I Smoke 7,300 Cigarettes a Year

That’s a lot of cigarettes!

I’ve only started smoking in the past couple years, as a way to cope with trauma and anxiety.

Now I’m captivated by the pull of a fresh cigarette. When I’m out of smokes, I feel it. Hurried, I rush out to buy my next pack.

I recently quit smoking for two weeks, only to go back to the habit.

I couldn’t handle the stress anymore.

I know, there are plenty of better ways to cope with anxiety and stress. I could try yoga, or do deep breathing.

Instead, I pull on my cigarette.

I know I have to quit. Not because it’s bad for my health, but because I can’t afford this habit.

A pack a day equals $300 a month, straight out of my pocket.

I’m on a fixed income and can no longer justify the expense.

I have to quit, and I have to quit soon.

But for now, I will savor each smoke, each pull deep into my lungs, knowing soon I will be a non-smoker. Or at least, an occasional smoker.

Will I go about bumming cigarettes instead of buying packs? That I don’t know.

Anything is possible.

Right now I have a fresh pack. $10 bucks came directly out of my bank account.

What will I do with the extra $300 a month that comes with quitting smoking?

I have goals, and dreams, that I am working towards.

At this point in time, it’s either smoke cigarettes, or save for the future.

I choose my future, over cigarettes.

Not to mention the health benefits that come from quitting.

I need to create a healthy list of habits. I will exercise every day, for at least five minutes.

I will continue my daily walk, but without smoking.

When exactly will I quit?

That’s a good question.

I know it’s coming soon.

One moment. I need a cigarette break.

I smoke American Spirits.

They are more expensive than most, but I justify the cost. It’s only tobacco and water. No filler ingredients. No crazy chemicals.

Just tobacco. And water.

As if it were better for my health. Maybe it is. Maybe it isn’t.

All I know is I don’t have many packs left in me. So I cherish each smoke.

I’ve quit cold turkey before, several times. Always to run right back when times got tough.

Smoking cigarettes, my crutch.

I need to learn to cope with life without a smoke.

I’ve decided I’m quitting.

I will take things one day at a time.

I’m not going to try to wean myself off of them. That would be pure torture.

I have to completely quit. Cold turkey. No patch.

I know I can do it. Because I’ve done it before.

As for now, I’m enjoying this fresh pack. I smoke to escape from boredom, along with anxiety, and stress.

It’s not uncommon for me to smoke six cigarettes before 10AM.

I start my first smoke minutes after waking up.

My last smoke is minutes before I hit the pillow for the night.

I count the days and times in cigarettes smoked.

And when I’m a few cigarettes from being out, I savor the smoked even more. Knowing, I have to head over to the corner store to buy some more.

I smoke 7,300 cigarettes a Year. How many do you smoke? Do you want to quit too?

Is it for health reasons?

Or, the rising cost of cigarettes?

Whatever the reason, I hope you reach your goal too. Maybe we both can lay cigarettes down, and pick up healthy habits.

I’ll see you on the yoga mat, or at the gym, or out for a long walk.

As for me now, just one more smoke...