So, here I am, a little after 7:30 on a Wednesday night, and I am dreading using up my last cigarette. Been slowly working myself down over the past month from roughly half a pack a day down to now... my last cigarette for the foreseeable future.

Started smoking abroad as it was cheaper and didn't hold most of the negative connotations that exist here in the U.S. I've gone months at a time without smoking but when I get angry or stressed I pick it right back up again. Started smoking again in June due to a drastic increase in stress, and I've been a chimney ever since. Now it's quitting time again and I am mentally preparing myself for the next week of unpleasantness.

Headaches, mood swings, lethargy and the desire to rip out the throat of anyone who even tries to talk to you.

I've done it before, and I'll do it again this time. It's not as hard as everyone else makes it out to be. It really does just take willpower.

It's just not any goddamn fun.

Any other smokers out there trying to quit and want to share in my pain? Any tips etc... for making the process any easier?

Non-smokers who just want to rag on the habit or call it stupid- you can keep it to yourself. Yes, smoking is bad for you, but there are very few cigarettes I've regretted smoking. Not everything in life is measured by the metric of human health. There are aesthetics, (the taste, smell and act of smoking, all of which I enjoy), and the social benefits as well. You can always ask a stranger for a light or a smoke and I've met some crazy people and had some amazing experiences because of cigarettes.

It's never as black and white as your parents tell you. Smoking IS bad for you and IS harmful, but I AM an adult, and I can make my own choices.

Now, I'm choosing to stop. Brace yourself brain: it's going to be a long week.