After having smoked cigarettes for more than 40 years, and having tried to quit countless times, today (3/5/2020) I am on Day 13 minus nicotine. At the start of the lockdown I knew that the day would arrive when I would wake up to find that my cigarette stash was completely depleted, with no option to buy more. I had stretched my supplies so that they could last longer, and with each passing day I was smoking less to make them last as long as possible. It hasn't been easy to break a 40+ year addiction, and my many failed attempts have been very disheartening. This time though, I handled it differently than before. I roped in family and friends for advice and support, and they have been an amazing source of strength and resilience. I am practising mindfulness, meditation and slow, conscious breathing, and these tools are proving to be very helpful, as are some herbal and homeopathic aids.​
I have calculated that by the end of one year, quitting smoking would have saved me R9600.00, which I plan to spend on a trip to Greece. I’m also finding that food tastes better, and that my skin is clearer and noticeably less sallow. I realize now how counterproductive it has been to smoke and simultaneously spend money on good quality skin care products! The benefit I am appreciating the most though, is the simple release and mental freedom from the daily practice of smoking - tobacco no longer controls me.
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I know that it's early days yet, and that I will always have to be alert to the triggers that may lead me to light up once more. But as each tobacco-free day passes, my confidence is increasing that this time, partly because of the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, I really am going to kick this ghastly habit for good. Already this is my longest tobacco-free period in more than 40 years; I was advised that the cravings will ease with time, and they are. This lockdown journey has taught us all so many lessons about resilience and perseverance, and I also credit it with my ability to look forward to the next part of my journey, including that trip to Greece, minus nicotine.
