My process

Hi all. I’m on my about 1000 th attempt to quit smoking for good. That’s a bit of an exaggeration but I have tried many many times and I haven’t nailed it yet. I have smoked for 35 years and this last attempt I did 3 weeks cold turkey then I caved in and smoked one. But I decided I would not relapse. It is just too much hard work going cold turkey then just giving in. I have had major heart surgery a couple of years ago so I really want to quit for that reason also the cost. Even though I did have one I’m proud of myself for the 3 weeks and really ready to learn from that one cigarette. How can I cope next time I get a strong craving? Sometimes it feels like nothing will help other than smoking a cigarette but it helps to have a short list of things to do as well as ways of replacing a smoking lifestyle, like exercise and meditation as well as writing down how you are feeling. Sometimes life can be overwhelming so also talking to someone you trust helps a lot too. I still have a road to travel on ahead of me with quitting but now I’m looking forward instead of dwelling on the negatives and getting stuck. I feel it will be really worth it.