Just started
After several attempts over the years and the use of patches, gum or medication, I have decided to this a little differently this time. I am using an E-cigarette (zero nicotine) when I get a craving. Admittedly, I have surgery coming up and had to quit for that, but I'm also quitting for ME, I want to be a non-smoker!! I didn't just stop cold turkey, I eliminated my 'daytime' cigarettes for a couple of weeks by not taking my cigarettes with me to work each day and only taking my E-cigarette. I was still having my 'morning tea' and 'afternoon tea' breaks outside in the 'smokers' area as well as 'lunch' breaks, but using my E-cigarette. Effectively I eliminated around 12 cigarettes per day by doing it this way - so by the end of only two weeks of this, I eliminated 120 cigarettes from my habit!! I will not say it has been easy and I know I have a long way to go but for the last two days I have not had one cigarette. I think it makes it easier if you allow it to be your own choice. 'I choose to not smoke' and if I slip up every now and then, it's no big deal. Today is Monday, so it will be a tester when I go home this evening being around others who smoke, but I'm determined to keep it going........
I wish you the best with your quit attemp joolz. I am on day 43 of my final quit. Everyone is different but I failed quitting previously because I had the attidue 'If I slip up every now and then it's no big deal'. For me one turned into one more and then before I knew it I was back on the smokes all the time. I realised for me to quit I had to follow the Not One Puff Ever philosophy. For me its all or nothing. Again, I wish you all the best.
Good luck Joolz. I was the same as Threads and one puff put me straight back on the stinky sticks in my past attempts . The Not One Puff Ever philosophy is for me too and reading the stories of others on this site has helped me with being 44 days smoke free. Nicotine is such an addiction and this is not an easy journey but you will find there will be less cravings over time. I tell myself that giving into the craving would be the easier path to take in the moment but it will also be the hardest path in the long run in regards to my health and self esteem. Let us know how you are going.
Agree, one slip up is like going back to where we came from. Quelle horreure! That one puff of smoke says we may as well have another and another to remind us what we are missing. That is always at the forefront of my thinking, especially when "Margaret Thatcher" suggests I reward myself. If you are feeling pressured by your craving just get on this site and spend some time visiting stories or post your own. Look forward to receiving positive encouragement from your fellow quitters.
Thank you all for your support. You are all right in that 'one slip up' is NOT ok!! I went from being so proud of myself yesterday for not smoking for 2 full days... to slipping up and having a cigarette last night, all because I had a couple of drinks and thought that I could not have a drink without a smoke!! I need to listen to you all and take on the philosophy of 'Not one puff ever'!!
that's the hardest part , beating the stinkn demon whilst enjoying a beer.
I didn't stop enjoying a beer but ate packets of cashew nuts for the first few weeks whilst having a grog or 3.
Now I don't think about it at all whilst drinking which is awesome...it does get easier BUT you have to resist every pass at a stinkn demon...having 1 puff and you slide ever so closer to the edge of no return...Trust me and all on this site...they have the experience......good luck you can do it