365 Steps to Health – Series in 6 Languages
Today I want to talk once again about smoking. I’ve mentioned it before – but how do you really get rid of such a stupid habit, or even an addiction?
First of all: If you are struggling with a severe addiction – for example to hard drugs – please seek professional help from an addiction counseling service. But if your situation is similar to mine, it is absolutely worth trying a different approach.
For me, in the end, it was surprisingly simple.
How It All Began
I started smoking when I was about 18. In my environment, people smoked a lot – in the car, when going out, in winter with the windows closed. I was practically a passive smoker before I even picked up a cigarette myself.
The first times don’t actually taste good. In fact, it never really tastes good. And yet you wonder: There must be something to it if so many people do it.
What really happens is a kind of “brainwashing.” You adopt habits from people you like. That’s why: If you have never smoked – please don’t start. And if you have friends who smoke, be especially careful.
The Illusion of Relaxation
Once you have started, it becomes difficult to stop. Some people say, “I’ll just quit,” and they do. For me, it wasn’t that simple.
For a long time, I believed smoking relaxed me. Later I understood: The cigarette doesn’t relieve stress – it creates it. The stress comes from addiction. And the cigarette only removes the withdrawal discomfort that it caused in the first place.
I smoked up to a pack a day, sometimes even more. I had a cough, a scratchy throat, a bad taste in my mouth. I often felt weak, had less air to breathe, and got tired more quickly – when climbing stairs, at work, in everyday life.
And still, while putting out a cigarette, I often thought: “How nice it would be to just quit now.”
The Turning Point
In August 2020, I finally quit. A full year as a non-smoker – and I truly enjoy it.
What helped me was a book that gradually changed my way of thinking. You continue smoking while reading – but consciously. You realize it’s not enjoyment. It’s not something beautiful or special.
In the end, it only takes one moment.
A clear inner decision:
I choose against the cigarette.
I choose a healthy life.
This decision was emotional. Smoking, for me, was connected to summer, the lake, coffee, cake, beautiful moments. All these positive associations were closely tied to the cigarette.
And that is exactly what you have to separate.
The Unfamiliar Feeling
After quitting, there were a few days when everything felt strange. As if you suddenly sat on the “wrong” side of the car – unfamiliar and irritating.
In certain situations you think: “Normally, I would smoke now.”
This feeling is not painful. It’s just new. And it passes.
By the way, I did not gain weight because I quit smoking. I gained a few kilos later in winter due to less movement – but I lost them again.
Freedom Is a Decision
Being smoke-free means freedom.
And in principle, it works similarly with many bad habits.
When I moved into my car, I consciously decided:
I don’t want to sit all day.
I want to move.
I want to hike, walk, live.
My body found its natural weight. I lost over 20 kilos – and I quit smoking.
Those are two huge steps.
Your Body Is Sacred
Our body is the only thing that enables us to live this life. It needs certain things – movement, food, fresh air – and other things harm it.
Nicotine harms.
Alcohol is poison – even in small amounts.
Sugar can also be problematic.
It’s not about perfection. It’s about awareness.
You have this one life.
And even if there were reincarnation – we wouldn’t remember it.
So why not start now?
Why not make a decision today?
For yourself.
Out of self-love.
Because you are worth it.
What Has Been Your Experience?
Which bad habits have you let go of?
How did you do it?
Or what questions do you have for me?
Feel free to write in the comments.
More Inspiration in the Online Magazine
If you would like to explore this topic more deeply, you can find many additional insights on health, freedom from addiction, and conscious life decisions in the online magazine “365 Steps.”
The magazine is available in six languages and supports you step by step in letting go of unhealthy habits.
You can find it in the shop – the link is below.
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