Update: Recovery after relapse :)
Just thought I would log back on here and give an update. I just saw that my last one was 1 year ago (unreal, can't believe that) September 2020, after I had relapsed due to a stressful time.
I am very pleased to report that, 1 year on, I am in a much more positive place overall. That September was the start of a very sad time for myself but which ended with me quitting smoking and (so far having stayed quit). Myself and my partner had to help care for my partner's elderly grandmother after the death of her son (my partner's father). She was very unwell, in and out of hospital for the Autumn/Winter of 2020, before she passed away in February of this year. Over that time my mental health was very low, high stress and the fact that I had relapsed was ever present in my mind. I resolved to tackle it and finally quit, I NEEDED that one thing for myself in all the sadness and stress. I planned to quit for lent, I mentally prepared for weeks, listened to podcasts, read books (including Allen Carr Easy Way which I found very helpful) and resolved that 17th Feb was my quit date. My partners grandmother died the week before and no joke her funeral ended up being on 16th February. However, I decided that I was going to jump into the fire and quit regardless.
From the day I quit the stomach issue that I suffer from (GERD) flared up (likely due to all the stress and upset) but still I resolved, I quit cold turkey with no nicotine replacement. I am pleased to say that 7 months later I am still smoke free - best decision I ever made :)
What was strange was that all the preparation actually made it easier to quit that time than anytime before, despite all of the obstacles and issues. I haven't looked back.
So long story short, never give up. With the right mental preparation and resolve you can do it, and you can do it fairly easily even with stress in your life. I have since moved house and been through more stressful times, but still quit and the tempatation to smoke in even those moments f high stress s gone - even though I live with someone who smokes and literally they smoke in front of me everyday lol I have no desire to go back to it and my dearest hope is that my other half finally quits too! :)
WOW what an effort. You sure go to show that it can be done through extremely tough times. It's great to hear how it all went for you. Congrats on your 7 months 🙌❤️
Hello Julyrose1. Your post was great. I'm sorry you had to go through a tough time like that but I am so amazed at how strong you were. It certainly helps to hear stories like yours that no matter what, you can stay a non-smoker and not give in to the excuses. You are so right about mental preparation. I think that is how I got onto my final quit.
Congratulations on 7 months. 7 months is HUGE! You obviously got this. I feel energized by your words. This is your forever life - life as a non-smoker. If you can get through those tough times once, you can do it again and again. Awesome job!!
Hello Julyrose1, I am so sorry to hear about the hard and stressful times you have had to face. You did fantastic to stay strong, after all a cigarette would of done nothing to fix your problems, just would of made you feel down on yourself for giving in.
Thank you for sharing your story of sheer guts and determination to be a winner!! 7mths is amazing, keep going, never look back and stay vigilant🙌👍😊
Hi Julyrose. I am hoping the year ahead is a better one for you. Congratulations on sticking it out and emerging a valiant winner. Stories like yours inspire others and are invaluable. You are a force to be reckoned with, nicotine never stood a chance. A brighter future becons, enjoy it!
Thank you everyone for your kind comments. It really is inspiring coming on here and seeing everyone's kind words and reading other people's stories and lessons. Will definitely be staying vigilant and looking forward to brighter times in my smoke free future :) for anyone yet to quit who might be reading these comments (like me last year haha) you CAN do it, quitting is manageable and achievable and once you've done it you are FREE and won't look back. Good luck! :)