Planning and temptation
Hi everyone
Just thought I’d share something I think I’ve learnt recently. Background- I have been a pack a day smoker for 20 years, started when I was 16. I have quit a few times for max maybe 6months. I have been trying to quit since I was 21. So I have been genuinely trying to quit for 15 YEARS! Can you believe that. I have tried many things, patches, gum, champix, cold turkey etc. the only one I would never try again is champix- made me crazy. I think I genuinely have tried to quit a few times a year for 15 years, let’s say 4. That’s 60 quit attempts. Serious attempts. Making calendars, reward charts, reading non smoking books, joining apps etc.
After all this time quitting some things are easier and some things are harder. Because of so much quit practice I find it easy to go a few days. I can set my mind to it. But the big goal, the elusive goal is harder than ever. I have never tried to do something 60+ times and failed and kept trying. It was getting harder and harder to build up to each attempt, to get my mind ready, it has sapped my will power and made me feel like a failure. 2 things have helped recently and I am now on 11 days. One is this forum, reading people’s stories, seeing all the support and encouragement is awesome. You guys are tops! We know how hard this is and there is nothing more inspiring than seeing you guys succeed, it genuinely builds hope to hear your stories.
The second one is that I have been relying a lot on will power and not so much on planning. A plan is not “to not smoke”. I’ve tried to lift my planning game. Because I can’t actually go through life with the same temptations all around me and resist them, I need to get myself right away from the tempting circumstances. Quitting for me has been like a video game walking through a mind field and every time I’m completely surprised that I got blown up again. So maybe don’t walk through the mine field. Don’t hang out with that friend who chain smokes and is a terrible influence on your life. Don’t have a random night out and get drunker than you planned and indulge in a pack for fun. Don’t walk past the ciggy shop on your way to work, walk the other way. And the latest one for me that is actually working is do not carry enough $ with you to buy a pack. I leave all my cards at home and take $20 cash out for daily expenses. So yeah I’m trying to walk in the safe, pleasant smelling, floral meadow. I’m on day 11.
Agree with Robn that mindset is the most critical part of becoming a non-smoker. For now reducing all those temptations if works for you keep it up, however the day will come when you have to face these temptations and say NO.
Your story about walking past a cigarette shop and being tempted reminded me of the same thing. Early on in my Quit journey I had that experience and felt drawn to the store and even though I didn't go in part of my brain was trying to nudge me through the door. When I think back now, I have done many things in my life that many would consider extremely dangerous and I was afraid of walking past a tobacconist store, yes I was and still am a addict that has finally seen the light and said No More to nicotine.
Thanks for all your encouragement and support guys it’s really helpful ;). Yes Robn I have read Allen Carr a few times, it’s a good book, might be due to read it again I think
I think you already know your weaknesses Buster. Avoiding the temptation seems to be your past downfall, but we learn through our mistakes. Adjust the game, find your mindset and resolve again, and you should do just fine. Have you used a quit group before? I should think it would help, and this one is great!
its funny how some simple things can make a big difference in our minds..for me i read somewhere here that I was a non smoker..never thought of that just was thinking i was trying to quit smoking..but now i think not trying to quit..cuz i am non smoker..has helped me with cravings. best of luck!
My dear,
Good luck. So many attempts surely make a man out of oneself. You must have been something to have courage to attempt so many times.
I am sure that everyone smoking has this idea of quitting .some attempt, other think and keep planning but never executive.
We r with u. Sharing u a video which left a deep impression in my mind in my quitting days.
Have a look. It may help you to change Ur perspective. It helped me
https://youtu.be/Kw8VHyKL4Do