After 8 years, smoking had become an integral part of my life and dictated hugely the places I would socialize.

Before my friends and I chose where to go we would consider how nice, spacious and heated the smoking area would be. At parties, I spent the vast majority of my time huddled in a small group of close friends, outside. As I wrote in previous entries to this series, I preferred small groups and smoking seemed like a good way to stick with my closest pals. Since quitting, I’ve become much more adventurous in my social activities. Last week I wrote about the chunk of change I’ve saved and this month I used that to go for a bang up fancy meal in lieu of sitting in a cold smoking area. I still enjoy small groups but now I’m finding places and experiences that far more enjoyable, healthier and are creating better memories. During the cold weeks of January, I found I actually enjoyed sitting inside by a fire and uninterrupted by the constant need to break for a cigarette, I had better and more meaningful conversations with my family and friends. For me, quitting smoking has opened up a whole new world of possibilities. My motivation for quitting was a desire to become the person I knew I could be. I had a vision of myself as a confident, healthy, independent person but I shied behind cigarettes. When I couldn’t keep up with friends on a walk it was because I was a smoker. When I didn’t want to participate in the conversation anymore I could leave and go outside, because I was a smoker. Since quitting, I’ve eaten in nice restaurants, I’ve sat for hours talking to my mother, I’ve climbed a mountain. Now everything I want to do is achievable because I’ve overcome the biggest obstacle between me and that better version of myself: my addiction. I’m mentally more in tune with my own needs and now and I am more willing to look after myself. Cigarettes are no longer my crutch. They are a distant memory and shall remain as such. 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.