Early Days

Thank you for your comment. It is nice to feel appreciated and understood. I hope you would trust me to stop you from doing something self destructive or foolish. Isn't that what friends do? I don't have to know someone to feel their pain or sense of loss or listlessness. I have experienced all of that iin previous attempts to quit decades ago. I am so grateful to have done it this time so easily and really want to ease the pain for others.

Wishing you and all the others the best in understanding the mindset to make this journey a more enjoyable one.

Thank you slouch. I'm hearing you and although we haven't met I value your friendship and kindness. Couple of triggers today but I haven't weakened. To be honest, I thought about just 1 but I didn't

So much not slouch!!!!

So much not slouch!!!! I value all of your comments and support. Thank you

lmao....all is good. I am glad if i can help. Keep on remaining positive and believe you can do this , because you are doing fantastic!

Well today is Day 3. Wouldn't have made it except for.my new friends. Thank.you all especially Happiness, Red67 and others. I didn't have that "Just 1", So very proud of myself too. I said that one of the reasons I smoked was anxiety and stress. It's really funny that because last night I was so calm. I haven't had to think about smoking and how to get out and have one. A problem has been eliminated. Such calm I haven't dwelt in a bed long time...

Thank you Red_67. You're truly an inspiration to me.

Thank you Red_67. You're truly an inspiration to me. Maybe I can value myself and do this for ME for once in my life. I'm still thinking of JUST ONE! do I go back to DAY 1 if I have just one. I'm going for a swim now as it is something different for my brain to deal with!!! Haha!

Red is right you know. You know you should treat your body, your temple, better than you have been. It has worked overtime for many years to try and keep up with ridding your body of toxins . When you stop and give it a chance to do its job, you will feel the benefits, some almost immediately.

Cravings do fade, or the memories of smoking, if you prefer, as long as you have let the idea of ever smoking again go. Taking things day by day is good as not to be overwhelmed, but also learn the mindset and change your attitude towards smoking so that you no longer desire it. Only then will you truly be free.

Red-67 thank you again. Had a swim and a spa and did something good for.myself for once. Day 3 today so I plan to be telling you I am smoke free for day 4...You're a nice bloke k e to care and help others so much. You're helping me help myself

That pool and spa has been there for me to enjoy in my comple

It was so relaxing and enjoyable. Trying to confuse my dopamine! Haha! It's working. No cigarettes. I'm thinking of them though. I'm a wardrobe smoker. Hardly anyone other t h an.my close s t fami l y k ow I smoke. I never smoke in front if anyone as it looks so disgusting. So I need to get my head around this. How.does a "non-smoker" truly be one a non smoker??? I'm su h a sneaky fake you k ow. I don't want to be t h at person anymore. Always she as king lying and hiding

Always sneaking around and oh! The lies.. shameful feelings

Ps. The pool was coolish but after a minute becomes warmer. Spa was amazing. Turned off the Jets and just ffloated in the warm water on my own. Good headspace for me today. I'm morphing into someone I might like

Thanks Happiness... I guess quitting is so complicated. It's not just nicotine. A lot of personal stuff too. 80% psychological and 20% nicotine.

I'm definitely benefitting from my forum counselling. Thank you very much.

I am so glad that you enjoyed your swim and spa . So relaxing and de -stressing. Don't morp into someone else, just you before the nicotine took over, your former sweet self. But hey, it is life changing, and it is your life. Do what makes you happy! ;)

Learning and doing something pleasurable for yourself, your dopamine must be through the roof!

Quitting really doesn't have to be complicated. Just really mean it when you say you want to quit smoking. Know that you are not giving up one thing worth your time or money. Wasn't it nice to relax without having to cut your swim short because you craved a smoke? Instead your chose to ignore its demands and let it starve. Remember that you are in control and have the tools and desire to quit smoking. While the patch feeds it on a regular basis, your nicotine sensors are being deprogrammed and will adapt to not getting jolts of nicotine. That is why vaping doesn't give the same joy as smoking. Nothing delivers the punch like smoking a cigarette. Did you know that they add arsenic amongst the hundred of other chemicals to give you that quick five second delivery to your system?

