Best way to set quit date?

[Carrie72]

I’m new here. I set my quit date for August 6th because the advice I read was to prepare yourself and set your date 2-4 weeks ahead. Do ex-smokers think that’s good advice? And what should I do to prepare myself? 

[JACKIE1-25-15]

I believe it is up to the individual.  We can give you advice. You have to do what works best for you.  I believe preparation, planning is the key.  If I were you I would start from the beginning. My EX Plan | BecomeAnEX  click on the tab to get started, viewing the videos, answering questions about your triggers, tracking when and why you smoke etc. If you have a question you can use the search engine (magnifying glass and type in any topic). https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/community/community-help will help you get around on the site.  Education is the key to a successful quit.  I suggest several other easy reads.  Go to www.whyquit.com read Freedom from Nicotine Journey Home and Nicotine 101.  There is a lot of information to read.  Welcome to EX.  Stay close any questions just ask. 

[Barbscloud]

Totally agree that's its up to you.  But preparing this time has really worked for me.  I took a smoking cessation class, Welbutrin in advance, and was fortunate enough to find this site.  I learned so much about my addiction and what works from reading the posts.  The key is not to fear the date, but get excited as it approaches.   I found the texts I received each day from the Ex as my quit day approached so helpful.

We're here for you, so reach out if you need help.

131 DOF

[avian3]

I agree it is up to you. A lot of people are helped by preparing and educating themselves first.

Because the anticipation to quit was driving me crazy, I had to quit within a few days after my decision. For me it was a relief to just to get those first few days out of the way as soon as possible.

[maryfreecig]

My quit date was based on the carton of cigarettes I had.The last cigarette, the quit begins. But that was my way of dealing with it--still I looked  online every day for ideas and wrote out a plan and added to it a lot as good ideas became apparant. I watched youtube videos (sober minded ones only, no gimmicks).   

Only you can choose a date, but it is true that setting a quit date too far can mean stalling, not choosing. Welcome to Ex!

[freeneasy]

Read everything you can find about quitting and nicotine addiction. A good place to start is "My Quit Plan " upper right of your screen right on this site. Check out "The Best of EX" Decide if you are going to use a medication. The more you read and learn, the more confidence you'll have.

How to Quit Smoking for Good 

Setting a quit date is up to you. I would not wait for 4 weeks. I surprised myself. I set a date just 4 days out but I cheated and smoked a couple of cigarettes a day until I stopped entirely in a week I'm not recommending that for you. There is no set time but I would say the sooner the better.

[elvan]

I think education and preparation are always good...I quit when I was really sick but I had already made a quit plan and a quit kit...I just never really used them.  Once I started coming here regularly, my quit grew stronger and stronger.

Welcome to EX, you might want to read JonesCarpeDiem‌'s blog /blogs/jonescarp.aka.dale.Jan_2007-blog/2011/06/26/what-to-expect-in-the-first-four-months  It really helped me...stay close to the site and read blogs, comment, ask questions.  We are here and we have all had to start at the beginning...just like you.  We all want you to succeed. Welcome to EX.

Best,

Ellen

[JonesCarpeDiem]

I didn't set a quit date until I was ready to quit.

Here's the no stress, no denial, no anger, no fear method how I prepared to quit.

https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/message/70402-where-does-it-come-from 

[Giulia]

As a person with a 12 year quit I definitely think it's a good idea to set a quit date a couple of weeks away so you can educate yourself about the journey to come.  I set mine a month in advance and spent that month getting my head in gear.  I needed that amount of time.  I feel the stronger the preparation, the more likely the success.  The plan here is a good one.  Learning about our triggers, why, when, where we smoke - enables us to prepare for them, alter them and eliminate some for a while until we're on solid ground with our quits.  But as others have stated above me, it's really a personal choice.   Study the options, figure out which method you think will work best of you.  After all, you know yourself better than anyone else.