MarylandQuitter

I would guess that the overwhelming reason that most people don't attempt or delay quitting smoking is out of fear. They fear that withdrawal is unbearable. They fear how hard it is because others told them it was. They're afraid because they think they'll be unable to cope with stress, enjoy alcohol, a meal, a night out with friends, morning coffee and the biggest one, the fear of ditching a familiar friend. Of course we all know that these are all lies but until the lies are exposed and you experience how much better life is after quitting, these fears stop a lot of people from taking the plunge. The Fear Of Success This video explains how many people are fearful of attempting a quit because they realize that they may actually succeed. The attached videos examine the reasons for this fear and will help smokers to understand that the fears they have of their lives being ruined are based on the false assumption that cigarettes were helping them to live as opposed to recognizing that smoking was ruining their lives in many ways. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHhWSOsWoBE&list=PLCDB8BA311D538113&index=9 Related videos: Resources explaining interaction between nicotine and stress https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHbpX... Quitting smoking can make you calmer, happier and healthier http://youtu.be/7K038NtxO6o "I'll never be as productive again if I quit smoking" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8awQ... The Fear Of Relapsing Video explains how many people are fearful of even attempting a quit because they are convinced that even if by some miracle they succeed, they will likely lose the quit at some future point in time. This video explains why they may have this fear and what resources we have to deal with it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoWuSG8W_2E Related videos: Complacency https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZSkt... Lost long term quits https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJeHt... I know I will quit again https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHp8y... Past successful quits https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39An4... If I relapse I will smoke until it kills me https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCRLo... Smoking a cigarette will help me to secure my quit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YY6tA...

Done. Now just create your blog and I can help you with the rest. :) FYI, I deleted all the links. :)

I don't think you ever created a blog and instead just hit "blog this" because your blog is external only. I'll delete the blog and you can create a new one and then blog each entry so it's all in your blog. Once that's done, you can add all your new entries to your blog instead of this thread. :)

Good to see you, Rob. Congrats on on 650 days. :)

The fire hose scene was awesome!

What are some examples of thinking that should send up a red flag that somebody is romanticizing smoking? As we know, relapse is always planned and usually starts with romancing the cigarette well before conscience choice to take a puff is made. Since I will always be a nicotine addict I must expect, detect and then reject any thoughts of romancing smoking because if I start to entertain those thoughts, the seed of relapse will be planted. Any thoughts that smoking somehow benefits you in any way is a red flag. If you think that it's too hard to stay quit is another good one. It's harder to smoke and maintain the constant state of withdrawal than it is to break the addiction once and forever.

What are some examples of thinking that should send up a red flag that somebody is romanticizing smoking? As we know, relapse is always planned and usually starts with romancing the cigarette well before conscience choice to take a puff is made. Please join in our weekly discussion. http://www.quittrain.com/topic/3390-wk46-group-discussion-how-to-recognize-if-youre-romanticizing-the-cigarette/

Not that I'm aware of...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBPSr4TsQkI

You're not losing and it's quite the opposite. If the problem is the Chantix (or even part of it), see if your doctor might want you to stop completely. You don't need that to quit as you're already quit and those meds can mess with ya.

If you want to know, click the spoiler.

MQ here.

I read a spoiler but nobody is for sure what will happen...although some think they know.

Evelyn, you have come so far since I first met you. You're far more confident than you once were and you're not afraid to take the bull by the horns. I'm proud of you not just because you're beating the crap out of your nicotine addiction but more so because of who you are. You're a strong, strong woman. I can see it plain as day.

But it had to be done. CARL!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czybZ-J_X9g

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OecZW2kDnM0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_VLzElVlTE

Written while the Vietnam War was in full swing and so was the draft...great little piece here. :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m57gzA2JCcM

Completely normal! You can't remove something that was so intertwined in your life, much less something so addictive and expect to not think of it from time to time or even often. For everybody it's different. Dreams of smoking are powerful and the last one I had I woke up, made coffee and logged into the forum and started reading; the entire time thinking in the back of my mind that I had relapsed! After the powerful cup of black water sparked my brain back to life, I sighed a breath of relief that I was still reeling from the dream and in a bit of a fog. I think of smoking every day. The day I completely forget that I was a smoker is the day I could fall into a trap. I'm not going to try and pretend that I never smoked and it doesn't bother that I used to. I hate the fact that I used to but I can't go back and change it. When I remember that I used to smoke I feel good about what I've achieved as a non-smoker and it just plain gives me peace. When I was smoking the last thing I had was peace because of the inner turmoil knowing that I shouldn't be poisoning myself to an early grave. Well, that's my 2¢. :)

Welcome, Kristin! Congrats on 6 days. :) Check out some of the pinned topics in the Quit Smoking Discussions Forum and especially Joel's video library.

Love this! You're 100% right, it's a freaking con-job. Once we realize that we never really truly enjoyed smoking, the conflict is removed and we no longer feel like we're depriving ourselves of something.

:read:

There are a couple of changes that I need to make but you won't have to make new tickers. When the changes are made it will just show in your current tickers. :)