Well today is day 1. As I learn my way around this site and the community, I must admit I have been a watcher/reader for several years. Just never a member. I just haven't ever been able to pull the trigger or muster the courage. Countless times I have thrown away the last tin, only to buy another the next day. I am done and want to be done. So for that I have joined and am posting. I am too smart and have too much going for myself to continue down a road that leads to premature death.
I have chewed since I was 17. I got started in high school as an athlete and continued on through college with sports teams. Long days, long practices, always accompanied by my buddy chew. I always told myself I would quit once I got out of college and sports were no longer a part of my daily routine.
After graduating college, I found long drives for work, weekends of golf and fishing, hitting the bars with friends, and late nights of online poker. Each one of these activities always had to be accompanied by my buddy chew. I always told myself I would quit once I got married and the late nights died down.
Then I got married, and found hanging in the garage, late night rides, or sleeping on the couch. Each one of these always had to be accompanied by my buddy chew. I always told myself I would quit once I had kids.
Then I had two wonderful children, and found hurrying through bedtime stories, taking walks outside, trips to the store, and sleep. Each of these always had to be accompanied by my buddy chew.
I am sick of making excuses for chew and trying to hide behind the idea that I am young so therefore it is okay. I have chewed 16 years. Almost half of my life. And it stops now. Even as I type this, my brain has the chew fog which makes it tough to connect thoughts and easy to come up with excuses for why I should put off quitting. This time I am not going to listen. This time I am going to quit. This time I am going to be free.