Brought to you by the HSE.
Jack Kelly (20) is from Ballinasloe in Co Galway and he’s been smoking since he was 16. Jack has given up cigarettes for the New Year and he’ll be writing a “quitter’s diary” for JOE over six weeks to describe exactly what it’s like to quit smoking.
My clothes reek of regret. Yes. I had a cigarette.
It was on Saturday night in a nightclub in Athlone. I know, the glamorous lifestyle I lead is beyond anything you can imagine. Tiesto was blaring, the walls were sweating and some less than savoury characters were questioning my choice to wear loafers. At this point, so was I.
I had been good. No major cravings but once I found myself in the smoking area the battle had already been lost. If you can’t tell, I like to be as melodramatic as possible.
An individual who will remain nameless for safety reasons – love the added drama – offered me one. And I stupidly said yes. I’m not trying to let myself off the hook in any way but I was slightly tipsy to put it outrageously mildly. So for a brief moment, I had forgotten I was the ‘Nation’s Quitter’ and I was just back to being some non ultra-famous commoner.
The night marched on and soon we were far away from all the glitz and temptations. I woke up on an armchair, cradling someone who will also remain nameless and was definitely a girl, feeling pretty sorry for myself.
I fell off the wagon, but you know what? I think that’s part and parcel of any quitter’s journey (I said journey again – god, you must hate me).
I think the important thing is I haven’t smoked since then and have no intention to. It’s how you react to the situation.
You can either give in OR you can pick yourself up, dust the smoke butts off your pants and keep battling on. Keep saying no. Keep beating those cravings every damn day! Wow, did you just get goosebumps? I did.
So I’m still here. Still on a mission to prolong my life. To those of you who managed to say no to any temptations this weekend, I salute you and bow down. To those of you who didn’t, I know how you feel. For me it’s not disappointment or even shame. It’s genuine anger. Angry at myself, but I’m going to use this new found rage and put all of its energy toward quitting – for good.
It’s okay not to be okay – immortal words from the great poet Jessie J. Nothing compares to you – Sinead O’Connor… No, that one doesn’t really work but you get the idea! I am firmly back on the wagon, strapped in and and ready to go, wondering if I’ve taken this analogy too far.
Slips and relapses happen. It’s how you pick yourself up that matters. Every time you make a quit attempt, you learn something that can help you the next time you try. If you have been going it alone, why not phone the HSE Quit Team on 1800 201 203 or FREETEXT QUIT to 50100 to talk to an advisor or to find out about your nearest HSE stop smoking service? It might be just what you need to help you give up smoking for good. Get the help you need, the way you want it, for free on www.QUIT.ie.
Brought to you by the HSE.
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ with Aideen McQueen – Faith healers, Coolock craic and Gigging as Gaeilge
