How I Quit Smoking "Without Losing My Mind"

I started smoking when I was 17. It became part of my routine especially while sitting at the computer for hours, gaming or working. People around me kept saying I should quit, but I brushed it off for years. Eventually, I hit a point where I just felt… tired. Out of breath too fast. Gaining weight. And honestly, I started thinking about my family, my future. I knew something had to change.
So I gave vaping a try, not because it was “cool,” but because it felt like a step away from cigarettes. And yeah, it actually worked. Not instantly, but enough to break the habit. Then, slowly, I started vaping less too. Here's how it all went down.

Switching From Cigarettes to Vaping

When I first switched to vaping, it wasn’t easy. The habit of lighting up was so deep rooted. But vaping gave me something similar without all the nasty stuff in cigarettes. It felt lighter, less harsh on my lungs, and I could control how much nicotine I took.

At first, I was vaping a lot, almost as much as I used to smoke. But it was different. I wasn’t inhaling all those harmful chemicals, and that gave me some peace of mind. Over time, I started cutting down on vaping too. It wasn’t about quitting cold turkey. It was about easing out of the habit slowly but for real.

One thing I noticed after quitting cigarettes and starting to vape was feeling hungrier than usual. That’s pretty normal when your body adjusts to not having nicotine. I had to keep some healthy snacks handy and remind myself that extra hunger is part of the process.

Cutting Back and Building New Habits

Dropping the habit wasn’t a straight line. I had days when I wanted to vape out of stress or just boredom, especially during work & gaming breaks. But instead of reaching for the vape, I started doing little things to distract myself, stretching, grabbing a glass of water, or just taking a moment to breathe. It wasn’t perfect every time, but those small steps added up.

Changing the routine helped too. Since smoking and vaping were tied to my computer time, I made sure to get up more often and move around. That made a big difference in breaking the automatic urge.

Why It Worked for Me

What made this quit journey work wasn’t some magic fix. It was slowing down, being patient with myself, and swapping out old habits for better ones. The shift from cigarettes to vaping gave me a break from the worst stuff. Then cutting back on vaping let me rebuild control.

If you’re trying to quit, it’s okay if it’s messy or takes time. The key is finding what works for you and sticking with it, bit by bit.

Tips That Helped Me Quit Smoking and Vaping

Quitting isn’t easy, but these little tricks made a difference for me:

• Chew gum or snacks: Whenever I felt the urge to smoke or vape, I’d chew gum or munch on something healthy. It gave my mouth something to do and helped distract from cravings.

• Keep busy: Staying active helped a lot. I’d take short breaks to stretch, walk around, or do quick exercises, anything to break the pattern of sitting and reaching for a cigarette or vape.

• Drink water: Drinking water not only kept me hydrated but also gave me a moment to pause and reset when cravings hit.

• Change your routine: Smoking and vaping were tied to my computer time. Switching up my habits, like standing while gaming or doing something else during breaks, helped cut down the automatic cravings.

• Be patient with yourself: It’s normal to slip up or have tough days. The important thing is to keep trying and not get discouraged.

Final Thoughts

Quitting smoking and vaping wasn’t a straight path, and it definitely took time. But every small step forward mattered. If you’re on this journey, remember it’s okay to have setbacks. What counts is getting back up and keeping at it. Find what works for you, be kind to yourself, and celebrate the progress, no matter how small. You’ve got this.