I quit smoking & I rewarded myself with a D&G manbag

I was recently having a conversation with someone who is trying to quit smoking but he is finding it very hard. As I was trying to encourage him to quit due to health benefits, I noticed in his face my encouragement was sounding rather boring. So I immediately came up with a better idea: my own experience.

 I think when we  are emphatic with people, because we have been there and done that, your own experience become more relevant and encouraging. I said if you want I can tell you how I quit and what I did, and he said "Yes, please, tell me!"

The reason I quit was to support John, my hubby, who had to quit advised by his Doctor because he suffers from asthma. I was not doing it for myself, because If I have to be honest, I must say I really did enjoy smoking cigarettes. But oh boy, I didn't know my solidarity was going to become a real nightmare. Yes, quit smoking can be hard, but NOT impossible.

What I did... 

For me, I don't want to lie, it was bloody hard. One day, I sat down and said to myself 'Marlon you are really struggling because this is bloody hard so do something about your will power, why don't you reward yourself?"

And that was exactly what I did.

Cigarettes has always been expensive. It is a very expensive vice. We quit around 8 years ago and I don't remember how much a 20 pack were back then. I used to buy a pack of 20 twice a week. So when I quit, I pretended I was still buying them and put the money aside (saving). In a short period of time, I saved 380 euro which was a good amount to say to myself. "Marlon you have done great, now it's time to reward yourself"

I love bags so with the money I saved I went to Brown Thomas and I got myself and fabulous D&G bag - which is a bag a still treasure because it is the product of my struggle to quit smoking. And to this date, 8 years ago, I have not touched a cigarette and I still have my bag.

I asked to my friend what he was into and he said shoes. So I said 'well shoes are a great motivation to quit smoking and as a reward buy yourself a fabulous pair of shoes'. The delight in his face told me it was better to talk about rewarding yourself rather than talking the 'health benefits'. I know it sounds ironic but it is true.

So for all those people trying to quit something, whatever it is, keep going, don't give up, and please reward yourself with something because it will be the best reward...EVER.

Marlon/Marlon