Tip of the day It’s great to remind yourself of the reasons why you have decided to quit.

Sorry for the negatives but I am not just trying to kick the ciggy habit. I am trying to give up a bad friend, its name is CIGARETTES, but it is always there without criticism and understands I am trying but manages to keep its grip but I also have to find the person that was kind, understanding and tolerated what was on offer and while that was happening I turned to the ciggy......of late I have become a person I dislike.....If anyone out there has any tips I would apprecisate hearing them

PS: In my profile I have not stated a sponser because if you have never smoked you more than likely would not understand and if you smoke 50 a day you are not ready to help someone ready to give it a go.....I am trying it alone in many ways

Hi Dargonlady,I think you are applying a tad too much pressure on yourself. The journey is long and takes time and I in some ways I think you are overthinking it . My hints are firstly download a quit app on your phone and at first just aim to get through each hour and before you know it you half done half a day and then a full day. In terms of waking up I used to make tea and then consume two darts and then another two. Now I jump straight in the shower and do some deep breathing and imagine the shower is washing off that old person I was and making me a new WELLBEING . That is what I want to be. I also feel FREE because I'm not trying to live my life with a BALL and CHAIN slowing me down. I am using 25mg patches which help and I reward myself EVERYDAY by depositing 27.81 into my savings with the entry No darts.Get your grand kids to make you a beautiful star chart and put it up in your kitchen like my 7 year old daughter did for me. I love seeing the stars on my chart and it also has a place where I write down how much I have saved . It reminds me how I'm going and I'm doing because I want to see my beautiful girls grow up and meet my grandchildren. I am not writing huge lists to keep myself BUSY but rather I purchased a book and now when I'm edgy I make tea sit in a nice place and just read it slows me down relaxes me . Stop focusing on smoking , focus on getting through the next hour and the next . I keep looking down at my feet and I say to myself look no ball and chain .i can do this in fact we all can with each other's support. I check this site all the time to remind myself we are all feeling it and it's tough but we are supporting each other because we understand each other and we all want to get there . Keep looking at your two feet and say to yourself no ball and chain I'm Finally Free to move forward and lead the lif I want and be proud. Hope this helps . Xxx

Hi Dargonlady,I think you are applying a tad too much pressure on yourself. The journey is long and takes time and I in some ways I think you are overthinking it . My hints are firstly download a quit app on your phone and at first just aim to get through each hour and before you know it you half done half a day and then a full day. In terms of waking up I used to make tea and then consume two darts and then another two. Now I jump straight in the shower and do some deep breathing and imagine the shower is washing off that old person I was and making me a new WELLBEING . That is what I want to be. I also feel FREE because I'm not trying to live my life with a BALL and CHAIN slowing me down. I am using 25mg patches which help and I reward myself EVERYDAY by depositing 27.81 into my savings with the entry No darts.Get your grand kids to make you a beautiful star chart and put it up in your kitchen like my 7 year old daughter did for me. I love seeing the stars on my chart and it also has a place where I write down how much I have saved . It reminds me how I'm going and I'm doing because I want to see my beautiful girls grow up and meet my grandchildren. I am not writing huge lists to keep myself BUSY but rather I purchased a book and now when I'm edgy I make tea sit in a nice place and just read it slows me down relaxes me . Stop focusing on smoking , focus on getting through the next hour and the next . I keep looking down at my feet and I say to myself look no ball and chain .i can do this in fact we all can with each other's support. I check this site all the time to remind myself we are all feeling it and it's tough but we are supporting each other because we understand each other and we all want to get there . Keep looking at your two feet and say to yourself no ball and chain I'm Finally Free to move forward and lead the lif I want and be proud. Hope this helps . Xxx

Hi Nannette, Thankyou so much for your reply......I have found it very helpful. I do belive I am worrying to much about having a ciggie rather than giving myself a pat on the back for having had less ciggies than a week ago. Loved your suggestion about the star chart and intend asking my 6yo grandaughter if she would like to make one for me. Enjoy your day :-)

Hi Dragon lady, Im celebrating a week today and I keep hearing that song in my head "Im sooo happy in my head. Just remember SMOKING IS A CONSTANT STATE OF WITHDARWAL from the the time you but out one dart till the time you have the next dart. The withdrawal pangs when you give up are only a few days and all the nicotine is then out of your system and you are FREE of the ball and chain. The star chart is a constant reminder of why you are doing it, because you want to have more time with those that you LOVE. I hope your granddaughter makes you a beautiful star chart and buy some lovely stickers to attach each day and make sure she writes Go Nan Go you can do it. You sound like a lovely person and we all have your back on this site. Log on each day and celebrate your success. Sit with your granddaughter and help her with your star chart it will give you a new perspective. You wont be worrying about darts for much longer. GO NAN GO YOU CAN DO IT. xxx

Hello Dragonlady, I agree with Nannette in saying that I think we do expect too much from ourselves. It has taken a long time to get this way as smokers so don't think we can succeed in quitting overnight, it's hard, probably the hardest thing I have done and being on day 59 I know I have a lifetime of wanting "just 1 " but at least I have a lifetime. It's doubly hard if you are trying to do this on your own but you have found strength in beginning and getting on this site, that is a huge step. YOU CAN DO IT WE ARE ALL HERE TO HELP AND ENCOURAGE

Thankyou Jenny S..........You are right... and please take it from me as a person that gave up for 10 years ..... never think "just 1 will be okay" That single 1 puts you back on the treadmill. CONGRATULATIONS on achieving day 59 and thankyou for having been a smoker and having the strength to become a NON SMOKER and being there to give strength to others while you are staying strong each day. Have a lovely day :-)

Reading the older posts has reminded me of myself all the reasons not to stop, never thought of my grandson who is 3 now he is the second reason to add to my list I will now carry his picture just to remind me thanku

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