I quit on 2 November 2025 at 12:00 CET

[GonSo]

I quit on 2 November at noon. So in about 1.5 hour I have not smoked for 4 days.  I stopped buying on the 2nd of November and have saved already 62.50 Euro's.

 

Reason to stop: there was a storm and I could not go outside to smoke. Smoked inside the house but had a visitor in a couple of days. Embarrassing.

Of course the other main reason was there, but it was since I started smoking in 1982: health. My father died at age 50, due to sudden death caused by smoking. 

 

A big reason as well is now the cost. As you can see above it is huge (12.50/day = 87.50/week = 380/month = 4562.5/year) and prices continue to go up and I simply cannot afford it anymore. 

 

Did a lot of reading. Had to reset one time as initially stopped at 30 October but failed at 1 november right after my visitor left..... 

 

I made a list of activities to keep myself busy. But the list is still as long. I am not doing so much extra. Looks like I am more observing myself and my quitting process. Not sure if that is good or bad. Although, the weather is nice and I made yesterday and the day before that an extra long walk with my dog. 

Can't see any juice anymore and switched back to 2 pieces of fruit/day between meals. 

 

[DenaliBlues]

Welcome @GonSo. It’s great to hear that you have quit and that it’s going well so far. This is a great place for support, encouragement and fellowship with other souls who know what it’s like to be hooked on smoking… and who know what it’s like to break free once and for all! Read all you can. If you feel yourself wavering, post here before relapsing. The initial withdrawal can be bumpy, but it gets better soon. See you around! 

[QuittingGirl]

Hi @GonSo Welcome to The Quit Train, We are very glad you have found our site, and you will find a ton of support here, from member advice to so much information on the dangers of smoking, and how to quit successfully.  Quitting smoking is a journey that we all know is not an easy one, but it's definitely doable and so worth it in the end. We have quitters here from newbies, such as yourself,  all the way up to 20+ years and everything in between.  

Our best advice for you in the beginning is to come on this site every day, if you can, and do the daily Nope pledge because it will keep you focused.  If you ever find yourself where you feel you are going to give in and smoke, there is an SOS section.  Since our members are from all over the world, there is usually someone around most of the time.  To help you get your mind off of smoking there is a Games section too.  The most popular game is Chicks and Sticks, go and check it out, it's a load of fun!

 

Smoking sure is a very expensive habit and getting more expensive by the day!  With all the money you are saving, you should buy yourself something for each milestone that you reach!

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask, and I look forward to seeing you here again soon.

Welcome Aboard!
 

[GonSo]

Thanks for the welcome and the tips!

 

The afternoon walk with the dog was half walk half jogging. Might start to like running. 

Later this afternoon me and my dog go to visit my mum, This will be tricky as I then normally bought cigarettes at the nearby gasstation. So, I will bring no card or cash when leaving the house. 

[Paul723]

Read all you can about nicotine addiction so that you know what you have to overcome.  It helped me to understand the brain chemistry that nicotine had created.  Keep going!

[Doreensfree]

Hello and welcome aboard.

Take your seat am buckle up , sometimes the journey to Freedom can be quite bumpy.

Read all the posts on the Main Discussion Board, there is so much useful information there .

Knowledge is power 

Looking forward to helping you along on your journey

[Reciprocity]

Great decision @GonSo!

 

So much of a successful quit is learning how to reshape your dialy life to include things you like or can learn to like that don't include smoking. Smoking injects itself into every facet of daily  life so giving it the boot really rocks our world initially but with a steadfast commitment to quitting & a positive attitude; you can become the person your really deserve to be. We're here to support you along the way, especially in early days so lean on us when you're questioning things, we've been there and done that!

 

When you drive past that station where you always bought a pack of smokes, shake your fist at the place and tell them; "You're not getting another penney of MY money!" Be defiant; be proud!!

 

Also, focus on the positives you see (money saved being a big one) and not on the mental challenges we all tend to have in the early days. Those don't last all that long whereas the benefits of quitting last a lifetime. You can do it!!

[BKP]

Welcome aboard @GonSo

 

Sounds like you have some very compelling reasons to quit.

• Your health
• Your family history
• Affordability
• Social stigma (embarrassment)
• Foul smell

Keep this quit going and you'll soon have a list of positive benefits to replace the adverse effects.  Stay strong....you're doing great!

[GonSo]

7 days, 7x24 hours not smoked!

I feel not too bad. In the evenings of my 4th and 5th day I almost had a chronic crave. It was not intens but it was going on for hours. Did not expect that but told myself it did not hurt, was not itchy. Just a feeling.

Yesterday evening I had a very innocent thought as to smoke a cigarette. The thought I would have as a smoker. My eyes already at the coffee table where my pack normally would be. Do not remember having a crave at that moment. It frightened me a bit. But still not smoked since 2 November 12:00 o'clock.

 

I bought some books to reward myself as I saved 87.5 Euro's. 

 

I will continue with not smoking today. NOPE.

I wish you all a nice Sunday!

[QuittingGirl]

You are doing great @GonSo   Just take it one day at a time, one hour at a time or one minute at a time, if you need to.  You will get there and the longer you stay quit, the faster the cravings will go away.  I was a basket case in the beginning, but after around the 2 month mark the cravings started to decrease.  What worked for me in those beginning months were taking cinnamon sticks and pretending they were cigarettes.  I would suck in the air and pretend to blow the smoke out.  They really did help me, plus they tasted great.  If you don't like cinnamon, you can use cut up straws.  Anything to help you get over the addiction.

 

Stay close to this forum and you will succeed! 

[DenaliBlues]

I had very similar experiences @GonSo. The nicotine is all out of your system now, but the addiction is still there, the compulsion is still deeply ingrained. The cravings last a while but their strength will ebb as your quit grows.

 

You did the right thing to just ignore it! Focusing on cravings can intensify them. Remember that cravings aren’t commands… just loud obnoxious commercials for junk you don’t wanna buy. Change the channel… distract yourself, go for a walk, shift your attention. 

 

You can do this!!!

[Doreensfree]

Well done 

Everytime you win a battle the end of the 

War is nearer …

Some things are so worth fighting for

[Reciprocity]

The others have said it all  @GonSo! You're mental focus sounds perfect. Understanding those thoughts are just cravingw and not something you must act on. Distraction is key when those ugly thoughts come to you. You are through what we call Hell Week (the first 7 days). That's when things are at their worst because we've not developed tools to deal with the onslaught of intense feelings yet. Sounds like you realize this alrerady, which is great! Keep doing what you're doing and things will get better with time. Stay on guard at all times and be ready to fight for that new smoke-free life you deserve.

[QuittingGirl]

Excellent advice from everyone!  Now just apply it @GonSo and you will be good to go! 

[catlover]

Welcome GonSo, sounds you are doing really great, spend as much time here as you can, it really helps to read all you can and keep focussed. Love that you have rewarded  yourself with some books, treats help motivation too.

stay determined… all the best.