Starting Over

[Minnie Mouse]

Did you smoke again after being quit?  

 

Did you post for help & wait for at least three (3) responses?  If you still needed help, did you post again (& again)?  

 

Did you go buy cigarettes & a lighter or did you already have them on hand?  

 

What will you be doing different the next time (if there even is one)?  If nothing changes, nothing will change for you.  You need to reassess your Quit Plan before you quit again.  

 

Do you believe it is harder for you to quit smoking than for others?  That’s self-defeating talk.  You are not unique.  It’s doable for you too.  Taking the word “try” out of your vocabulary & thinking would be a good start.

  

The reason it gets harder & harder to quit again is because you keep giving yourself permission to smoke.  Once given it’s harder to say no.  Only you & you alone are in charge of the “permissions gate” for yourself.  Tell yourself NO and mean it.

 

You learn how to stay quit by not smoking.  You learn how to navigate life’s ups & downs without smoking … by not smoking.  Simple.  I didn’t say easy.  It’s always a choice.  Yours.  Choose to be done with smoking.  Best Wishes.

 

(Written by me 12-3-20 "somewhere else".   Hope it helps someone here.  You may get to where quitting is not a problem; it's the staying quit that is ... it takes personal commitment and a willingness to change yourself.)

 

 

[QuittingGirl]

Very good post @Minnie Mouse

 

The first time I quit I went back unfortunately after 6 years, but I do believe that if I found this site, I wouldn't have gone back because the support is wonderful, our members are amazing and thats why I believe the support I have gotten in the last almost 3 years, is because of you, (you all know who you are! ) Thankfully, I found this site!  Support is the key!! Just like alcoholics, food addicts, drug addics, etc., if they have support, I truly believe that we all can make it.

Edited April 14 by QuittingGirl

[Minnie Mouse]

As Johann Hari would say, "The opposite of addiction is not smobriety ("sobriety").  The opposite of addiction is connection."

 

Nobody says we have to quit alone.  Support is a key tool to use in our "Tool Box".  That  being said, we must always be our biggest cheerleader.  We are the only ones with ourselves 24/7 (positive self-talk mantras do help!).  Nobody can do it for anyone else no matter how much we wish it for someone else.    

[SD2026]

I had blocked the day I went back smoking again however it has now been unlocked so I'll share   It was Summer and I was meeting a friend who I had not seen for months for lunch and drinks.  I remember the warmth of the sun and feeling so happy and excited to see her.  Before I had even arrived at our meeting point, I saw a store nearby and paused for a minute because at that moment I wanted to smoke.  I didn't hesitate much which surprised me, I walked in, bought a pack and a lighter and smoked.  That's the scary thing, I was happy, excited, life was good and I still managed to fail. I swore I wouldn't quit a gain as I didn't see any point but luckily I failed at that too because here I am! 

 

I don't believe it's harder for me to quit than for others however I do think those with an all or nothing personality can fail too easily.  

You're right, quitting is not the hard part for me, it's staying quit.  Great post @Minnie Mouse