Breaking Free: My Journey to Quit Smoking and Drinking

Today, I want to share my journey of quitting smoking and drinking alcohol. How did I achieve it? What challenges did I face along the way? What benefits did I notice? And how did my friends react? Let’s dive in.

The Purpose

Initially, I had tried to quit smoking by replacing it with vaping, as it was an alternative way to manage nicotine cravings. However, vaping didn’t work out either. It wasn’t feasible for me as a sole user because the consumption rate was high, and buying refillable vapes wasn’t appealing—I had planned to quit using them entirely. Disposable vapes were costly, ranging from NPR 2,500 to NPR 4,500, depending on the number of puffs. Once the battery died, I found myself returning to smoking. Life went back to the same cycle of smoking and drinking. Although I didn’t consider quitting in the near future, I kept reminding myself that I had successfully stopped smoking for two months previously. That thought lingered in my mind.

A Turning Point

I have always been an active person, interested in sports and fitness. My friends suggested joining a gym as an alternative, saying it would help me build confidence by getting fit and healthy. Around the same time, I had a deep conversation with a friend about avoiding habits like smoking, drinking, or indulging in activities influenced by external substances. This discussion sparked something in me: Why was I smoking? What was I gaining from it? Was this my ultimate goal? Was I drinking alcohol, or was alcohol consuming me? Was I smoking cigarettes, or were they smoking my life?

Meeting a Source of Positivity

After returning from a vacation, I met someone who became a source of positive energy in my life. Initially, she wasn’t aware of my smoking and drinking habits, but eventually, I opened up and confessed that I smoked and drank casually. Her reaction was profound. She mentioned that she disliked smokers and wasn’t particularly concerned about drinking, but smoking was a deal-breaker for her. She is an innocent person, largely unaware of how the outer world works, living a simple, confined life. Her honesty and concern made me reflect deeply. She asked me to quit smoking, but given my long history with it and the influence of friends who also smoked, it was challenging. However, I began reducing my frequency and was honest with her whenever I smoked.

Building the Chain of Good Habits

During this period, I also joined a gym and started noticing the power of building healthy habits. I came across an Indian podcast discussing how habits form a chain and lead to a healthier lifestyle. This insight helped me during the transition. I also watched a clip from the Sanjay Silwal podcast where he said: "If I had known how harmful cigarettes truly are, I would never have smoked them!" His younger self would have dismissed the harm, thinking it was cool to smoke. To ease my transition, I isolated myself from unnecessary social interactions. My routine consisted of gym sessions in the morning, work during the day, and evening walks. This minimalistic approach helped me focus on my goal.

Friends’ Reactions

Reactions from my friends varied:

• Some were amazed that I had quit smoking.
• Some didn’t believe I had stopped.
• Some joked about it, saying I wouldn’t last.
• Others thought I had fallen in love, leaving my bad habits behind.
• A few assumed I was saving money by avoiding these habits.

Lessons Learned and Final Thoughts

Breaking free from bad habits isn’t easy, but it’s entirely possible with internal motivation and external accountability. Finding someone or something that inspires you to change can make a huge difference. Building healthy habits, like exercising regularly, is crucial. It takes about 21 days to form a habit, and once you’ve built a chain of good habits, you’ll naturally start distinguishing between what’s good and bad for your health. I encourage everyone trying to quit smoking or drinking to focus on forming positive habits and finding a motivator who holds you accountable. Breaking free is a journey, but it’s one that leads to a healthier and happier life.