Third times a charm

[JoJo]

Hi all,

I’m glad I found this forum. I’m here to declare that ‘third times a charm’ and it will be my forever quit!!

 I have been smoking for many years.  I started vaping a couple of years ago in an attempt to replace cigarettes, so now I smoke a several cigarettes a day and I vape a lot too. Ugh.

Tomorrow , July 28th, I will start Chantix. It has worked for me in the past without too many side effects.

My quit day is August 4th.  I will be reading up on this site, checking in, supporting others and pledging NOPE daily. I will get rid of all cigarettes and vapes.  I will drink lots of water, eat healthy snacks and exercise. I will use a fidget ring and this weird flavored air thing that I got.  

Doing these things will not be easy, but I can and will do this!

I appreciate having this space to put my plan in writing. Thanks for being here.

[Nancy]

Welcome, JoJo...your plan is almost identical to the one I had 13 years ago and I am still and always will be quit.  I just want to caution you that nothing has worked for you in the past, as you are still smoking and vaping.  I quit using Chantix, so I am not criticizing using it.  It is your new determination that will carry you through to success and we are behind you all the way!!

[DenaliBlues]

Welcome to the Train @JoJo! So glad to have you with us. Learn all you can about nicotine addiction and stay in touch with this group - the positive reinforcement really does help. Let us know how Day #1 is going tomorrow! 

 

[GonSo]

Hi JoJo, welcome to the train! Glad you decided to quit. Please read as much as you can about nicotine and nicotine addiction. This knowledge will support you in your quit. 

[SD2026]

Welcome! @JoJo  Well done on getting back into it and making this your final quit! You seem to have a plan in place which is great! Preparation is key!  Do check in daily and read everything you can and watch the videos too, they're an eye opener! 

 

Good luck on your first day of your journey to freedom! 

 

[Doreensfree]

Hello and welcome jojo

We have tons of helpful information on our Main Discussion Board .

Check out all the posts pinned in green .

You can do it,you just need to want it bad enough

Looking forward to getting to know you better

[Minnie Mouse]

Unfortunately, you are not alone where you find yourself today.  So many chose to vape in the hope of quitting smoking but instead as you and everyone else discovered all it did is increase the "want" for more and more nicotine by changing the mechanics of getting it.  An addiction to nicotine is still an addiction regardless of the device used.  The only way out is to discontinue its use in all forms.   (The vaping industry makes me soooooo mad can you tell lol).

 

You can do this.  Educate yourself (read, read read;  find the bullet points that speak to you and send you over the wall of "no going back") and do your prep work (plan, tools, mantras, lists, rewards, etc.).  You have to choose freedom every day in the beginning and be willing to go through whatever it takes to get yourself off the merry-go-round of active addiction.  No shortcuts.  Total abstinence is key.   NOPE.  Not One Puff Ever.  Break the chains.  Best Wishes.

 

 

[JoJo]

Hi all, thanks for the encouragement and support. Today is the 7th day of my Chantix ramp-up. Tomorrow I start taking the full dose. And tomorrow, August 4th, is my quit day!! I've been watching Joel's videos, making lists of why I'm quitting and how I'm going to do it, telling friends and family my plan and getting my tools ready. Tonight I will get rid of all vapes and cigs. Tomorrow I will be here to pledge NOPE and check-in. I know the first few days will be the hardest but I will tough it out and be rewarded in so many ways. I'm ready to say b'bye to that nasty ball and chain.

JoJo 

[Minnie Mouse]

It's such a pleasure to have someone truly committed to their quit and doing all the prep work for success!  You sound like a winner already!  

 

 

[Doreensfree]

You have put some tools in your tool box 

You can do it ….Well done

[Stewbum]

How ya doing JoJo?

[JoJo]

12 hours ago, Stewbum said:

How ya doing JoJo?

Thanks for asking. Today is my 12th day with no smoking or vaping! It's getting easier but of course there are still triggers popping up. I just do a little box breathing and they go away. Last night I went to dinner and a play with some friends. It was so awesome to enjoy every moment without thinking about when I could go smoke!!

[Doreensfree]

A nice positive post @JoJo

Its wonderful not having to rush outside in the interval..just to calm the monster 

Congratulations

[Stewbum]

JoJo. 

When the craves hit I always try to think of something that makes me happy it changes my mindset.

My first thoughts always go to Bob Marley, Don't Worry Be Happy. 

 

Glad you are doing well and see the future with a sense of reality knowing these crave's will happen.

The benefit's of not smoking far outweigh being trapped by that senseless deadly addiction. 

This is also my "Third Time's A Charm" 

KTQ

Stew.

[QuittingGirl]

You are doing great @JoJo Just remember the longer you don't smoke, the more the cravings will go away!  You got this!!

