I vaped for almost four years before I took my last puff. I was ready for change. Vaping had too much control over my mind; whenever stress or anxiety hit, my vape was my first choice for comfort. My body is my home, a sanctuary deserving care since I’ll be living in it for the rest of my life. Quitting is tough, and everyone knows that, but it’s worth it.
Objective
- To be present
- To have better health
- To not be controlled by addiction
- To rediscover passions and be more productive
- To improve cognitive health
To Be Present
One of the benefits of quitting vaping is how much more present I am in my daily life. I no longer find myself preoccupied with when I can hit my vape, whether I’m at a restaurant, spending time with loved ones, or in class. Each time I vaped, a surge of “feel-good” chemicals gave me a quick burst of energy and pleasure, but this would soon give way to a drop in my dopamine levels, causing me to lose focus.
To Have Better Health
I don’t know about you, but I want to be the healthiest and fittest I’ve ever been this year. However, it’s difficult when I find myself out of breath after running just a quarter of a mile! Before I gave up, that was my wake-up call. I’m too young to struggle with physical activity or to have difficulty breathing! After one month of effort, I could see a drastic improvement in my endurance, not to mention that I also have more energy for my workouts. Feeling healthy is far better than any temporary high nicotine could provide. My body is my vessel, and it’s important that I take care of it with love instead of continuing to damage it for quick gratification.
To Not Be Controlled by Addiction
The first week after I quit nicotine presented some significant challenges. I found myself feeling overwhelmed at times, experiencing emotions like frustration and irritability due to the cravings. However, these difficulties served as powerful reminders of my determination to break free from this addiction. I recognized that I didn’t want to be controlled by the need for nicotine any longer. This journey became an opportunity for growth, allowing me to focus on spending quality time with my loved ones, my health, my goals, and being fully present in those moments, rather than being distracted by cravings. By pushing through the tough times, I am taking important steps toward a healthier and more fulfilling life.
To Rediscover Passions and Be More Productive
When I was vaping, I often felt unsatisfied with other activities, such as my creative projects or reading. However, once I decided to quit, I discovered that my brain could relearn how to enjoy the simple pleasures in life. As my dopamine levels began to balance out, I found renewed joy and motivation in activities that truly resonate with me. Before I stopped vaping, I took the initiative to list all the things I could engage in instead. This included writing, reading, and even developing this blog! Rather than waiting for a quick dopamine fix, I realized I could redirect my energy toward completing the tasks I had been putting off. The important lesson here is to identify your passions and choose them over vaping. Embracing what you love can greatly enhance your overall well-being—mind, body, and soul.
To Improve Cognitive Health
While nicotine may seem to provide temporary relief from stress and anxiety, it’s important to recognize that it can increase feelings of anxiety over time. This creates a cycle of dependence, where individuals may turn to vaping to feel better, even though it ultimately has the opposite effect. From my experience, I struggled to stay away from nicotine in social settings due to my social anxiety. I often found myself reaching for my vape at bars or gatherings, as my brain had learned to rely on it for managing anxious feelings. However, I discovered that by forcing myself to deal with the uncomfortable feelings when I experienced cravings, I could encourage my brain to find healthier ways to cope with anxiety. It was like training a muscle; the more I practiced this approach, the more effective I became at regulating my anxiety naturally. This process has reinforced my ability to handle social situations without depending on nicotine, helping me grow both mentally and emotionally.