Hey New Quitter, if you’re “the one”, then I was just like you.  You know, the one who absolutely, positively could not quit smoking.  I was the one who really really wanted to quit, but just couldn’t do it.  I was the one who freaked out at 2AM because I only had 1 cigarette left.  I was the one who always drove myself to functions, because I couldn’t smoke in other people’s cars.  I smoked for 30 years, and wanted to quit for about 29 of them.  The last few years, I was smoking 2 packs a day, everyday.  You’ll notice my join date is 1.22.05, but my quit date is 5.05.05.  Why?  Because I just couldn’t find the “right” time to quit.  Today I had to work, or go to the doc, or pick up kids, or twiddle my thumbs – tomorrow would always be better.  The problem?  Tomorrow was never better.  I changed my quit date over and over and over.  Couldn’t take the plunge.

So, what happened?  How did I FINALLY quit?  I just got fed up with the whole mess – the cough, the exhaustion after a flight of stairs, the cost, the worry (you know, those horrible disease worries), and the climbing-the-walls-when-am-I-going-to-be-able-to-have-a-cigarette times.

Want to quit?  This is what you do.  Find yourself a buddy or buddies on the SSC.  Live on your computer whenever possible. (I didn’t get much accomplished this summer – BUT, I quit smoking.  The house isn’t going to fall down because it’s dirty.)  Read and post as much as you need to.  Find yourself a mentor.  There were several people on site when I quit whose posts were just what I needed.  I searched for their earlier posts and read them all.  Find a post that really speaks to you and carry it with you always.  Whenever you even think about buying cigarettes, take it out and read it – the crave will pass.  I also copied photos of my children onto the post I carried, and promised myself that I’d stare at those photos while I smoked that first cigarette.

Tips from many members:  breathe through straws, suck hard candy, practice yoga, use relaxation tapes, don’t smoke for just this one millisecond – and then, the next, take up a new hobby that takes both hands or can’t be done while smoking, read The Easyway to Stop Smoking, and REWARD yourself (This is important.  It trains your brain to believe NOT smoking is rewardin

Quitting Smoking can be stressful so be prepared for it and you will stay quit.

Causes of Stress
Both positive and negative events in one's life can be stressful. However, major life changes are the greatest contributors of stress for most people.

How to Reduce Stress
Many stresses can be changed, eliminated, or minimized.
Here are some things you can do to reduce your level of stress:

·     Become aware of your own reactions to stress.
·     Reinforce positive self-statements.
·     Focus on your good qualities and accomplishments.
·     Avoid unnecessary competition.
·     Develop assertive behaviors.
·     Recognize and accept your limits. Remember that everyone is  unique and different.
·     Get a hobby or two. Relax and have fun.
·     Exercise regularly.
·     Eat a balanced diet daily.
·     Talk with friends, a support group or someone you can trust about your worries/problems.
·     Learn to use your time wisely.
.     Evaluate how you are budgeting your time.
.     Plan ahead and avoid procrastination.
.     Make a weekly schedule and try to follow it.
·     Set realistic goals.
·     Set priorities.
·     Take frequent short breaks.

Practice relaxation techniques. For example, whenever you feel tense, slowly breathe in and out for several minutes.

~all the best
N2k

The SSC is a wonderful, life-saving site.  The support here has been instrumental in my quit.  Everyday I come on site and read great positive posts, people parading their stats, and posts where people from all over the world are helping someone in need.  I also see many posts where members are complaining about their lives, their jobs, their families, and their anger.  These posts DON’T bother me.  Quitting smoking is quite difficult, and everyone needs a place to rant and complain.  What does bother me is that, I worry that some are not learning to cope without smoking.  If you don’t learn to manage your anger and your “woe is me” attitude without smoking, you’re going to end up losing your quit.

Some background:  My first husband died of bone cancer when I was 23 years old.  I am a 16 year cancer survivor –( dermafibrosarcoma protuberans – shoulder).  I have never been totally without food; but at one point in my life, I owed 13 doctors/hospitals/clinics, was working 2 jobs and going to school full time, ate ½ can soup at night and saved the other half for the next evening.  The history is only so that you’ll recognize that my life has not been a stress-free wonderland.  On the other hand, I had a happy, carefree childhood, and am now married with two children who are my joy.

We have members on site who have coped with the death of a child, the illness and/or death of a spouse, or the death of parents.  Some of us have lousy jobs, had horrible childhoods, or try to deal with nightmare marriages.  Some are fighting COPD or other smoking related illnesses.  We ALL have stress and tragedy in our lives.  Learning to truly live without smoking is a skill we MUST learn.

Whining:  So, if you are ranting and raving and crying on site because you’re going through withdrawal, you’re suddenly trying to cope with the trigger from H***, or your life just fell apart, THAT’S GREAT – NO PROBLEM – THAT’S WHAT WE’RE HERE FOR.  However, if you look back at your posts and 90% of them are doom and gloom, you need to look seriously at the reasons.  You may need professional help with depression, or counseling to help you get your life back into perspective.  Maybe you’ve just gotten into the life habit of being a whiner.  If that’s the case, get a grip on yourself and w

res ipsa loquitur

  This is a much better idea!!!  Hope it catches on with people!    Lolly.  

I had not really planned on taking a trip this year, yet I found myself packing hurriedly. This trip was going to be unpleasant and I knew no good would come out of it. I’m talking about my annual "Guilt Trip."
I got tickets to fly in Wish I Had Airlines. It was an extremely short flight. I got my baggage which I couldn't check. I chose to carry it all the way by myself. It was weighted down with a thousand memories of what might have been. No one greeted me as I entered the terminal to the Regret City International Airport. I say international because people from all over the world come here.
As I checked into the Last Resort Hotel I noticed they would be hosting the Annual Pity Party. I wasn't going to miss that great social occasion. Many of the towns leading citizens would be there.

First, there would be the Done family, you know, Should Have, Would Have, and Could Have. Then came the I Had family. You probably know Ol' Wish and his clan. Of course, the Opportunities would be present, Missed and Lost. The biggest family would be the yesterdays. There are far too many to count, but each one would have a very sad story to share.
Then Shattered Dreams would surely make an appearance. And It's Their Fault would regale us with stories(excuses) about how things had failed in his life, and each story would be loudly applauded by Don't Blame Me and I Couldn't Help It.

Well to make a long story short. I went to this party knowing that there would be no real benefit in doing so. And as usual, I became very depressed. But as I thought about all those stories of failures brought back from the past, it occurred to me that all of this trip and subsequent trips could be cancelled by ME!I started to realize I didn't have to be there, I didn't have to be depressed!
One thing kept going through my mind, I CAN'T CHANGE YESTERDAY,BUT I DO HAVE THE POWER TO MAKE TODAY A WONDERFUL DAY.I can be happy, joyous, fulfilled, encouraged, as well as encouraging. Knowing this I left the City of Regret immediately and left no forwarding address. Am I sorry for the mistakes I've made? YES! But there is no way to physically undo them.
So, if you’re planning a trip back to the City Of Regret, please cancel your reservations now. Instead take a trip to a place called, Starting Again.  I like it so much I've taken up permanent residence there. My neighbours, I Forgive Myself and the New Starts are so very helpful. By the way, you don't have to carry around heavy baggage, because the load is lifted from your shoulders upon arrival. God Bless you in finding this great place. If you can find it--it's in your own heart--please look me up. I live on I Can Do It Street.