Hey there, fellow warriors on the quit-smoking battlefield!

Let’s get real for a moment—I’ve always had a love-hate relationship with smoking. Who doesn’t appreciate a little “me time” with a cigarette at the end of a long day? It’s like having a tiny, albeit toxic, sidekick to help you escape for just a moment, right? But deep down, I always felt the weight of shame for lighting up. Cigarettes smell awful, and let’s be honest, they taste like a campfire wrapped in disappointment!

After successfully quitting for years—a time when I proudly basked in my smoke-free glow—I fell back into old habits when life threw me a curveball (cue dramatic music). Stress became my unwelcome companion, nudging me back to that familiar crutch. Ironically, all this stress came from quitting my job to create more balance and start a dream company. Then everything came crashing down: my mom was diagnosed with stage 4 terminal bone cancer, my long-term relationship ended, and within the same year, my sister was diagnosed with stage 4 breast, liver, and lymph node cancer. To top it off, I knew cancer was in our genes—my dad passed away at 62 from it.

So there I was, trying to cope with it all, and what did I do? I grabbed a cigarette. Really, it happened just like that. If you think you’re alone in feeling shame or guilt for giving in to a craving, don’t. Think of me and my bonehead move. Be easy on yourself. Beating yourself up won’t change the past. Instead, learn from it. As an NHL coach once said, “If we’re not winning, we’re learning.” That advice helped me see things realistically and kept my fight-or-flight response in check.

Then came the wake-up call. After battling COVID and pneumonia—and enduring two rounds of antibiotics that made me feel like a science experiment gone wrong—I had to do some serious soul-searching. With asthma as my constant reminder, I couldn’t help but ask, “What am I doing to myself?”

Here’s the twist: instead of running from cravings like a kid from a spider, I decided to lean in. That’s right! I started talking to my cravings, asking, “Why now?” When that little devil whispered, “The storm is coming, and you’re too weak to make it,” I turned, looked it in the eye, and said, “I AM THE STORM!” Just like that, the craving faded. It felt like a therapy session between me and my urge to smoke—a shift from seeing cravings as villains to understanding them as misunderstood parts of my story.

I even picked up a new hobby—talking to my cravings! Sounds wild, doesn’t it? I hang out with them, probe their motivations, and remind myself that not giving in won’t send me to an early grave. Spoiler alert: I’m down to just a few cigarettes a day. It’s like watching an enemy slowly pack up and leave my life. Who’s smiling now?

To fight the “dirty craving monster,” I keep myself busy. When cravings creep in, I crush a glass of water with lemon—it’s oddly invigorating. I’ve also started journaling. Yes, journaling! If you’re not doing it, you should—all the cool kids are. Journaling keeps me grounded, and honestly, it makes me feel younger. The smoke-free life really does roll back the years!

Here’s a victory: I went from a pack a day to 2-3 cigarettes within a month. My energy is rising, my mind is clearer, and I can see a brighter future. My wallet is getting thicker (hello, saved cash!), and I can finally smell how bad smoke really is—who knew that was a superpower?

If you’re battling cravings, remember: you’re not alone on this rollercoaster. You are THE STORM, too! Lean into it, embrace the journey, and celebrate every small victory. Laughter makes the ride more fun.

Here’s a fun challenge: try smiling for no reason. It’s wild how it shifts your mood. These little discoveries make the healing journey worthwhile.

The moral of my story? Don’t feel bad about where you are right now. Just be you, listen to yourself, and take each step for you. You GOT THIS!

Here’s to freedom, clarity, and a smoke-free life ahead!

With warmth and a dash of humour,

Your Pal,
Leon