I've been smoking for 9 years inconsistently, from when I was in grade 9. I smoked mostly when I was in school/university, where I would be chomping half-a-pack a day. I'm finally in the mood to quit. I've gone at least 2 months without a cigarette, but recently I ran into a buddy and we kicked a smoke -- didn't really like it. I was reminded of the pain of my first smoke, and I got a head-rush like the old times. I don't think I'm going to go back to smoking anytime soon, tbh (although I haven't been drunk in a while, and that might change things).

Any guys here used to smoke? how was the quitting process? I've noticed I've been coughing up phlegm still, which sucks. Hope that ends soon.

But, obviously, let's get to the main reason of this post. Why the fuck did I even start smoking? Without a doubt it was to get girls, and I don't even think I was all that successful with women because of the smoking specifically. If they weren't trashy, they probably found it repugnant. Idk. I'd hate myself if I smoked for 9 years because I wanted to get women. Luckily, I became one of those 'mature' smokers pretty quickly: those guys who smoke because it's fucking awesome: it tasted good, it woke you up, you felt sharper, it dropped your voice a couple octaves, it helped you set up your day around little rewards, and it felt good to have those solitary five minutes to yourself (and, with company, always ensured a good time). You were in this little unspoken community of people who knew the secret to life -- you didn't see them always, and sometimes they weren't helpful (ever fail to bum a smoke, anyone?), but they were always there, even if traces of them existed only in spent cigarettes they threw to the floor. Most of my idols smoked. I picked up my favorite writer's brand of smoke (virginia's pall mall) and stuck to that brand, while the more social smokers preferred the more expensive, easy to smoke brands. A friend told me that people don't smoke to be cool, but only cool people smoke. But all good things should come to an end. And I'm glad I'm leaving cigarettes behind for now.

So, smokers -- why'd you start smoking? what's your experience been like? will you quit now that you're mgtow?