Quit date: 05/11/2023
12 months smoke free: 05/11/2024
I decided to celebrate being smoke free for a year by returning to the stop smoking group so I could meet the new members and catch up with the advisors. For me, it’s a real achievement to be able to come back to the group, speak in person and let them know how I’ve coped since quitting and how I’ve changed in the past 12 months for the better.
I still don’t like to say I’m a non-smoker, but I can say I’ve not smoked since the 5th of November 2023! I’ve got this notion that until I’m at least five years smoke free, I’m just not smoking at this moment in time, though this way of thinking might change in another year!
Like most ex-smokers, you look back at all the years you smoked and ask yourself why didn’t I stop sooner? For me, it took 50 years before I came to the decision that enough is enough and I reached out for support.
I wouldn’t say I’ve saved a great deal of money since stopping smoking, but my standard of living has improved. Since putting down the cigarettes, I’ve noticed my money goes that bit further, allowing me to improve my quality of life.
As a smoker, you always find the money for cigarettes, even when times are hard but now, as a non-smoker just getting by, I can’t think where I would find the money to smoke without adversely affecting my quality of living.
I hope to return to the group in another 12 months to update my story.
