Day 6 and doubtfully hopeful (?)

What works for me is to take a pause when I am craving and think about how I am going to feel after I have had a smoke.

Thanks folks for all of your good advice. I have actually been trying to escape for forty years.

I have 'stick my head in the sand' syndrome, which is very self indulgent I think.

I have read Alan Carr a few times and have been listening to his audio book over and over again, and no longer hear it, even though I almost know the book off by heart.

Perhaps smart turkey is the real way to go, where escapees like me need to study for a couple of hours every day to really think about their habit, and to find new reasons to stay free.

Thanks for your help folks.

When I get back home again, I plan to make my house immaculately clean and tidy up the gardens - that will be very rewarding and keep me busy 😊

Hi Weewillem

Agree with Robn and Storm, mindset appears to be a big part of the problem. You appear to be fixating and reinforcing your perceived past failures. Below are some of the words and phrases you used:

my most recent pathetic efforts

failed, obviously

self belief keeps crumbling

I'm afraid

can't understand my own self

Do any of those phrases sound positive. Replace these thoughts with positive thoughts that are achievable and realistic. Visualise every day as a non smoker, you have had wins, 6 days - then you can make 10 days and then 100. What are you afraid of, failure, whats the very worst thing that can happen?, you slip up and have a cigarette. Being afraid is something we create in our own minds, instead of being afraid of failure look forward to your future success.

Sorry if it seems like I'm rambling a bit, however believe me when I say that I know how hard it is to finally realise you really what to Quit, the reasons why and then commit to making yourself a non-smoker. You can do it.

Looking forward to you posting about how you now have control of the addiction. Remember you are not alone and others In our positions have become smoke free.

I have to agree with John above. I have gone through all of your posts from beginning to end. I am astonished that you are still here trying, and I do believe that you do WANT to quit smoking. You did not bury your head in the sand once understanding the impact nicotine had on our minds and sensors. You are one of the most self taught, well read, intelligent and determined persons that i have encountered on this site. You have had great starts to many quits. I agree with you that being free of its talons are quite reward enough. Stop thinking about "rewards " altogether if it leads to two cigs. You did not reward yourself in any way, but instead inflicted more suffering on yourself. Why do you not want to be happy? You said it was not fear of being a non-smoker. Do you not deserve to find that state of freedom?

Stop comparing this time to other attempts at quitting smoking.

Believe that this is the last time because you will be successful.

You know how good you felt when you have succeed for lengthy periods of time

You also hold the knowledge that empowers you to make this dream of becoming a non-smoker a reality

You have everything to live for, a second chance it seems and someone you adore to do it for

Remember the couple looking into each others eyes at the hospital

Surely you have mastered both the Big Nicotine Monster and know the 4 D's,

You have killed and resurrected the Little Nicotine Monster several times

I am impressed with the knowledge you have acquired

So now, stop feeling sorry for yourself, put all the information together, and use it.

We know you can. It's high time you believe you can too.

Hi Weewillem. Trust these responses show you everyone is on your side and backing your attempts. Hope this time you do not disappoint yourself and believe in yourself enough to actually quit.

Hi folks, thanks so much for your constructive comments, it's been a great help to me.

Happiness, thanks so much for making me think hard about this predicament. I too went through my old posts. I was so happy when I'd quit before.

If I don't quit now, I'll either die trying or spend the rest of my life being a miserable smoker

So good to know you are still with us weewillem. I loved a phrase someone wrote "either I kill the desire to smoke, or it will kill me". I am betting on you!Try the meditation tape i posted. I did respond to you as well under John100's post. Happy New Year!

Hi weewilliam. Congrats to you for making it to the two weeks again. I read that somewhere and just wanted to send you my vote of confidence. The worst part of the journey is over. You are very practiced at living life as a non-smoker so the rest of the journey is yours to finish with the Belief that you will. If those doubts come back, re read your posts or other post that touched you personally in some regard. Review your reasons for doing this journey at all. Don't throw away all of your hard work and the chance to finally be free. It is a great feeling and it is within your grasp. You CAN do it!

Thanks for your support Happiness. At this point I cannot imagine being a smoker again. I think it would be prudent at this stage to identify what could possibly happen to make me want to smoke again, and how to handle that.

Thats great news Weewilliam. I am so happy for you. Now if we can just get PuffNoMore over the hump. You stay in this great frame of mind and in the good place.. Let it beg for food and laugh at its cries. It's cries now remind you that it's end is near and you have won!