Changing my quit smoking date?

[artwork36]

Any one can answer this question for me, Is it wrong for me to change my smoking quit date? I am really nervous because I have not quit smoking in several years because every time I try to quit smoking some thing comes up such as a death in the family, or dealing with family members that don't want nothing to do with me. 

From @artwork36 

[JustinHoot99]

Theres nothing I can see "wrong" with changing it.  The question is "why" you are changing it.  There is never going to be a perfect date to quit.
You need to look at the situation and evaluate if it really calls for changing.  Parent dies the day before your planned data?  Probably should change. Feeling bad about a personal relationship?  Judgement call, but has there really been NO time in several years where a quit would have been feasable?
How far in advance are you setting quit dates?  Honestly, when I see someone set a quit date a month out, I cringe.  Cause most people get very nervous one they set a quit data and they are going to fret and worry about that quit date the entire time.  
What is the reason this Friday could not be your quit date?  That gives you 3 days to plan your quit.  Or next Monday.  That gives you time to read up on what a lot of people have done to help them and then plan your quit.
There are even some people who don't plan, they just quit.  Personally, I don't know how they do it, but I've seen it done.  Me, I'm a planner.  There was a why on the day of the week, the time of day, and how I would go about getting through the first 3 days.  Sometimes people pick a date, then they just pull the trigger and go before the date.
Guess what I'm saying is "no, there is nothing wrong w/ moving the date for a legitimate reason, but yes, there is something wrong w/ moving it just because it's not the "perfect" time".  There will never be a perfect time and there will never be a better time than now.

[YoungAtHeart]

Welcome!

I will answer your question in a roundabout way.  Life is ALWAYS going to happen, and you will have to learn early, middle or later in your quit how you will deal with its downside.  Might as well get past on of its events sooner rather than later.  You need to come to understand that all you believe smoking does for you is a lie.    It gives you a quick hit of dopamine, until you need another and another ad infinitum. And it mostly just reduces the stress IT created when you last smoked a cigarette.   If you do the reading I will recommend, you will better understand it all.  You can plan NOW, after you have done some reading and preparing, how you can deal with a stressful time. You can go for a walk, march in place, call a friend, take slow/deep breaths.... You should pick a date that allows you to get ready for it this time....usually a week is plenty!

The important thing you can do right now is to educate yourself on what nicotine does to your body and mind. To that end, I highly recommend Allen Carr's “The Easy Way to Stop Smoking.”    You can search for it online or at your local library.  Here is a video to inform you further about nicotine addiction:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpWMgPHn0Lo&feature=youtu.be

From my own experience and that of others here, if you decide to use a quit aid, I recommend those that don't let the addict control the dose such as Rx drugs and the patch.

It will be informative if you do the tracking and separation exercises recommended here on the site. As you track each cigarette smoked, note its importance, and what you might do instead. Put each one off just a little to prove that you don't NEED a cigarette just because you think you do.
 

The idea is to change up your routines so the smoking associations are reduced.  Drink your coffee with your OTHER hand in a place different from when you smoked. Maybe switch to tea for a bit.  If you always had that first smoke with your coffee, try putting your tennies on right out of bed, going for a quick walk, then taking your shower and THEN your coffee! .  Take a different route to work. Take a quick walk at break time where the smokers AREN'T.
 
You need to distract yourself through any craves.  You can take a bite out of a lemon (yup - rind and all), do a few jumping jacks, go for a brisk walk or march in place, play a computer game.  Keep a cold bottle of water with you. Don't let that smoking thought rattle around in your brain unchallenged. You might visit “Games”: The active ones are at the top of the list going down the left side of the page.

Here is a link to a list of things to do instead of smoke if you need some fresh ideas:

https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/t5/Journals-Blogs/101-Things-to-Do-Instead-of-Smoke/ba-p/1028319

The conversation in your head in response to the "I want a cigarette" thought needs to be, "Well, since I have decided not to do that anymore, what shall I do instead for the three minutes this crave will last?"  Then DO it.  You will need to put some effort into this in the early days, but it gets easier and easier to do.

Stay close to us here and ask questions when you have them and for support when you need it. We will be with you every step of the way!

 Nancy

[JACKIE1-25-15]

It does not matter what day you quit as long as you quit.  Putting it off may cause it to not happen.  Plan, Prepare and learn to Protect your quit. Plan Prepare Practice to Protect. 

[maryfreecig]

Life's crap is not going to go away. Use your pre-quit time to accept the fact that you can quit no matter what happens in your life. One way to practise is to not smoke when something upsets you. Delay. Think about how you are acting and think about how you can do better. We are all rooting for you. Find your quit one day at a time.

[tracy0924]

Great advice above from those who have been quit longer than I. All I can say is that I planned a week or so out, did my reading and got my tools together. And since I have quit I have had a bunch of crap thrown at me (car accident, fight with my roommate, etc.) and I have not started again because I had my tools in place. I’m using the patch and gum which seem to work for me. I’ve had a few really bad days and it was really hard, but I am protecting my quit, no matter what NMW! I’d say set a date within the next week, put your plans together and just do it! You won’t regret it. Good luck!🌷

[AnnetteMM]

I never set a quit date at all.

I quit when I ran out of stuff to smoke, then I threw out all the evidence and cleaned the house.

[Barbscloud]

@artwork36 Welcome to the ex.  How and when you quit is a unique experience.  If you need to postpone it for a few days because you haven't done the preparation and the education to be successful, that makes sense.   If your waiting for life to be less stressful, that's not going to happen. We can always find a reason to smoke. I did for 50 years, but finally learned how to quit.   Decide if you want to use an aid, learn about this addiction, and have plan in place for when life happens--and it will.

You can do this and we're here to support you.

Barb

[Gai.C]

@artwork36  I didn't Plan to Quit. I had Shortness of breath and my Doctor said today is the day.  Purchased patches and Prayed asking God to take all desire away. Sunday morning put the patch on and signed on to a site much like this one And never looked back .I'm over 4 years 4 months. U can do it. U have to want it more than anything else.

[sweetplt]

It is your quit, you can do what you want @artwork36 Changing the date does not mean life won’t get in the way..it happens and part of this journey is dealing with life without the smokes.  On September 1st I put down  my beloved dog who was thirteen and had pancreatic cancer.  The pain in my heart still aches, but I never smoked through the tears because I learned that smoking changes nothing.  It wouldn’t bring her back to me, healthy and happy.  Change the date because you didn’t prepare enough, not because of life….make quitting your number one priority….Colleen 1032 DOF

[artwork36]

@sweetplt first and foremost I am sorry for your loss of your dog and second of all thank you for your helpful answer regarding to my question. I have been trying to quit smoking for a very long time but every time I get a chance to plan to quit smoking something comes up such as a death in a family or dealing with family members that don't want nothing to do with me.

Thank you again.

Brigitte 

[Sootie]

Hi Brigitte- I think what everyone above me is trying to say is that the things you feel are ruining your "chance to plan to quit" are things that will ALWAYS happen. I f you want to plan your quit and do it....you will have to do it DESPITE these things (and more). The actual date doesn't matter..........your decision....your quit. We are all here to support you whenever that day may be. For your own health and well being................make it soon!

[Barbscloud]

@artwork36 How are you doing? Have you made any progress on your quit date?

Barb