Why did I quit
Cliché but it was a moment of just, mind numbing obvious clarity, I was at a club, (high on ecstasy) and reaching for a cigarette when I thought, why am I doing this exactly? I'm not addicted yet but I was just starting to depend on smoking more when it came to times of panic and crisis, as a means to relax.
So I guess, being depended on something made me quit, I didn't find any comfort in the fact I could trick my fear for a short while with tobacco. Plus, why not quit while you're ahead? It was hard enough for me to quit smoking and I really didn't think I did it that much; one pack would last me two weeks to a month. It's actually pretty frightening to me that I even get that much of a pull to cigarettes; I can't imagine how hard it'd be for a pack a day smoker.
How did I quit
Altered my lifestyle a fair bit, I haven’t touched ecstasy and crystal meth in four months (though I don’t think I’m swearing off ecstasy entirely), I don’t go clubbing as much and when I do I tend to stick to the dance floor rather than lounging around (with my smoking friends), having books and my iPod with me while I'm at train / tram / bus stops, that’s where I seem to feel a reliable urge. I have anxiety issues which I've been trying to overcome, acknowledging I was feeling anxious and panicky at times, taking deep breathes through my nose rather than doing the cop out thing, going for a smoke and blocking everything out.
How it affects me today
Here's something; I never noticed that I smelt like cigarettes. I've always carried around sample size perfumes in my bag for when I'm out with friends or at school so I assumed it covered up the smoke scent, apparently it didn't because I've noticed that since I've quit I'm no longer approached by people asking if I have a cigarette.
I still feel the urge to smoke even though now when I smell a hint of cigarette smoke I start feeling nauseous, all quite freaky actually.