I've been smoking for the past 17 years, and I've watched my life spiral downhill because of it—health issues piling up, relationships straining, and opportunities slipping away. In 2024, I finally committed to quitting, drawing on every bit of willpower I had; my personal best streak lasted 57 days, during which I relied on nicotine gum for the first seven to ease the cravings. Today marks my second day in this new attempt, and while the urge is strong, I'm determined to push through and rebuild what I've lost, one smoke-free day at a time.
