As I get ready to step into day 595 I can't help but reflect for a moment. My life has improved in a lot of ways. During the early stages of my quit I only focused on not using nicotine. Over the past few months I have further improved my health. I have replaced soft drinks with water, and have cut out fast food almost completely. I have been exercising regularly as well. Quitting nicotine has saved me money, immense amounts of time, and my health. My mouth appears as if I never dipped. I have saved roughly $800 (dip is very cheap in Virginia). My health insurance premiums were cut in half saving an additional $408 per year. I'm in my 20's but my blood pressure and heart rate have dropped (blood pressure was running high, due mainly to genetics). How can I even quantify all the time saved? The extra time playing with my child. The value of setting a proper example. This was the way my life was supposed to be lived.
I'm excited to cross the 2 year threshold. I'm very excited to approach a coma. But with all of that excitement in mind, I know that I am just one poor decision away from starting over. I'm never tempted to use. I always keep KTC in mind. I know that there are so many people fighting each and every second of each and every day trying not to cave, I can't help but think, I should be here to help them through that phase, not end up struggling along side them because of a poor decision. My role in the quit journey is to support others at this point, not to disappoint anyone. If you are reading this and you are struggling with quitting, know that it gets better. I don't just mean that you will improve. I mean that you will genuinely be better off in every way. Keep the faith that there will come a time when you are truly free and you can move forward with your life.
