Trying again
I am trying again today. My last cigarette was at 7:30 AM, put a patch on at 10:00 and it does not seem to be helping, it is all I keep thinking about. I really want to quit because by husband had prostrate cancer this year, and he hates me smoking. I am trying to go with "I am selfish to keep smoking" Due to my husband and also the extra money we can have in the household. Plus I want to live to see retirement, and the way I feel right now I think I will be on oxygen by then, So out of breath....
Good on you for giving it another go. This is like my 5th attempt and it can be disheartening when I've tried so many times before. Can I make a suggestion...instead of telling yourself how selfish it feels that you are smoking, could you try with something more positive like "I'm giving this a really good go" or "Hey I went 2 hours without a smoke, that is awesome!" I know it sounds a little silly, but building yourself up rather then tearing yourself down should help you quit. I read in a book last night, "think of the things you say to yourself in your thoughts, would you say those things to your child, or best friend? If not, then don't say them to yourself", Good luck honey xxx
Thank you for the encouraging words. How are you doing? Are you still smoke free? I feel so spineless because I took the patch off at 12:20 on my lunch and had a smoke. Only went 4 hours. The longest I made it last year was 6 weeks
Zeke, hang in there and stop beating yourself up. When you think about smoking, those thoughts are cravings. They will happen less and less, and when they do happen they will get shorter and shorter. Recognize it and try some deep breathing exercises and drink lots of water. It does help! You can do this!
Hi Zeke.....Most of us were like you to start off. I been quit now 6mths after 52yrs smoking. Yo need to be serious....initially you will be pulling hair out of your head... .but when you reach the 90 day mark cravings become very very minimal and no thoughts about smoking. I was like you copd puff out up hills but lot better now. You must fight or else will end up with oxygen tank. Very frightening but it rests with you to help achieve
breaking this very serious habit. Good Luck and keep posting . We all here to help and offer advice. Cheers.
Hi Zeke. Put your faith in yourself and all of us on this site. You will get the idea that quitting smokers all hope you will succeed and only smokers know how hard this is. Non smokers have no idea. They mean well when giving encouragement but have no idea about the nature of the addiction. They really believe you actually have a "choice"... We are here to support those wishing to retrain the brain. Post often enough and read enough posts and words and ideas will be in your head and will help you succeed. I know that has helped me for the past 584 days having gone cold turkey... Maybe if I can do it, so can you ???
Thank you Johnnie and Lia. Congrats to both of you. I hope to be one day proud of myself also and quit this unhealthy filthy habit. Keep telling myself that I will slow down on the butts first but really I am only making a butt of myself, because that never seems to work either. I am going to keep trying.
Hi Zeke, again... Interesting that you mention cutting down in order to quit when the likes of me and some others say don't even go there. Don't even have one. One becomes 2 then 3 etc. and the merry go round goes round and round. You simply won't let go of the habit nor address the addiction. Do post again and tell us of your next move.
Thanks I now agree with you on this. Trying to smoke less these past two days and keep looking at the clock to see when I can have my next cigarette again. Hope to give up completely again in the next few day