My Smoker's Journal: One Day at a Time – DAN JOYCE art


My Smoker's Journal: One Day at a Time

Posted by Dan Joyce on

Quitting smoking can feel like an uphill battle, but I’ve found that focusing on just today makes it a lot easier. Instead of stressing about the long-term or worrying about slip-ups down the road, I’m trying to stay in the present. Today is the only day that matters, and that mindset keeps me grounded.

Where I am now, smoking is prohibited, which definitely helps. But it also means I have no idea where I’ll end up next or what challenges I’ll face in other environments. That unknown can be stressful. And honestly, a lot of the mental health system is full of smokers, which worries me. It feels like cigarettes are everywhere, a kind of shared coping mechanism for people who already have enough to deal with. That’s a big concern as I work to quit, but I’ve realized that worrying too much only brings me closer to lighting up another one.

Worrying has always been a trigger for me. In the past, when the anxiety built up, I’d reach for a cigarette to calm the storm. But now I remind myself to focus on today. It’s easier to manage when I break it down like that. I don’t have to quit forever today—I just have to stay smoke-free right now, while I’m here. Tomorrow can take care of itself.

By taking it one day at a time, I’m finding more peace in the process. It’s still tough, but today, I’m doing okay—and that’s good enough.

by Dan and Bonkers

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