Back to the beginning (Reposted From 9-7-2008)

[JonesCarpeDiem]

I started at 17 and smoked a pack or more a day for 40 years. So, 4 1/2 years ago, a friend said, "you should quit smoking, it isn't good for you."

I considered the concept and my sub-conscious mind started the process of working on it during the month before I quit. I did not decide to quit in one month. It was just the way it worked out.

I began testing the waters by saying "wait a little longer" to myself between smokes. That gave me the temporary experience of how it would feel to live without smoking a cigarette when I wanted one, made me realize I didn't need to freak out, and, automatically made me cut down.

There was no weaning regimen of 20 today, 19 tomorrow, etc. Too much stress and pressure.

I feel people can be their own enemies when it comes to kicking this habit

I knew I would get to the point of saying, this is my last pack.

I didn't push myself to that point. I just let it happen.

There was no conscious timetable.

The Friday before my quit I bought my last pack and I knew that was it.

(I quit first thing on the next Tuesday morning, the day after New Years. See keeping the stress of New Years Resolutions out of the mix)

I had my last cig at 7:15am.

I chose quitting in the morning because I felt sleeping and letting the mind worry about quitting all night would make me want a smoke moreso in the morning.

I feel when we wake up in the morning, the memories of the habit kick in so I figured if I had my last one in the morning, the start of my quitting would not be ruled by those feelings and ingrained memories. I would have my last smoke and say to my body, "I am now in control, get used to it!" and have the whole day and evening to get my quit solidified.

It worked for me.

I got the patch and used 10 during the first 14 days. If I forgot to put one on, I didn't freak out. I just left it off and rode out the cravings and learned to laugh each time I craved. This made me realize how much control smoking used to have over me but also, broke the ingrained thinking of reaching for a smoke, and affirmed to myself that I could win each battle one at a time and with it, the war of this addiction.

There is no luck or hope, or wishing my friends, only a decision to quit.

Then, honoring that decision, NO MATTER WHAT!

carp

[mojo8]

Karma maybe as I am first to comment, you rock dude.  You were so together in your quit, just reading it made me feel jealous I was not as strong.  I am not going back to smoking to find out but thanks for staying with us.

[Ex_Nancy]

Love YOU and your new avatar...this will always remind me of my 10th day smoke-free....sickofit-Nancy...WIT and NOPE !!!

[5zmhockey]

I just wanted to Thank you for everything and your great blog, your the man!!!

[Strudel]

No matter what - for sure! I just wrote that blog I've been meaning to write!! Thanks Dale!

[MarcieWhosoever]

Thanks Dale.

[EllenMT]

Yep, honor your decision NO MATTER WHAT! Beautiful! 

[newlife5]

dale... your humor, your wit, and your patience , make you a valuable asset to this site... and i dont care what anybody says .. i have never known you to directly insult someone... your comments are not intended to hurt anyone... ... we need you here...

the one thing i had to learn when i used to counsel sed teen boys.. ( the ones that failed to make it in foster homes and were vunerable in juvenile hall) you know the kind... their fear makes them want to be the tough thug type....anyway the one thing i learned is never take it personal....

[flossiemaeal]

I am so glad you are here to help others the way you have helped me,you have realy ben a blessing for me.and i am so thankful for all of your advice and for you r blogs,please dont let anyone make you change the way you are.

[corky2]

Love the profile picture and everything you say!!!

[maggie_8-1-2010]

What a great blog Dale! I'm glad you reposted it. I'm certain it will help others who are trying to figure out if they want to quit also.Thanks and have a good day!

[smokeandmirrors]

I loved reading this. Your quitting experience reminds me a lot of my own. I thought about not smoking and gathered as much information as I could about smoking/quitting smoking for about a month before I finally decided to put it down. During that month I started making small changes to my smoking habits. I quit smoking inside the house. I also reduced the amount that I smoked. Then one Thursday I woke up and thought, "I'm going to ask my dr. for the patch tomorrow when I see her." So, I did. The following Saturday I realized that I was ready to quit...and I was excited about the prospect of quitting. Then and there I decided that I was going to quit smoking the next day. So, the next morning I woke up, had my morning cigarette, threw the rest of my pack away, took a shower, brushed my teeth, and put the patch on. I realized later that day that I still had two unopened packs of cigarettes left. In the past I would've never dreamed of quitting when I still had cigarettes left! I knew this time was different. 

Congrats on almost 3 years of being smoke free! 🙂

[sspahn49]

Wow, just logged on, glad to see you on blogs. Great blog, thanks for all you do and gotta tell ya, when you told me day 2 wishing and hopeing just were not gonna work, it made me realize that was actually what I was doing!!! I changed that attitude and here I am, smoke free day 53, so.....once again thanks for sharing this story and  helping me when I was not helping myself!!!

[jojo_2-24-11]

Dale, you have got to know how valuable you are to this site, to say the least. Sure am glad I got to hear your story. Thanks for sharing.

[bjmarks]

* like * :))

[bobbiesue]

You are so right there is no luck wishing or hoping  we have to make the decision to never smoke again once we do that the rest is easy. Thanks Dale.