I’m only in the beginning of a fresh attempt myself but I understand what you are saying about how do you be a “non-smoker”.

When I’m off smokes for a while I miss stepping out of stressful or anxiety causing situation to have a smoke. So, I still step out and actually have fresh air, or a coffee, or just play on my phone for a minute.

Even though I know you’re all right about how my brain is tricked into thinking it is calmed by cigarettes, it helps to create other calming habits. I have taken up tea in a big way.

Thanks Happiness. It was a great achievent for me as I smoke the.most when I'm on my own. I'm the wardrobe smoker who doesn't smoke in front of anyone else, so today was a very different day I put no.pressure on myself just had a quiet morning relaxing then swim spa and hair if course! Done housework and feel good. My attitude has changed though. I am definitely an EX smoker now. I kept thinking that I could have just one but I know this means BA k to day 1 and I don't want to do that. I'll have wasted these past two days. I'm well into day 3 so I know I'll get to day 4 now. The cravings I had we're not physical just habit trigger times when i USED to smoke....

How long do I keep on the patches. I'm on the level 2 and they say at least 2 weeks. Then level 1...Do you have to have them or is it just safer if you do?? I don't want to risk.my wonderful progress. Each waking hour has cigarette moments in it. I look forward to when I forget them

Do you have Allan Carr book link to please? Kindle have it but you have to to buy it.

Thanks TryingTK....I just knew that I had to do something different but nice today as I kept r h inking just one??? I know that's not going to happen. I'm not throwing to nice free days aw eat f or anything. Getting to day 1 is hard. Staying on track is getting easier . I wonder if it's because if the patches???I'm staying at on them anyway as I'm calm and relaxed

With the patches I believe I stopped them too early on my last real good attempt. I used step one only for a couple days and then went on willpower and after 7 days off the patch my mental withdrawal was unbearable.

This time (now 24 hours in again) I’m going to do two weeks on each step, then have a few lozenges to really ween myself off so when there is finally nothing it doesn’t hit so hard.

Me too. I don't want to rock the boat. I'm calm and in control today for probably the first time in a very long while so I'm going to play slow and safe. I did think about having just one but I don't want to go back to DAY 1 and lose thesev3 days. I'm past t that and going forward. I wouldn't feel better just so much worse and sad. I'm happy with myself today. Keep going forward. It's sort of a good feeling I'm having by being in control and strong instead of feeling weak and pathetic and hooked. It's a small victory. I'm only on DAY 3 but feeling good. In 2 and days you'll be the same. I'm not going to have even 1 puff. Nic can get nicked! Let's do it!👍🙋‍♀️👏

Hi Pisces24

Here's the link to Allan Carr's book you asked about.

http://media.wix.com/ugd/74fa87_2010cc5496521431188f905b7234a829.pdf

Thank you PuffNoMore

save it to your computer. It has merit, but you have to have determination and the MINDSET that those smoking days have ended. Its the mind that has to be stronger than the urge to smoke. You can be free like others here. At 3 days you are proving to yourself that you dont need them, thats for sure! We should say now that we "DONT WANT THEM"

Thanks PuffNoMore. I'm done with cigarettes. Day 4 and going strong. I'm done with smoking. I am in a hurry for them to be done with me but I know it's a long slow road ahead. I'm doing it

I've got 3/4 packet of cigarettes left. Should I throw them out or keep them as a security blanket?

Sorry i didn't send you the link for the book as i am just finding these comments now. I am glad my friend PuffNoMore was able to help. Anytime you want to reach me, post on one of my pages where I will get an e-mail. I had a drawer full because i had just bought 6 cartons but am selling them off. I gave the open ones to hubby who was still smoking but did a funeral in the bathroom where i cursed and tore apart the cigarette and then flushed. Good riddance. A fitting departure for such a vile poisonous thing. They put arsenic and cyanide in them so we get a better fix.....4000 chemicals. Today help and support are at your fingertips, not like decades ago and sheer willpower with Zyban. No understanding of the psychological aspect and brainwashed that it was hard to quit. It isn't it really isn't if you just look forward to a better future and let it go. It did nothing for you and it never will. Stop mourning it like a lost friend, it wasn't .

