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Slip-ups. They happen to the best of us. When you’re trying to quit a habit—whether it’s smoking, drinking, or anything else—those little bumps in the road are almost inevitable. But here’s the thing: the real danger isn’t the slip-up itself, it’s how we respond to it. I’ve noticed something about myself (and maybe you have too). When I slip up, there’s this immediate temptation to throw my hands in the air and go all in, as if one mistake means I’ve lost the battle entirely. It’s so easy to say, “Well, I messed up, so I might as well go...

Today, I’m reflecting on addiction and how much of it feels like a self-fulfilling prophecy. The more you’re told that quitting is impossible or requires a miracle, the easier it becomes to believe that. I experienced this with alcohol, and now I’m seeing the same exaggerated beliefs about smoking. But the truth? Addiction might not be as overpowering as we’ve been led to believe. If I’ve learned anything, it’s that addiction, in many cases, isn’t some all-powerful force. It’s a mental game. Slip-ups happen. They’re part of the process, not an indication of failure. When you view addiction as this...

Addiction. The word itself carries the weight of hopelessness, resignation, and the fear that, once ensnared, you’re trapped forever. But what if part of the trap is the belief that addiction is inevitable? That it’s a life sentence, one you cannot escape? The truth is, addiction, in many cases, can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. It starts with the stories we tell ourselves—and those stories shape our reality. You’ve heard it before: "I have an addictive personality. I’m just wired this way. I can’t change." Once that narrative takes root, it’s incredibly difficult to see any other way out. You fall...

Quitting smoking is like being in the middle of a battlefield where the enemy is always lurking, waiting to pounce when you’re least prepared. In this particular war, those enemies are called "triggers." They come at you from all angles — stress, boredom, social situations, even certain smells or places. Sometimes, just seeing someone else light up is enough to send you spiraling back into that craving. Lately, I've been doing a deep dive into identifying my own triggers, and let me tell you, they are relentless. Stress is probably the biggest one for me. Whether it's dealing with the...

Tomorrow, I face court for what should be a violation of a restraining order. Instead, I’m being charged with domestic violence—a crime I did not commit. I didn’t even enter my mother’s house. I went there to appeal to her for help with my homelessness. Now, I’m being accused of violence that never happened. This isn’t the first time I’ve been wronged by the system. Last year, I was beaten up four times in group homes, yet not one arrest was made. I was the victim, but I never received justice. Meanwhile, here I am, being dragged into court, labeled...