Ramona

In the past I tried: nicotine gum (cut my mouth up), the patch (gave me hives), e-cigg (made me feel like I had emphysema), hypnosis (cost me lots of money and only lasted 2 weeks), Zyban (made me suicidal), and cold turkey. Cold Turkey is the only way for me but BELIEVE ME I was open to anything that might bring me success. I firmly believe that support groups and education are the most effective means towards success...the rest is up to you.

The isolated urges are cunning. You'll be cruising along for days and days without the merest thought of a cigarette and then something will smash you in the face. They seem so much stronger than the ones you expect. I guess you should expect the unexpected at all times!

Don't let the busyness of the weekend trick you!!! Stay smoke-free - priority numero uno!!! You can do this!

An excellent tale of fortitude and resilience. Thanks for sharing.

Line up those triggers and knock them down all day long. There may be a sadness in quitting but there's also a happiness you haven't known in a long time. A happiness that extends beyond what you ever knew as a smoker...a calmness and confidence you never felt as a smoker. Look forward to those days because they are yours if you're wiling to fight for them.

Welcome Ricki I just celebrated 4 years off the booze and 4 months off the cigarettes by participating in a half-marathon. I improved my finish time by almost 20 minutes compared to when I was smoker. The thing is - I felt like I was running way slower (when in fact I had made a pretty significant improvement). That's what quitting has been like for me. Sometimes I don't respect how much my life has improved in these last 4 months. I tend to center my thoughts on the negative. I'm trying to stop this pattern because in reality my life improved immensely. I feel more confident, calm, and intimate. I can look people in the eye and hug them harder. No matter what happens I feel like I can (and will) survive because I have overcome this addiction. I don't have to stop at the store every day to buy a $10.50 pack. I don't have to gasp for air while I exercise because I'm in denial about what's actually happening in my poor, strained lungs. I don't have to worry about smelling bad or figuring out how to escape and get my fix wherever I go. I don't have to worry about long drives with non-smokers. And the list goes on and on. Keep up your quit and start making your way towards a life of freedom. Tell yourself you're doing great and focus on what has improved rather than focusing on any negative perceptions of the quit. The nicodemon will constantly attempt to trick you - see through its lies. You can do this!

Don't give up because you think you will never feel normal and/or alive again. You have to get through the murk to enjoy the clearer skies. You can do this. Take the battles on as they come. Believe in yourself!

I've read the WhyQuit books at least 3 times. This part always makes me super sad for this woman - like DEEP DOWN sad. And sad for all of us and the many times we sacrificed more joyous, important, family moments for the monotonous sucking-in of chemicals. This story is a somber and ACCURATE reminder of what an addicted life is like. Trapped, brainwashed, wanting/needing, and never being truly present. We are so blessed to have escaped.

Quitting sure aint for the meek and mild. It's bloody war.

This particular quit was motivated by my boyfriend's 55 year old uncle who has terminal esophageal/lung cancer due to smoking. He will not get to experience his retirement after working as a Police Officer for over 35 years. Also, 2 of my boyfriend's grandparents died young from smoking related diseases. Seems my BF's chances of staying healthy, if he continues to smoke, are not good. I want to be an example for him. I quit for me because freeing myself from this addiction is something I have always wanted. So far I have noticed greater confidence and self-esteem. This was a surprise side effect for me too Marti. I look forward to even greater feelings of self-worth. Serenity is another welcomed change. Though I do experience an occasional nightmare day(s), there are also days where I feel calmer than I ever did as an active smoker. Serenity is the best.

Is that a Border Collie? What a cuuuuutie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Great lesson. Thank you for sharing.

I like fresh smoke, not stale smoke. If I walk by someone actively smoking it smells good to me, but if someone comes inside from after their smoke, it smells pretty rancid & noxious. As a child I was allergic to smoke but once I started partying through my adolescence it became delicious. One of my first kisses was with a smoker named Chris Brown - he smoked Marlboro's. I wasn't a smoker at the time but I was a drinker! His smoke tasted dangerous and mature and sexy. I became a smoker not too long after that. And then later - an alcoholic too!!!! This weekend marks 4 months without nicotine and 4 years without booze. This makes me practically a Saint now, right?

Sheesh yes. New England. Clouds, ice, snow, wind, hail, gray, frost, slush, red-faces, chapped-lips, cracked and bleeding fingers, and COOOOOLD. I'll be ready when the next season makes her entrance. Mostly, like Babs mentioned, I look forward to a Spring of heightened earthy smells. My hikes are going to be a whole new experience. The colors brighter too. I want to smell EVERYTHING! Moss, dirt, rivers, fungi, flowers, trees, etc, etc. But I accept the weather now too. These days strengthen and fortify us!

I used to work at a bakery and this guy would come in lamenting how he could NOT get off the gum. No matter what he tried he could not stop chewing (and he'd been chewing it for like 5 years or something). He was literally always chewing it. Crazy.

I will have 4 months nicotine & smoke free on March 6th. These have not been easy months - indeed, I have found that my most intense challenges take place closer to now than back then. This has always been the case for me. I can consistently achieve 1,2,3 months. But making it to 4,5,6 (and on) has been nigh impossible. I smoked for 15 years (from age 16 till 31). I am praying that this quit is my final quit. I want to make it to one year!!! I have never achieved a year. The closest I came was 10 months back in 2009. Quitting smoking is priority #1 - - it is vital to my physical, emotional and (most importantly) spiritual growth & well being. Tears fall heavily and unpredictably without nicotine to glaze over my emotions. Many times I have returned to smoking due to uncontrollable bouts of weeping. This time I will not be ashamed to "cry it out." I will learn to accept & own my emotions. I have grief, anger, and self-destructive tendencies which refuse to be ignored...so I will feel them, go through them, and come out stronger on the other end. This is my intention. I am grateful to discover this forum where people seem genuinely concerned and gentle. I was once a member of the WhyQuit forum (back in 2007) and I wasn't allowed to return (due to a relapse). I appreciate how this community treats its members with more compassion and acceptance. Looking forward to knowing you all! TEW