u/tenfour6852

I can tell that smoking cigarettes and vaping have brought me down over the past two years. (I started again in 2024 after almost ten years with almost no nicotine in my body.) I just realized that pretending it will help with my mood disorder has been a lie and that smoking is not at all self-care.

I don't want to have harsh mood swings so my plan is to use the gum and then taper down from it. I've had some success with this in the past.

I'm fucking determined to do this. It's time.

The title says it all really. I just decided that it's time to live smoke and vape free. I threw out my cigarettes and tobacco-related items yesterday, and threw out my vape pen about an hour ago. The last straw was noticing edema in my legs, which could have any number of causes, but I know that smoking or vaping will just make it worse.

I'm going to use the gum and then taper off of it. I hope it's allowed to say this in this sub.

I'd say wish me luck but I don't need it. I know that this is what I have to do. I'm going to do it. It's not going to help with my illness; in fact I know that it makes it worse. I got this.

Wishing you all the best on your journey to live smoke and/or vape free.

The title really says it all. I'm trying to celebrate that I've made it this far. I was first diagnosed 26 years ago. I've been through hell and back. But I haven't had a manic episode in 15 years, and only had two major depressions in that time.

Living with bipolar just sucks. But I'm determined not to go anywhere. I'll work on managing it one day at a time.

I could tell success stories, but this is just a statement that I'm still alive and very grateful for it.