I am a failure - *MINGLE WITH CASHWALK EVENT #18* DAY 4

I failed

Smoking has never been inside my DNA until 2001, a few months after my 25 th birthday 🎂. I am not sure why I had started but I had just started. I probably did because I was a bit jealous and I needed something to comfort me, this is what I probably did. In 2007, on 4 May, I remember that day also because was the day that Madeleine McCain was on the news because of the kidnapping. I was off, the weather was warm, I was at home and it was a few months since I promised my wife that I was going to quit. I told her that I was going to have my last cigarette that morning bit she got crossed with me. I have never had that last cigarette 🚬 that day so I just quit. Just like that. I gave up smoking. 

On that day, my wife and I went to the local park for a pic NIC and I realised that I haven't smoked, I didn't feel the need and I felt like I won that challenge that so many people face.

I am Stupid

That challenge lasted for 4 years before returning to my bad habit. This time I really can't remember why I restarted. I can't remember if I was at the university campus or on my break during one of my shift while working part time at Costa Coffee ☕ to make sure I supported myself financially to cover some of my university costs, the high maintenance fees while still paying my rent and bills. 

Japan

In 2012, on 7 September, I flew to Japan 🗾 as part of my University course. My arrival to Japan has been greeted with something unexpected. I dropped the standing ash tray inside the smoking area at Haneda Airport and all the ash went everywhere. My face turned red. Welcome Damien to Japan!

I was passing my first few days in Tokyo, then travelled by night bus to Kyoto and Kobe before heading to Beppu, the Town famous for onsen to study at APU (Asia Pacific University) as part of my course at the University of Westminster in London. During that week travelling I quit again smoking 🚭. Just like that again!

Beppuuuuuuuuu!

6 months later, at the beginning of 2013, I asked one of my Japanese friends in Beppu for a cigarette, and that was it. Another struggle. I hated myself!!!

The gym

On January 2016 I decided to stop smoking cigarettes, so I decided to buy a vape because over the long term it would have been cheaper. At the beginning of March, 1½ months later I ditched vapes as well during my week long of holiday, passing it in a coffee shop studying Korean and started my Gym membership. 

Now, in August 2024 I am still away from cigarettes (I won't go back to my old ways), I paused the Korean learning and my gym membership, but I jog most night and walk at least 13k steps a day unless therebis heavy rain or I am ill.

If you want to stop a bad habit don't be a failure. Like Nike says: 

JUST DO IT