it on.

I have quit smoking.

Yes, it may have only been a more than a month but trust me, I don’t think I’m gonna get back on the habit anytime soon. I officially said buhbye to Nicotine (named after parents, Nicholas and Christine LOL I’m so corny pakshet!!!) last June 16, 2010 and I haven’t had even a single puff since. *cues slow applause*

In fairness to the DOH, their yosi kadiri campaign was effective. I was traumatized as a kid then I became exposed to the real world and realized that Joan Rivers looks scarier.

Before I divulge the reason why I quit, let me first share with you my smoking history. I apologize, dear family members, if you’ll chance upon this blog and randomly die of heart attack once you find out that I once smoked cancer sticks like my life depended on them. Worry not, I’ve ended my affair with the cigarette already so your violent reactions won’t do much. And shut your face. You probably smoked once in your life, too so moving on…

I had my first stick (two, actually. Philip Morris Menthol. Sooo manong of me, huh?) when I was 17. It wasn’t because of peer pressure or anything, as none of my friends smoked back then. Unfortunately, most of them are chimneys now. I tried the stick because like a lot of stupid adolescent kids of that age, I was full of angst! Avril-Lavigne-angst! I was depressed. Ugly. Had an eating disorder. Unrequited love got the best of me. Hell, I even thought black nail polish was cool. So I guess trying out the cigarettes was my way of giving the world a middle finger. (Aren’t you glad I grew up and matured?)

I didn’t pick up the habit immediately, just tried a couple of sticks every six months, until I got to 3rd year in college and started doing a lot of production work. It was just one stick a day, until it became two by the time I graduated. When I started working in media, I slowly became a chain-smoker and didn’t even realize it until people pointed it out. There were times when I won’t even light the cigarette with lighter anymore, just from the left over ember from the previous stick. Many of my office mates smoked back then so environment played a big role in it and maybe, I got addicted to nicotine, too. I’d light a stick when I’m stressed, tired, pressured, hungry or just bored. I couldn’t even drink coffee or or alcohol if I don’t have a cigarette parked between my lips.

“Bitch, please. I’m hardcore. Mess with me and I’ll blow smoke on your face. And then maybe run, after…”

I’m not proud of it but I’m not sorry for doing it either. It was part of my life and my growth and I learned from it. I was a smoker for six years before I decided last June to end it. Why? Because I chose life. Forget about the lung problems, the bad breath and dark gums, the inconvenience it brings to those around you who don’t smoke. I just chose not to anymore, in the same manner that I decided to dye my hair corn-color. Also, after I got sick last May (for something that is not yosi-related fyi) and had to take some meds, I realized that I’ve already reached my quota.

So yes, folks – it can be done. I’m not asking anyone to stop smoking because well, to each his own (and that threaten/holier-than-though technique didn’t work for me, yanno). However, to those who want to but can’t seem to quit, I say it’s all about mindset and decision-making. I don’t care what excuses you may have. Decide then make it happen. Else, it means you just don’t have the balls or the backbone to say “I quit, fuckers!”.

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