You are doing very well Pisces, stick with it and soon you will turn the corner. You can do it.

Just saw this post...thank you once again for your friendship and care. You're su cv h a greatninspiation. I w a nd to be like you and be so confident

Hi Pisces. Well the dust has settled, they must be sleeping eh?

I am glad you are solid in your plan to quit both smoking and nicotine. You are doing so good and will not regret it.

Last night you retorted to a comment by a vaper on Beth's page and she thought that you directed it at her. I told her it was a misunderstanding. I am sure you would like to affirm my apology to her. Beth was just as upset with their comments as you and I were.

So another day under your belt and another day in the quest for freedom.

Go Girl. You Got This!

Are you ok Pisces. What an ignorant abusive man. Take deep breathes and let it go. They are not worth the high blood pressure. Most definitely not worth going back to Day 1. I already amended and conceded and he is still not happy. We should just treat them as we do craving, let them go and know we are winning.

Have a great night girl. Breathe. Freedom is great!

I'm fine. Day 7 is well underway. I am sorry if I upset Beth. So many good hearted genuine caring people who have comforted me, guided me and supported me.

I wouldn't be at Day 7 if it wasn't for the likes of my Forum friends. This forum was like a livel t soft Fiona cradling me and keeping me warm and safe. I hope it can become that again.

I think it's sad that such a positive happy place our Forum was has been soured.

I m not going back to DAY 1 for anyone.

Lovely soft doona

I feel the same way too pisces, and just so there is no misunderstanding the "enough" was meant to the both of them.

It was hours of dialogue between us before either of them told me they were nicotine free. Had they said that in their postings i would not have viewed them as the enemy. I would hate for people to just trade in their freedom for a half way measure.

It is funny how they seem proud of quitting smoking but hide the fact that they are nicotine free. .....just hit me, maybe that is what we will have to say. In the near future when we say "i quit smoking" it will be assumed that we vape ( nicotine or not) I feel a story coming on......

You have a good rest Pisces, thanks for your friendship and support.

I addressed your concern about stepping off the patch at some date. (under Nuts' post "Stop". When it is time, you will be ready. You are so positive in thinking, and learning the mindset that you shouldn't even worry about it. You will not feel any discomfort, only cravings the same as the psychological ones you are having. I would bet, most cravings now are from gradual withdrawal from the nicotine. It is my opinion that you can't tell the difference. Who knows, once you are past those detoxing 72 hours, there may be no cravings. Embracing the journey brings true feedom.

My comments were not to rush you. You have a plan, stick with it. You know you best.

Congratulations on 2 weeks quit Pisces! Good on you girl. I have seen your determination and belief grow day by day. Enjoy every smoke-free day for they are the foundation to a better future. Keep reading every word Allen Carr was God-sent to write. No one can market anything he sells (just his book and even that is free if resourceful. In early days he just wanted word of his finding to spread and make the whole world smoke free) that is why Nrt's are so popular. Use both to your advantage. When you know the truth, it will be easy to let go of the bit of nicotine left at the end. It really is the least of your worries. Trust me, trust yourself.

Thank you so much Happiness for your inspiring words.

I'm going to give it a go cutting them in half I mean...

It's funny that the day I forgot the half patch nothing happened. I put a half patch on yesterday and might skip today and see how that goes. That would in effect be quartering my dose. They are only my plan B now.

The psych aspect is the real demon and the one I'm going to struggle with. I can't believe how out of the blue you just start thinking about them again.

I'm doing ok. Had a slip up but that was an isolated angry moment.

I've noticed I am a bit teary and a bit depressed. I guess you have to expect something to change. I'm ok now.

It's funny too that I forget how many days and have to look it up on the Forum quitplan... day 18 I think... haha!

Have an awesome family Christmas and thank you for your friendship