I’m 23 years old and I’ve been smoking for about 8 years. At this point I’m just really fed up with giving into my addiction. Not only does it cost me money which I could save or spend on important stuff, but it’s also something that I feel ashamed about due to wanting to be a good role model to my little brother whom I feel responsible for. That being said, I’m glad to be here and read everyone’s inspiring experiences regarding this struggle.

Hi Ermita, I don’t know if you posted somewhere else on here, but it looks like this one got missed, so I just want to say hello and that I hope you’re doing well! Have you made it through your 3 days? Those are absolutely the worst.
 

I’m restarting my quit that’s been an on again off again deal this past year. I was 24 the first time I quit and I made it 2 years. That was 20 years ago. I think the thing that helped me the most back then was that I knew I didn’t want to be a smoker for the rest of my life. My son was 3 and that’s not what I wanted for him. I had a couple relapses at the very beginning, but kept throwing out what I had left. I quickly realized I was going to waste a lot of money if I kept that up, lol, so I committed to not doing it again. 
I very much wish I had never picked up another cigarette, but time can make us forget how easy it is to get hooked and how hard it is to quit. I’ve never smoked for as much time as I did before my first quit, so I guess that’s something good.  I’ve heard 3 years is a magic number for it being so much better, so I hope to get there this time. For now, I’m planning on getting through today. 
 

Jenny

Thanks for sharing your journey with me! I didn’t start until two days ago because I had to deal with a stressful situation. I’ve read somewhere that it’s better to quit during a stress free time. Right now I’m fighting these bad cravings by cleaning up my apartment because it somehow distracts me just enough. I’ve been incredibly anxious and on edge but I’m trying to remind myself that this is actually a good thing. I’m cheering for the both of us!

Welcome Eremita! and hello again Jenny- I am thinking of quitting the lozenges all together now. No more of this 5 a day, 6 a day. It's killing me, timing my next one, waiting for the next one, etc. I am just getting over a bad craving. I almost asked my colleague for a smoke, that's how bad it was. I will write more another time... My dinner break is over.

Eremita,

It’s great you got through 2 days!! Have you been able to keep it going? 
I also read it’s best to quit during stress free times. I’m not sure how that works for some people since there always seems to be stress. I guess it depends on the amount of stress? It can be easy to put off a quit, waiting for the right time, so I decided to go for it in the middle of a very stressful time right now. I don’t really see a good time anytime soon, though, so it was either now during stress or later during stress. I hope you have better luck with less stress!

Cleaning is an excellent way to stay occupied during the hard times. I think staying busy in general is. I have a cross stitch I’ve been working on which is helping keep my hands busy. I’m making it for my daughter’s teacher, so it makes me happy to see the progress and think that she’ll love it. It’s my daughter’s last year in high school and she’s had this music teacher since kindergarten. She taught her to play violin and flute and directed the musicals each year that she was always in. The cross stitch is of two kids playing musical instruments. One is a violin, so I think it’s perfect.

I’ve made it to 2 weeks today! Definitely had some close calls when I wanted to buy a pack and put things off another week or so, but so far I’ve fought through them and am glad I did. 
 

Jenny