I needed to write this one down, LL!
Hubby says I have tried to quit 703 times (He jokes alot.) The first time I tried to quit was in 1988, so that explains why he feels that way, it has been a very long time.
With this quit I waited until I thought I had my head in the right place. I came here, (for the second time) on March 6th, 2007.
I thought I knew alot about quitting, I thought I had all the knowledge that I needed. But I knew squat!
I read and I read, and I read, and then I printed everything down and then I read some more. The more I learned, my confidence grew. I felt positive, I felt excited, I was ready for the fight and I expected it to be tough.
About the third week into my quit I was reading a post written by Lamplighter, (imagine that!) to someone else about "closing the door and don't look back" I had an awakening! (I know you guys are moaning.) OK, it felt like a slap, 'Wake up you idiot' moment.
My thought at that time was:
"Oh My God, I can never have another drag of a cigarette ever again, no matter what. I am an addict!"
I had never paid attention to the psycological side of the quit and I realized that is the most important part.
No wonder I failed before.
Having that wake up moment didn't make things easier but it did give it a finality so to speak, because now it became "Smoking is not an option, it's totally off the menu, it can't even be a consideration."
or "Thou shalt not smoke!" if you please.
I noticed that there were groups od people who quit the same month sticking together, so I tried to gather the March quitters. That proved to be a great help to all of us, to travel this journey together, it did indeed, make it easier then.
A few battles with the blues gave me grief.(Vitamin B comples does so help very much.) A few lessons in learning, "emotions 101" all over again. (Yes us women do so have it tougher for that very reason.)
To now feeling free, calmer, more self aware and more self assured, and with each event that I succeed thru as a non smoker it builds my confidence and self esteem. I am constantly amazed at how much I have learned and how reamrkable this journey has been, and continues to be as I discover the new me.
This past weekend my son was visiting and he had neglected taking his meds for a few days and had a seizure while here. I lost my quit when he had the first one....eight years ago. This time, I had a crave, but a couple of deep breaths and checking on him and I was OK. And he is OK too.)
So tips for newbies:
Learn, learn, learn everything you possibly can about what happens to you, when you quit, how you will feel, how it affects you and if it's not here - google it.
Realize you are an ADDICT. Watch a documentary on addiction and appply it to your own life (ie. Intervention on A&E)
Take a deep breath and repeat after me:
"It is done! I can never ever take another drag from a cigarette, ever again, no matter what!"
Now, God willing, I hope to be here at my one yr, 2 yr, 5 and 10 yr anniversaries. Although, I know I am human and sometimes crap happens but if I can help it, it's NOPE - No matter what!
Thank you Lamplighter! :)
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B]3/5/2007
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 136
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 3,400
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1,434.80
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 16 [B]Hrs:[/B] 16 [B]Mins:[/B] 57 [B]Seconds:[/B] 27
