Congratulations to you both on taking that first step to say 'I've got this, let's rock and roll.' I was in your shoes seven years ago. Have to say if doing it over again I'd leave off the patches - I thought it was like going through the same heavy withdrawal four times, once with each step down. Though I did just two weeks on each strength vs the recommended length of time . My best 'helpers' were a pricey, special pack of sweets, of which I'd have one instead of a cigarette en route to work, to the train, after meals, etc. They lasted a couple weeks. Then I came onto the SSC as my hubby would be lighting up his after dinner smoke. I talked to the fine folks here who supported the heck out of me. I am seven years quit come 1/1/14, and hubby still smokes.
Guess who's better off?
Now, best advice I can give you - know your 'road map' of HOW you are going to stay committed. Know when and where and more importantly WHY you smoke. These are your probable triggers and will haunt you - minimum until you are quit for years, and maximum, er...FOREVER. Know them, know how you will quash them. Recognize them when they pop up and know how to tell them where they can go. Know which people in your life break your serenity. Initially you may feel better limiting your time with them, but depending on who these people are, you may need to find a means of dealing with them.
This is a tricky one, which may or may not land with you: know you have a right to getting what you want in your life. For you this may seem a silliness. For me, it was everything. Defending this right may be difficult for you, particularly as you are feeling weakened by withdrawal, with no cloak of smoke to hide behind. But you do have that right. And you will have to speak up now, because as a non-smoker, you can no longer puff away how you are feeling. You must find the words.
You must face the words.
Finally, know your emotions. Know how hard they hit and which always own you. Regardless of whatever kind of tough nut you may be, there will be one that owns you. This is most likely why you have kept smoking all this time. Break the silence of that emotion and you will break yourself free of nicotine addiction.
I wish you such huge success, my fellow new year's quitters. You'll be so glad you've made this choice. I promise you that.
x T
