My motivation is my mother who I recently watched go through 7 weeks of radiation therapy and her future prognosis is still very weak. She also suffered a stroke 2 years ago which effected her memory, personality and overall cognitive abilities. All this because of 60 years of smoking. We all hear and understand, at least on an intellectual level, that smoking is bad for us, but I didn't really internalize the messages until it effected me emotionally on a personal level. I do not want the end part of my life to be like hers. I'm only just turning 50 so just maybe I quit soon enough to do some harm reduction. One thing I do know is that had I continued to smoke, eventually there would have been consequences. Seeing what has become of a once strong, determined and intelligent woman keeps me on the right path in my journey.
I didn't want to be disabled as I got older. The idea of dragging around an oxygen tank in my old age and shutting off the air while I took a few puffs seemed kind of pathetic. I was also concerned with the possibility of losing independence to a stroke.
After i finally got the nicotine out of my system, I found a new motivation: freedom. Before, I didn't realize how driven I was by the nicotine highs and lows, how much the demand for nicotine disrupted my day, and how much nic-fits were affecting my moods and patience. I feel much more in control of myself and my life now.
Sometimes it takes the opinion or view of another to clarify your reasons and make sense of it all. The important concept is that you are working towards a healthier and happier lifestyle.
Take the time to refocus on your motivation. What made you chose this path? What keeps you pushing forward? How are you able to keep this momentum? What helped you make this choice?
By sharing, you may have just helped another find the motivation they were looking for and this makes it all worthwhile.
