Starting again
This will be the nth times I try to quit smoking. I quitted on cold turkey for 4.5 years as a promise to my boyfriend that I would quit as soon as we were engaged. It was a piece of cake to quit cold turkey back then even I had been smoking for 10 years. I couldn't recall experiencing any withdrawal symtoms, I guess the engagement and the dream of spending the rest of my life with the one I love were so powerful and joyeous to outweight any withdrawal symtoms. I picked up the cigarettes again to stop the crying from being cheated on by now my ex-husband. That same person that I gave it up to begin with. It's been a long 7 yrs since the divorce and this time I want to quit for myself and stay off it for good. I have tried the NRT, the cold turkey, and the cut down to quit in the last 5 years but all failed. Being alone and doing it alone is really hard, especially only a few of my close friends know that I smoke and my family certainly doesn't. Acknowledging that, I used the quit line last time I tried, but still not enough support because I was afraid and ashamed to talk about it with a person over the phone. Then I saw the 'We Can Quit' ad on TV and know that this could very well be the best way to help myself quit this annoying habit and addiction. I can write about it which I feel less 'exposed' and I can even cry while writing the stumbles, the fear, the worry. Have set my quit date on 1st July, the first day of second half of 2013. 4 days away. Right now, I am feeling scared (a bit closed to petrified) that I would be a smoker until the day I died if I can't quit it this time.
Hi Puggy
You have come to the right place. We support one another here so don't be ashamed to write to us here as someone is on at different times of the day. Glad you have chosen the next date to quit and it isn't too far away now. As I said, keep posting and we will encourage you all the way.
Another thing I found to do was to keep going over the posts that I hadn't read, so all the ones prior to my quit date I was reading too. They are very inspirational.
Hi Goonellabah2002,
Thank you so much for the encouragement. I agree with you that I have come to the right place this time. I can feel it. The community is made up of people who are actually going through or have gone through the quit journey themselves. You all understand how it actually feels. I am still scared about quitting this time but it feels that this time I am definitely doing it alone. That makes a whole lot of difference.
Thanks for the tips, I will keep reading the posts from other people to stay motivated.
And sorry that I couldn't reply earlier as I was at work but I did read your comment via email. Knowing that I am not doing this alone AND with people who are actually going through the same journey this time got me a bit teary even in the office. so thank you again!
Aw Puggy, this is definitely the right place to help keep you strong and on track. As Goonellabah said, read as many posts as you can - this is what keeps me going. There is always a post on here that relates to how you're feeling and what you are going through. Keep strong and remember - you can do it :)