Saturday 29 December 2018

Cigarette Failure

I have a confession to make - I smoked cigarettes. I feel like a big fat failure, I'm so disappointed and ashamed of myself. If you smoke again or have the occasional cigarette you haven't quit your addiction.

Nobody really enjoys smoking, the rewards for quitting offer so many benefits to your health and budget. But with all addictions temptation is the beginning of failure. It's so important that you avoid the places, people, websites and situations where you'll be vulnerable and more likely to give in to cravings and increase the pressure of doing something you regret.

Socialising is important to your sanity. You can't remain trapped in doors for fear of spending money or going over budget. You need to let your hair down once in a while or you'll go nuts. Christmas should be time where you can release stress, have fun with your family and friends and buy them nice presents.

It's also the time when financial pressures and crazy partying can take their toll and the hard work over the last few months can be spoiled over a weekend. I feel bad that I smoked and wasted all my good work.

How Important is Your Nicotine Freedom?

How to stop smoking or any addiction is easy - Never do it again. Smoking isn't enjoyable or fun and it doesn't help me relax. Stopping smoking has had a wonderful impact on my life and health. My priority now is to end the hold that nicotine has had on me. I know I become complacent and let my guard down. It's so easy to fall back into your old ways.

I'm going to keep my smoking relapse in perspective. The world hasn't ended, it was just a blip. I know I don't have to smoke. I've managed without them for months. It's time to go cold turkey and say NO TO NICOTINE.

Tuesday 6 November 2018

Delete Facebook

Following the Cambridge Analytica scandal I decided that Facebook no longer deserved my trust or attention so I deleted my account.
The goal of any cyber security team should be to prevent unauthorized access and protect data. Facebook knew of the data harvesting breach over two years ago and did very little to inspire that Cyber Security was important to them. In fact their cyber risk monitoring didn't seem to exist as outside companies data gathered profile information.
The social media platform has let its users down and gathers data whenever we use a website or app that uses Facebook systems and plug-ins. Facebook has turned in to a disgusting and irresponsible company and their processes and platform is no longer fit for purpose - it’s no longer a social network. The platform exists to market to you and sell your data for advertising. Not only that it sucks away your time from family and friends.
Facebook isn’t really about connecting people anymore it’s a giant algorithm and data mining tool to sell to you and zap away your time. The platform is a surveillance and spying beast intent on know everything about you, tracking your likes, dislikes, behaviour and location so it can monetise your content and tell you what to think.
The saddest part is we give it to them for free to abuse and profit from. And worst still is Facebook has failed to secure it.
I have no faith in the social media giant nor it's CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Trading your data and attention has made Zuckerberg a billionaire. We must be suckers for playing along.
Quitting Facebook was a great decision and since deleting my Facebook account I'm a lot happier. I’ve learned you can live life without Facebook.