Steemit Engagement Challenge Season 8 Week 3: Smoking Kills

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Hi,

Growing up in a small town in Connecticut was boring for the most part. There was nothing to do except go to school, hang out with his friends, and watch TV. I felt like I was missing out on something exciting and adventurous. I wanted to escape a dull life and see the world.

That's why I started smoking when I was around 18. I thought it made me look cool and rebellious. I liked the way it made me feel so relaxed and confident. I didn't care about the health risks or the cost. I just wanted to have some fun and fit in with his peers.

But soon, smoking became an addiction for me. I couldn't go a day without lighting up a cigarette. I smoked before school, after school, during lunch break, and at night. I smoked in his room, in the bathroom, in the park, and in the alley. I smoked whenever I felt stressed, bored, angry, or sad.

OMG, I smoked so much that he developed a nasty cough and a sore throat often. I smelled like an ashtray.

After about 10 years, I realized that smoking was not fun anymore, getting sick always, and coughing. It was ruining my life and future. I tried to cut down but always gave in to my cravings. I sort of felt hopeless and ashamed.

One day, after recovering from a terrible sickness due to smoking, I was over it... the first month was hard, the second easier, then the next better, and soon my health got better, my lungs got better, and I was, in a lot of ways, able to breathe again and had more strength.

Still, when I am out at a club, I see someone smoking, and I think about doing it again, the feeling, the joy, but then I think of my health, the nighttime having issues breathing, and I say no.

Smoking kills, it's a hard addiction to quit, but you CAN do it! It's about wanting to make that change happen inside you and then acting on it.

Cheers, and good luck with your new health!