I’ve never gotten to this point before.

If you’ve been following my journey, you’ll know that for eight years I was a smoker. I usually smoked slim menthol cigarettes and was eternally in the mindset that I wasn’t doing too much damage to my body. I figured I could quit whenever I wanted although whenever I tried I quickly found reasons to light up. A month ago, I decided to quit the habit for good and have been documenting my journey here. Naturally, there have been ups and downs, in the first fortnight I went out with friends and while I did have a slight slip up, for the most part, I refrained. Now I’ve been smoke-free for a whole month and already noticing some impressive differences in my day to day life. Firstly, and most surprisingly, I enjoy being outside and walking. I live in the City Centre in Dublin and as a smoker, I would seldom be seen strolling without a cigarette in hand. I didn’t enjoy walking long distances as naturally, too much activity would result in shortness of breath and tiredness. Now I enjoy my walk home from work and find that I can walk for longer periods of time and no longer feel the pang to sit down and have a smoke. As a result, I feel healthier and my Hailo hasn’t been as abused. I’ve more spare cash and my clothes are fitting better. My hair and skin have dramatically improved. At 27-years of age, I didn’t expect to be feeling the negative effects of smoking on my appearance so never connected my dry skin and hair to my penchant for a cigarette. Since quitting, I’ve found my skin feels much more hydrated, looks softer and my hair, at last, has a healthy shine. Another weird and wonderful benefit is that my taste buds have improved. I’d heard people say this to me before but I have always been a lover of food, cooking and baking and dismissed any notion that my ability to taste was affected by smoking. It’s only since quitting that I’ve realised just how much smoking dulled flavours and smells. One month off the smokes and I continue to experience new joys with some of my favourite flavours. Food is richer and far more satisfying. At this stage, the cravings have subsided and I find more and more I’m just trying to fight the psychological craving. When a friend calls and wants to go for a drink I immediately think of smoking areas in town. In those incidences, I stop, breath and suggest a nice place to eat instead. By Cassie Delaney.  Here at QUIT, we have found that getting the right help and support will double your chances of success. If you combine this with Nicotine Replacement Therapy, NRT for short, then you double your chances again- making you four times more likely to QUIT smoking. If you want to talk to an advisor about quitting call the QUIT Team on 1800 201 203 or FREETEXT 'QUIT' to 50100. Over on www.QUIT.ie there are quit tips, live chat and the chance to create your own personalised QUITplan- there's never been a better time to ditch the cigs for good.