A cigarette in my hand - My life after smoking

It was somewhere around 11 or 12 of July in the year 2013, when I suddenly decided to quit smoking.

After smoking for more than 15 years, cigarette was pretty much part of my life. Most of my daily routine revolved around it. The habit of lighting a cigarette after food, with tea-coffee and most importantly during #2 was followed ritualistically. I can surely say that smokers have a religion and they have common rituals followed by each and every one of them. These rituals exist and are followed without the existence of any prophet or a book. Most interesting part is the strict adherence to it by all the smokers!

The Problem: Excess of anything is bad and when it is excess of cigarette or tobacco, the bad soon turns into worse. Nicotine is not evil, in fact it has various therapeutic uses and is useful in treating Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. The evil lies in how it reaches in our bloodstream.

The Lungs: Our lungs filter out all the smoke and let nicotine join the bloodstream. Constant smoking leaves tar all along the way and deposits most of it in the lungs. During our sleep our lungs try to get rid of the tar, by pushing it into the stomach through ciliary movement. But with aging, it certainly can't deal with the excessive collection of tar on it and soon its unable to clear it completely and we have beginning of issues which end up taking our lives. 

The Result: Varies from person to person. Coughing is bad. In my case, I developed breathing difficulties. Cancer is not uncommon, but before that coughing itself feels like taking the life away. Smoker's have poor recovery after many operations.

After Quitting: I did it the Cold Turkey way - Abruptly and suddenly quitting smoking is called cold turkey. I was miserable:

1. My breaks vanished.

2. I spent more time sitting.

3. Strong desire to restart it.

4. Emptiness.

5. Dreams of smoking - I would wake up feeling bad.

After quitting:

1. Once I managed the week, I knew I was not going back on it.

2. Stronger willpower at display.

3. More money in my pocket!

My motivation:

1. I always reminded myself of the poor quality of cigarettes and they're not worth falling in love all over again.

2. A hope for a life where I can breath in easily.

3. I can laugh, hoot, sing, play flute & harmonica without coughing.

4. Saving a good amount of money.

What I gained after quitting: It will be 6 years this July since I quit smoking. I am breathing better. No coughing. I can sing high pitch songs without coughing. And yes I have some more money :)

What I miss after quitting: Needless to say along the way I met some wonderful souls and made some wonderful connect with them. I doubt I will meet any more of them.

Today is celebrated as world "No Tobacco Day". My advice to you is, if you are planning to quit it, quit it cold turkey. After all, it is the most successful way of quitting.

Quit smoking, save yourself and save the environment!