New to Community; 6 days to Quit Day!

[tsmith6105]

Hi all! I'm 44 years old, recently divorced with 2 young kids and I'm getting ready to quit on 5/29/18... 6 days to go. I started smoking 30 years ago, quit for 2 years in my late 20's and then started up again about 15 years ago. I have been a pack/day smoker ever since. I've tried a few times to quit in the past few years but never made it past day 1. 

For the past 4 days I've been cutting back each day in anticipation of my quit date and I've been taking zyban for a few weeks. I'm down to about 8 cigs/day and today I've only had 2 so far and it's 11:00am.  I'm pretty scared about quitting especially since my life has been kinda falling apart at the seams lately but I also feel more determined than I ever have in the past. I feel like I'm actually doing it for me this time and I feel confident that it's really going to happen but at the same time grieving in a strange way that I'll be giving up the only thing that's been consistent in my life for so long.

My reasons for quitting are many: but really I just don't want to be a slave to it anymore and I want to be around to see my kids grow up... they're 8 years old and I've told them I'm quitting after Memorial Day. Plus; I live in the SF Bay Area and smoking just couldn't be more intolerable here. 

I hope to rely on this community in the coming months/years and honestly hope I'll be in a position to give back at some point down the road after I get a little time under my belt. Everyone I know (therapist included) has told me not to try and quit right now because I'm going through so much emotional stuff with my recent divorce and stress etc. but I feel like my life will always have something stressful going on and I might as well just do this now. 

I'm freaking out a little but at the same time I'm glad I've found this community and look forward to going through this journey together with all of you folks. Thanks for reading!

Trevor

[TW517]

I have 2 friends who both quit during terribly messy and stressful divorces.  Neither knows the other, but both had the same reason for quitting then.  They had multiple fails before, each time letting a stressful situation get the best of them.  They figured if they could quit during the most stress they have ever had, they would guarantee this quit would be their last.  One is 9 years free, and the other 12 years.  One of them even said it was easier than previous quits because he was so wrapped up in all of the divorce related problems, he didn't have time to over think his quit.

Welcome to EX!

[GyorgyiM]

I am keeping this "light hearted" during your currently stressful moments.............

That too shall "pass".....

Welcome.... to the wonderful world of "EX".............YOU GOT THIS !......................YOU GOT "US"!!

[gregp136]

Greeting Trevor,

You are a few days ahead of me, as my quit date is June 1st.  We will be going through the same things at the same time.  Read a lot here, and come here for all the support you can.  With the support of this community, you can quit smoking regardless of what life throws at you.  I foolishly back away when I was in pain, and as a result I failed.  But that is why I am starting again.

We are all here for you (and you can be here for me).

Greg

[Roller831]

Welcome!  Usually YoungAtHeart‌ Nancy will post a wonderful welcome message, but she is recovering from a bad fall.  Please accept my welcome to you!

There is a great blog out there for our new quitters.  For Our New Years' Quitters (and community members, too) .  You may also want to check out posts in Best of EX‌‌.  We are here to help you on this journey to freedom!  

Welcome!  I know when I first found this site, many Elders told me to read read read….and I did.  Elders are those with one or more years of being quit.  If you like what someone has to say, then you may want to read their blogs.  I have some listed below.

A list of our Elders  /blogs/Giulia-blog/2017/06/18/elders-list-ao-december-7-2016 

So here's the thing.....and you may not like what I am about to say....and that's ok.  I get it.  You need to accept that this is an addiction.  Before you do that, it will be much more difficult to quit and stay quit. 

Read read read.  Do the steps to PREPARE yourself to quit.  Do the steps so you are PREPARED on quit day and for the days AFTER quit day.  

Some of the things I read in my first few days that helped me:

Dale’s Welcome to New Members My Welcome To New Members (10 Years Of Watching) 

Nancy’s Blog /blogs/Youngatheart.7.4.12-blog/2013/02/25/100-things-to-do-instead-of-smoke 

JonesCarpeDiem  Dale’s Blog /blogs/jonescarp.aka.dale.Jan_2007-blog/2011/06/26/what-to-expect-in-the-first-four-months 

JACKIE1-25-15  gave me the link to Alan Carr’s book, “Easy Way to Quit Smoking”.  I actually didn’t read the online PDF, but purchased a book on CD from Amazon and listened to it in my car over and over again for the first two weeks of my quit. 

Keep this site close and keep posting and asking for help.  You will get it.  You will get things you like and things you don't like, but don't give up!!!  We have been through similar experiences and can share our strength and hope.  We are here to support you!

[JACKIE1-25-15]

Welcome to EX.  You have come to the right place for a new day and a rebirth. The idea is to start at the beginning by making a commitment that no matter what happens or goes on in your life that you will not use it as an EXcuse to smoke.  With that philosophy, you will have success on this journey.  No, it is not easy but it is doable by using that principle and educating yourself about nicotine addiction.   If you hang around you will see that quitting is doable, because many of us have.  Look forward to a new day and a new way of life.  It is all up to you.  This is all about you and what you are willing to do to be smoke-free. Quitting smoking requires hard work and determination not to give up.   It can be challenging at times but you will learn that it is doable if you adhere to NOPE not one puff ever no matter what. Start first, by educating yourself about nicotine addiction.  Education is the key to a successful quit.  Read: Freedom from Nicotine My Journey Home and Nicotine Addiction 101         

Here are the links: http://whyquit.com/whyquit/LinksAAddiction.html   and http://whyquit.com/ffn/

I also encourage you to read. Allen Carr’s book, “Easy Easier Way to Quit Smoking”.    Enjoy the journey. 

[kristen-9-7-15]

Great advice above. I just wanted to welcome you

[JonesCarpeDiem]

Welcome

[maryfreecig]

    Welcome to the Ex community. Thanks for sharing about your smoking history and quit plan. You are in the right place for support so keep coming back. Stress or joy, one day at a time you can piece together your smobriety.

[Lisaml]

Hi Trevor! Welcome !!! We all have our reasons for quitting, but I tell ya, children is a clincher! I have 3, and while they are teenagers, they are a HUGE motivating factor for me.  The thought of them lighting  up a cigarette freaks me out and totally kills a craving immediately. 

Sorry about your divorce, but looking forward to better days ahead for you!!!!!! 

We share a similar smoking history- I smoked a pack per day, easily. I quit at age 45 (4.5 months ago). 

You will find a lot of support here. It’s a lifesaver for sure. I have learned that it’s easy to quit. The challenge is to STAY quit. You can do it, but please do the reading as it comes to you. Especially on relapse prevention, No Mans Land and what to expect the first 4 months. 

Looking foeward to cheering you on, Trevor and Greg!!!!