77,
I'm glad you decided against that quit date nonsense. We've had an influx of people lately who set a date, then disappear, never to be heard from again. But enough about them. Let's talk about you!
You're right! Most of us have a similar story. You're tired of ground leaves in a can dictating how you spend your time, your money, and your life. That's a fine reason to quit in my book.
You have some rough days ahead. I won't lie - it's hard, man, just like anything else in life that's worth doing. But I've yet to meet the person who has regretted quitting. Hang in there, constantly drink water, read everything you can, and get some exercise. Even just simply walking will help. It'll be a fight, but if you're determined to win, you will.