I was unsuccessful at quitting until I became self aware that I loved smoking for many reasons. So before I quit. I made a notation on everytime I lit a smoke. There were so many reasons. I then thought of something I could do instead.  I practiced them before I quit. Some important ones had to do with deep breathing to reduce stress. Another one was the social aspects of smoking, including purchasing them. So whenever I got the urge to light up I said to myself, Yes, I want to smoke and then said to myself what I was going to do instead. This really helped me to keep my stress down. I had learned something about triggers being time and place oriented. I moved to a new appartment and made a point of not smoking in it. I then quit smoking on the day of the Great American Smoke Out for one day.  That was a really tough day. I didn't know if I could do it. When I got up the next day I said to myself, That was a real vote for life. I did it yesterday. Let's see if I could do it again. And everyday afterwards. And I never smoked again. A couple of weeks after I quit my mentor invited me to someone doing their Thesis Defense for his PhD.  It was on the secondary benefits to alcohol use. It was the same thing I had done to quit smoking.  I decided it was a good idea to change careers to help others change. I'm now in my third career helping other to change. It been 35 years now.

Thanks so much Jenny! I hope my emotions balance out, I really do. I am glad you have your cross stitch to keep you occupied, as well as a new TV show, that's great! Do gotta run for a doctor's appointment now. Keep at it Jenny... Little by little and one baby step at a time. Hugs!

Jerthie, I’m definitely working with baby steps. Every few minutes I’m thinking maybe I’ll put quitting off for another week. Coming here and reading is helping, though. My daughter has friends over today and through the weekend, so it’s a good time for me to not be smoking, being the closet smoker I’ve been. I also have another injection in my back on Monday, so being quit a few days before that would be good. 
Hoping for strength this afternoon when I have to go out. It’s always easier to not go buy some if I stay home.

Jenny

Albert, that’s so awesome that you switched careers to helping others overcome addiction. 35 years? Wow! I’m gonna try acknowledging I want to smoke then deciding what I’m going to do instead. I like that! It’s easy to spiral when I think I want to smoke and it seems like that would be a simple way to stop it.

I’m glad you mentioned The Great American Smoke Out. It was that day I first quit 20 years ago, but I couldn’t remember the name for the day/event. It was the first time I had the realization that I really could quit. I just didn’t have the mindset for it yet. 

You’re story is definitely inspiring. Thank you so much for sharing!

Jenny

Made it through yesterday! Yay! Woke up still feeling good about staying quit, which is always a good sign. Sometimes I’ve woken up thinking I might wait an hour then go buy some. Today is day 3 for me. I don’t need to go anywhere today, so I’m expecting to get through relatively easily. At least it feels easy right now. That can change so quickly.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Friday!

Jenny

Amazing, Jenny! Get past Day 3, and you are over probably the toughest first stage of quitting smoking. I will keep you in my prayers for your successful quit! Keep up the good work!!

Hey everyone! My roommate and I are ready to quit smoking! You are a few days ahead of us! He is signing up for this forum now!

Jerthie, thank you! Finishing day 3 now I had some rough moments today, but I got through each of them without too much self-drama. I ate chips, chocolate or irked on my cross stitch instead of smoking. My arms a bit sore from all the cross stitch.

I hope you have a fabulous weekend!

Jenny

Hi Nircelaj5,

so happy you and your roommate are here and ready! It’s nice to have people to share the journey with. I’m feeling good going into day 4, but it’s hard. I’ve been so thankful to have this forum and the wonderful people in it. 

 Do you guys have a quit day picked out, or did you already quit? 
 

Jenny

Thank you for that kind welcome!! I saw you post your name already but what is it again? My name is Erika and my roommate’s name is Bob. I’m so jealous you have 4 days! What an accomplishment! Congratulations! Keep going! I found this forum when I quit in 2019 for 6 months. I loved this and it helped me tremendously! So actually I have approximately 4 cigarettes left in my pack and he has a few left as well! So I didn’t want to post on the forum yet. But I’m hoping my quit date will be January 7th (today). Last time chewing gum and trying to let the feeling pass helped me! What about you? I’m so proud of you! Btw, where are you in the world? We’re in Boston. Last time there was someone I spoke to from France!