Zena, the first month or so is hard. The first 5 months, or so, will be difficult at times. (These are what I perceive as averages, and not everyone experiences their quits this way) BUT... if you have a good attitude, if you insist on enjoying your life, focusing on the good that is within you and around you...rather than pining away for a smoke, it won't be nearly as difficult as it would otherwise be.
The first two weeks are generally the "desperation" weeks. After that you begin to feel much better, though certainly not entirely comfortable with being a non-smoker yet. You have to be willing to give it time. It's a process, and you need to give it all the time it takes... however long it takes.
If I was to pinpoint the one critical thing that determines how hard quitting is... it's this; if you've left the door open, if you've told yourself that you'll stay quit "unless it gets too tough" or "unless it takes too long"... or qualify it in any way... that makes it tougher. If you determine that you've shut the door and nothing will cause you to go back, that you've already become a non-smoker and that fact is not up for negotiation... your quit will be much easier.
If it's done, you'll be happier and more serene. If you've set conditions on what you're willing to put up with in order to be smoke-free... it will be much more painful. And... you'll probably smoke again.
So, don't allow your quit to be subject to anything. You've quit. End of story. Now you just go through the process.
It works that way, Xena. Honest. :)
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B]3/6/2007
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 214
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 5,350
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1,979.50
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 34 [B]Hrs:[/B] 11 [B]Mins:[/B] 59 [B]Seconds:[/B] 1
