efficacy

Wow Lily, great analogy with the broken leg! Impatience has been my issue with past quits and the depression really takes it's toll. I just need to remember to get comfortable with being uncomfortable for a short time (can't remember who on this forum said this).

Yes, this makes perfect sense! Thank you MarylandQuitter! I trust you all will remind me of this when my junkie brain tries to convince me otherwise.

Thank you Rozuki! I definitely admit I'm a nicotine addict! I have no major health issues that I know of yet but have that smoker's cough and constant sinus infections. I know it's time to quit now, the thought of what I've done to my health scares the dickens out of me.

That's why I put peace in quotes...it was anything but. I do look forward to the real peace of being a nonsmoker. Isn't it crazy how we thought we were hiding it from people?

It's posts like this that make me realize I can do this! I need to simply put my head down and keep marching...(someone posted something like this?)

I just joined desperate1 and quit smoking not quite 2 hours ago. You're already helping me by stating your anxiety has eased up. I've let my anxiety get the best of me in the past which only leads me back to smoking. Which for me, creates even more anxiety. Craziness...

I feel like there are two parts to me, the rational, logical one who knows smoking does nothing for me and then the junkie one. The junkie brain has won in the past over and over again. I'm reading the book The Chimp Paradox that was recommended several years ago on this forum. It discusses these two different parts of the brain.

Thanks johnny5! Yeah, the isolation is the craziest part. I was just so ashamed of my smoking, the stench, everything about it and the stigma surrounding smoking. The constant beating myself up about it. Family and close friends knew I smoked but I tried not to smoke around them. I didn't smoke at all around others or in certain situations. So, I either used NRT's or suffered withdrawal until I could get back to the safety of my house and smoke in "peace."

Thank you Martian5! Yes, I am familiar with the board, just need to learn all the ins and outs of responding to posts now.

Thanks Boo! I've seen how so many of you have formed close friendships. I'll wish I had joined sooner. Thanks Jillar too! I'm looking forward to getting to know you all!

Thank you reciprocity! Glad to know there is someone else like me concerning social media activity. I agree with you that this place is different. I've watched how you all welcome everyone with open arms and supported someone going through tough times. It just took some time for me to get over my fear of becoming a joiner and accept support. Addiction likes to play with our brain and have us believe no one else understands. I go through quite the anxiety and depression when quitting and the nicotine junkie gives in time and time again. Of course I have wicked anxiety and lingering depression when smoking anyway so I need to give this the time it needs. Smoking has eroded any self confidence I have but I have seen time and again here how people have posted their life is beyond their wildest dreams now. I want that for me too, I just didn't believe it was possible for me for some reason. I did have a 6 week quit 2 years ago that failed before I learned about triggers. It wasn't a situation I had encountered before and threw me for a loop. I'm more educated now. I've been psyching myself out since that failed quit and haven't been able to get beyond a few days since then. My FIL was ill all last year so gave up even trying (perfect excuse right?) since I was the one taking involved in his medical care since I'm not working right now.

Hello all, I've quit cold turkey at 6:30 pm (EST) today, about 30 minutes ago....for the millionth time. I've been a smoker for 25 years and have wanted to quit for the majority of that time but never thought I could until I found Joel and the why quit site and then found the Quit Train through another quit site that is no longer around. That's how long I've been lurking! I feel like I know a lot of you already that's how much reading I've done. I'm not much for social media, have never joined an online forum for anything but I can't do this on my own anymore. I've isolated myself the last several years, easier to stay at home and smoke and hate myself all the while. My social circle does not smoke, either they never have or quit years ago. My neighbor does smoke & she's been quite the enabler, lol. Anyway, wanted to finally join before I lose my nerve again. I'm just sick and tired of being sick and tired...