For me, part of the process was actually not having a plan. I was smoking like normal one night and then I got up the next morning and was just like "That was it." No big goodbye or ceremonial last smoke or anything like that. I actually still had some cigarettes in the house, and I didn't dramatically throw them away or anything, I just left them on the porch in case I changed my mind. By about three in the afternoon I was so deep into withdrawal that I knew I'd never want to go through that first eight hours again. I still didn't throw the cigarettes out, I just put them in a drawer to give to a friend. My mind was so made up that it didn't matter whether there were cigarettes in the house or not. I was a pretty serious smoker, too, like slightly more than a pack a day. You wouldn't think it would be that simple for someone like me but in the end it was.
Everyone is different, but I think in the past fixating on a "plan" actually just helped me procrastinate because there was always some step I was waiting to take before the only step that mattered, which was waking up in the morning and not smoking. For me it was about really being ready to commit to it, and I didn't plan when I would be, it just kind of happened.
That being said, just signing up here is a great first step! I came here a lot in the early days and ranted about all the things I was feeling and people were really supportive. It's nice knowing you're not alone and that other people have suffered through this stuff and survived.
I'm at 24 days now. Last night I spent the whole night outside grilling and drinking with friends and I thought about smoking maybe twice. It happens that fast, and you will be so glad you did it. Seriously. I want to run up to every person I see smoking and tell them how possible it is to quit. It is very possible! You can do it!
