I have not reached 1 year without nicotene yet but I want to. Actually, I don't want to smoke ever again. I think that I can only keep that promise 1 day at a time, so I keep it simple and think yes, today I won't smoke and that I can achieve for sure. If you just gave up smoking, then don't think about tomorrow either, just think about getting one day behind you, then two - because 1 +1 = 2. Then 3 etc. One by one, moment by moment. Every minute and hour that passes by for those who just quit is a victory. Count your victories hour by hour and day by day if you have to. Be encouraged with your progress!! Don't you know that die hard smokers are probably not good at encouraging themselves? How can they be when they are poisoning themselves with nicotene moment by moment.
You want the willpower to give up smoking but you won't get that willpower if you are still smoking. Your resolve is gone when you smoke. What kid goes and buys a delicious ice cream and then resolves not to eat it when its in his hand? No! For me, I must first rid myself of nicotine in any shape or form until I have enough time behind me so that the drug is not the only thing talking to me. I needed enough time to feel good about giving up. Even today as I write (11 months) I need to remind myself that I've quit that long and that I've done well in doing that. In fact, its so good, why would I want to spoil everything and go back to a horrible kind of nicotine slavery again.
Whats happened to me to be able to stay away from nicotine is a change of mind. Its a resolve! It has not come overnight but it has been taught to me and I learned much of it here by spending time with others trying to figure out how I am to view this disgusting habit that is destroying me.