 I recently did something I thought I could not do. I did something that even if I just thought about doing it, it would stress me out. I did something that I never really wanted to, but always knew I should. I finally quit smoking. I, just like many smokers, wanted to quit for a while, but always put it off. Just thinking about quitting and not having my pack of cigarettes to turn to whenever I was stressed, made me light up. I would tell myself I would first cut down to only a few cigarettes a day and then I would quit. This would momentarily appease my thought of quitting until I no longer had the willpower to do so. After learning my dad had lung cancer as a result of smoking for the last forty years, there was no better time than the present. Quitting would never get any easier, nor would I ever really want to quit. This habit was essentially a death sentence and giving it up would be the best thing I could do for myself. May 23rd at 5p.m. I smoked my final cigarette. I was originally only quitting in order to support my dad. Then it sunk in, in 30 years I could be the one who has cancer. I made up my mind, I was going to be a non-smoker from that moment forward, no matter how hard quitting would be, I would do it. I would do it for my health and my future. It is indeed true what they say about the first 72 hours; they are absolute hell. All you seem to think about is cigarettes and all of the positive associations you may have with them. You tell yourself that one will not hurt and as long as you are trying that's what counts. Having one is giving in though! Do not let your cravings control you! They will soon enough go away for the most part. As a smoker, your entire daily routine revolves around smoking. You plan out the next time you will be able to slip outside for a quick smoke break. Or the next time you will be able to take a break at work and catch a few puffs. The harsh reality of smoking is that it is terrible for you! Not only is it bad for your health, but it is bad for your wallet. Smoking 1 pack a day that costs $6.25 a pack is roughly $2,300 a year. That is a very significant amount of money. Being a smoker is easy. Being a smoker gives you a way to relieve your stress or easily entertain yourself. Smoking day after day and year after year makes you weak though. It forces you to miss moments with friends and family because you needed to take a break to catch a cigarette. It makes your mind constantly be consumed with figuring out the next moment you will be able to smoke. My words of advice after quitting are to do it cold turkey. Throw away all of the cigarettes you have and tell yourself you will not buy more. Have your boyfriend or girlfriend, mom or dad, brother or sister, pretty much anyone you know, help you quit by offering encouragement through the really tough times where you cannot think of anything other than a cigarette. Download an app on your phone that will track your progress and look at it anytime a craving is strong and you are considering giving in. Go for a walk whenever you are really stressed or frustrated. Pick up a new hobby that will help keep your mind off of smoking. Smoking is only killing you, remember that every time you light up. I smoked for years and ignored that fact the entire time. Hopefully at some point, every single smoker comes to this realization and can give up this horrible habit. 
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