Finding it tough
I have been really weak when it comes to quitting. I give in really easily. Stress,depression,low self esteem,low self worth,financial problems,loneliness,boredom,habit etc make it really hard. I’m giving it another go but I am not confident. I’m using patches which I have used many times before. I just want to get some time up and get the poison out of my system. Hopefully then it will become a little easier. I’m taking it one day at a time. One packet a day smoker for 26 years. I’m also reaching out to others. Wish me luck. Also good luck to everyone else on this journey. Sincerely Benjamin
Community Guru
Hi Benny . Many like yourself come thinking that they are different but are not. Most like I start out with serious doubt, but sites like this do help. I had never joined one before, in fact I had never seriously thought of quitting smoking in the last decade(s)...why?,,,,because I didn't think I could. I had been brainwashed years ago that it was hard to quit smoking, that some had cravings 20 years later and that i liked smoking, it defined me. Lies, lies , lies.
Read and learn through our stories and especially the comments where sound advice is given. Yesterday I even posted a link to free help by reading Allan Carr's amazing book. Read it and change how you think about smoking. Its FREE.....or are you already making an excuse not to read it? We are masters at making excuses or is that Master Nicotine at the helm yet again? Nicotine is not our only captor.......the habit of smoking has become a daily ingrained act repeated over and over and we all tried to quit at one time and found it overwhelming.
I did not know back in 1970 anything about quitting smoking other than to use their product. No psychological help which is more than half the battle. As a member here once said, "The Battle is Won In The Mind".
Learn why we smoke and ending the cycle is easier. WANT to quit smoking for real this time and BELIEVE that you can. We were like you too.
Hi Benjamin!
Just wanted to say good luck. Take it one day at a time. I have smoked on and off for 40 years or more. I gave up (ha ha) when I had the children 30 years ago, for 8 years. Then started again. I have tried again over the years and succeeded for a few months then always go back. This time, its been 2 months and 2 days since my last cigarette.
I really dont think I will smoke again because I'm too old and it is affecting my breathing.
Anyway, you are certainly not alone on the difficult journey.
Hi Benjamin,
I agree with happiness on how we have been brainwashed. I would add that a whole lot depends on our self talk. You could say to yourself : this IS POSSIBLE, and that you’ve got this.
Pretty much every post on here has positive things to offer. It is the human condition to experience the feelings you have mentioned. These don’t magically go away when you quit but your whole attitude and mind set does change a whole lot and you start to be much more positive in your outlook.