So excited to post this for the NEW YEAR and New Ex-Smokers!  Welcome to 2023 and get ready to start your New Life and journey as a Non Smoker!

Congratulations on taking that all important first step with cessation - stubbing out the last cigarette and getting started.

Chances are you don't feel 'ready' to quit, and are experiencing a mixture of difficult emotions about it.

Try to relax.  You've found the best place for help. 

Getting Started with Cessation

Park yourself in front of your computer and read everything you can on this forum board. We encourage you to take the initiative to introduce yourself and post often. Sharing your journey with your new quit buddies and offering support to each other really helps.

This thread will serve as the meeting place for those of you who are quitting now, and when the month ends, we will move your 'home base' thread over to the Quit Buddies Unite folder, where you can continue to support each other. 

You can also return to the Introductions folder where you'll find the new Monthly Ex-Smoker thread for those coming along behind you.  Share the tips and encouragement that helped you during month one.  Not only will this help others, it will strengthen your resolve as well.

-> -> Start your reading here:  Homework for New Ex-Smokers  <- <- This is the HOLY GRAIL of Information to Start your Quit!

Additionally, the folder headings in gray on the left of the page under DISCUSSIONS house different topics.  Click on the gray heading to view the conversations held within.  When you finish with a folder, click on the drop down menu under DISCUSSIONS and select ALL to see all of the folders again.

Introductions/Newcomers Nook
A good place to start with numerous threads from new ex-smokers.

General Chit-Chat 
This is where you will find the daily NOPE thread.  NOPE stands for Not One Puff Ever, and members pledge NOPE on a daily basis.  Give it a try - you will probably find it helpful and empowering.

Quit Support
This is a good place to post for help when you need it ASAP. 
 
Dots(Weeks) and Stars (Months) Milestones and One Year and Beyond Milestones 
Read the accounts of people who are winning with cessation in these folders.

Quit Buddies Unite 
This folder is the home base for the groups who quit together.  This thread will move to that folder at the end of the first month.

Quit Smoking Library
Here you'll find member stories and links to important articles that will inform you about what to expect from smoking cessation.

I’m starting my quit again. Threw out all my smoking stuff and am even tossing my smoking jacket, since I’m sure I’d never get the stink out of it. 
Not feeling excited about how I’ll fell today, but am excited to not go out every hour in the storm we’re having! I’m in Northern California and the weather has been crazy the past week. Our electric company said the New Year’s Eve storm was the worst storm they’ve seen in our area in 30 years and the current storm rolling in is supposed to be worse.

I’m planning to get back to my cross stitch project and binge watch some tv. I’ve had some strange prison show I got sucked into, so I have it on in the background while I work on the cross stitch. I don’t normally watch prison shows, so I find it funny I got sucked into it, lol. 
Hopefully the day goes by easier than I’m expecting. 

First thoughts of putting off quitting are trying to creep in. I think I need to plan some kind of reward for when I make it through the day. Maybe I’ll get my husband to pick up some special drinks on his way home tonight. Perhaps Boba! In the meantime, I’m gonna eat a chocolate.

I feel you Jenny! I'm praying for you. Quitting is a hard thing to do, and facing the reality of life without smokes is definitely scary. Do what you can! We are all here for you, no matter what! 

Jerthie, thank you! I appreciate it very much. I’ve been such a yo-yo with quitting lately. I’m making it through today, though. 
How are you doing?

Jenny

Good for you Jenny! Take it easy. It will happen when it does. I'm okay. I am on a new medication. I was a bit anxious about this change, but it was necessary, as my mania was coming out and making me a bit anxious. Still using 5-6 lozenges a day. Still not quit, but I can't beat myself up over this anymore. The magic will happen for me when it does. For now, I have to see how I will feel and react to new medication. Just about to get to bed. Will write something more inspiring tomorrow!!

Jerthie, it’s inspiring every time I see you still here, keeping at it. I asked how you were then saw in another thread where you gave an update. I’m glad you’re doing well. Medication changes are scary, especially ones that effect our emotions. I hope it really helps you and keeps things more steady! 
Jenny

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