[JoJo]

Yesterday I had a really big trigger. My favorite NFL team's first preseason game. I got through the game with a little discomfort but it was definitely worth it!. It's good for me to make it through a few preseason games before the regular season starts. I get really amped during games and used to take many smoke breaks. No more of that!!! NOPE!

Go Saints! 

[SD2026]

You're doing amazing @JoJo   Some days will hit harder than others just make sure you're always prepared to bat those cravings away! 

[DenaliBlues]

Yeah, some ritual associations take longer to re-wire. Good for you for staying strong as you pass through that phase.

 

For me it was writing+smoking and also being outside+smoking. But there's a happy ending in store for you. I'm now able to do both without being triggered (or miserable). The same will be true for you! 

 

Stew, I love "Don't Worry" being on your quitting soundtrack. My own soundtrack included, "On My Way" by Rusted Root, "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor, "Think" by Aretha Franklin and "Never Goin Back" by Fleetwood Mac. Oh, and sometimes the Rockapella version of "Road to Shambala." It's hard to relapse when you're dancing like a fool in your living room, LOL.

 

@JoJo what songs belong on your quitting "greatest hits" list?

 

KTQ! 

[JoJo]

22 hours ago, DenaliBlues said:

Yeah, some ritual associations take longer to re-wire. Good for you for staying strong as you pass through that phase.

 

For me it was writing+smoking and also being outside+smoking. But there's a happy ending in store for you. I'm now able to do both without being triggered (or miserable). The same will be true for you! 

 

Stew, I love "Don't Worry" being on your quitting soundtrack. My own soundtrack included, "On My Way" by Rusted Root, "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor, "Think" by Aretha Franklin and "Never Goin Back" by Fleetwood Mac. Oh, and sometimes the Rockapella version of "Road to Shambala." It's hard to relapse when you're dancing like a fool in your living room, LOL.

 

@JoJo what songs belong on your quitting "greatest hits" list?

 

KTQ! 

Thanks @DenaliBluesThose are great songs! I need to come up with a quitting soundtrack!! hmm.. something to do during football timeouts and commercial breaks

[SD2026]

On 8/17/2026 at 3:29 PM, DenaliBlues said:

Yeah, some ritual associations take longer to re-wire. Good for you for staying strong as you pass through that phase.

 

For me it was writing+smoking and also being outside+smoking. But there's a happy ending in store for you. I'm now able to do both without being triggered (or miserable). The same will be true for you! 

 

Stew, I love "Don't Worry" being on your quitting soundtrack. My own soundtrack included, "On My Way" by Rusted Root, "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor, "Think" by Aretha Franklin and "Never Goin Back" by Fleetwood Mac. Oh, and sometimes the Rockapella version of "Road to Shambala." It's hard to relapse when you're dancing like a fool in your living room, LOL.

 

@JoJo what songs belong on your quitting "greatest hits" list?

 

KTQ! 

Great song choices! @DenaliBlues  I agree with having a playlist! I used to listen to a lot of music during the toughest few months and it really did help!  One was Eye of the Tiger by Survivor. I was not giving in when listening to that lol

[Doreensfree]

I listened to Queen a lot on my I pod 

yes I pod .. well it was 13 years ago lol

Full blast dancing around the place 

Music was a massive part of my Quit

[DenaliBlues]

Me too @Doreensfree!!

 

I actually STILL have an iPod Mini that I keep audio books and music on… including Queen’s  Night at the Opera and Day at the Races! Have been nursing that little ipod along for all these years, and I still listen to it every day. It was a huge part of my quit, too. I kept it in my pocket for power walks and spontaneous boogie sessions. 

[JoJo]

@SD2026 @DenaliBlues @Doreensfree I Love it!

[Doreensfree]

27 minutes ago, DenaliBlues said:

Me too @Doreensfree!!

 

I actually STILL have an iPod Mini that I keep audio books and music on… including Queen’s  Night at the Opera and Day at the Races! Have been nursing that little ipod along for all these years, and I still listen to it every day. It was a huge part of my quit, too. I kept it in my pocket for power walks and spontaneous boogie sessions. 

I still have mine too , and listen to it when I’m doing garden work

We are on the same page

[Stewbum]

On 8/16/2026 at 6:34 PM, JoJo said:

Yesterday I had a really big trigger. My favorite NFL team's first preseason game. I got through the game with a little discomfort but it was definitely worth it!. It's good for me to make it through a few preseason games before the regular season starts. I get really amped during games and used to take many smoke breaks. No more of that!!! NOPE!

Go Saints! 

Geaux Saints.... maybe this year? I am of the era when living in the south we went to the games with paper bags just in case. I have 2 teams now, Saints from the heart and Seahawks since I am here.