When my family found out I had nothing to look forward to in life, everything started to spiral. The emptiness, the boredom—it all fueled my smoking habit. I was lighting up more often, slipping deeper into the trap of addiction, and finding it harder and harder to climb out. It wasn’t just the cigarettes; it was the sense that nothing ahead mattered enough to quit for.
But then something changed.
My mom, bless her, stepped in—not with criticism or guilt trips, but with action. She bought me a new computer and a tablet, giving me the tools to dive back into what I love: making art and writing books. Now, instead of sitting around with a cigarette in hand, I’ve got a reason to get up and head to the library across the street. And guess what? It’s working.
I’m smoking less. Not because someone yelled at me or made me feel ashamed, but because I’ve been given something better to do. Positive reinforcement, not punishment, is what’s turning the tide for me. Addictions are frustrating and overwhelming on their own—we don’t need people piling on guilt or shame. What we need is support, inspiration, and a little bit of faith in our potential.
Even when I’m at home now, programming my computer or working on a project, I notice I’m smoking less. The focus, the purpose—it’s pulling me away from that old crutch.
So far, so good. I’m not cured, and I’m not perfect. But I’m moving in the right direction, one sketch, one sentence, and one smoke-free hour at a time.
I’ll keep you posted on my progress. Because if this works for me, maybe it can work for someone else too.
by Dan and Bonkers
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