Epic Fail

[october2001]

Today was an epic failure for me. I moved my quit date again. I just cannot seem to find the willpower.  Or maybe I am not committed enough.  I dont know what it is.  I dont want to obtain a smoking related disease as I have been lucky thus far, yet I really enjoy smoking.  I know that it really isnt a stress reliever, yet in my head it sure feels like it is.  My life seems to go to hell in a hand basket every time I try and quit.  Why is that?  I know that this will get better but what the french toast am I suppose to do in the mean time.  I have a wicked temper during withdrawl and have little patience.  I cannot just not take care of my child and I sure dont want to divorce over this.  Any suggestions to speed up the unpleasentness besides quit aids as they do not work for me would be GREAT.

[newlife5]

okay heres what you do.... let it go... set a new day... say maybe october 1.... try not to smoke but if you do  make sure you know in your mind that october 1 ius your true quit day...  track your cigarettes  for at least three days.. to show where you are most likely to fail... track all if youre not smoking that much.... all is better.... read every day...here are some links....

http://www.women.smokefree.gov/landing.aspx?rid=3

http://http://www.women.smokefree.gov/topic-benefits-smoky.aspx

http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/sgr/2010/consumer_booklet/index.htm?s_cid=+fb_osh32

[newlife5]

just a few to het you started

[newlife5]

... oh i hate it when i type weird/...

just a few to get you started

[jiva36]

Hey

I am here with you. I know exactly what you are going through. In fact, I think we all do. I want to encourage you to quit when you think the time is right rather than being a serial quitter like myself. It really takes a lot out of you otherwise and people doubt you. It should be for you that you quit not anyone else. There are plenty of tools you can use besides quitting aids to help you but you have to be determined and have willpower. If you are determined and want to quit you will. You can try deep breathing exercises, yoga, or just walking when you feel the urge. Candies and toothpicks are good for cravings. It is up to you. You can do it!

You want to email me or anything, let me know.

Hugs

Jiva

[Sootie]

It can be difficult to get through the first weeks of quitting...it really does get so much better and you will be so happy when you have quit for good. BUT---I understand that you aren't sure you can make it through...you have a temper, a child and a marriage.

What will be more difficult....asking your husband to ignore your temper for a few weeks OR telling your husband the doctor found a shadow on your lung?

What will be more difficult.....taking a deep breath and counting to 10 when your child tries your patience OR looking at your child and thinking you may not see them grow up?

Because even young people get sick from smoking.

However, quitting because you may get sick isn't the reason I quit.....I quit so all of my todays would be so much better and they are. You only think a cigarette is enjoyable because you are addicted. After you kick the habit, you will LAUGH OUT LOUD at the thought that a cigarette was fun, good or enjoyable.

I hope you do quit. You deserve to feel what life is like on this side. Stay Strong.

[Alice23]

It is important to recognize a few things.

Once you're ready to quit - you will stop TRYING - you will just DO IT.

You will feel tense.  You will feel some anxiety.  You will have withdrawls.

With each minute that you go smoke free  / you will feel empowered.  You will feel freedom.  You will feel yourself healing.

I had the quick temper.  I had the lack of patience.  This time - I wasn't mad at the world because I coudln't smoke anymore.  I wasn't taking it out on the world because I wanted to smoke in the beginning.  I suprised myself, because the day came ( within 2 weeks I think) that I started feeling empowered and like I could take the world on - not that the world was kicking my butt!

So do this when you're ready to do it with everything you have - and do it because it's the right thing to do.  Do it when you realize it's something you're doing FOR yourself - not something that someone is doing TO you!

[bender7997]

I think you were smart to move your quit date. Here are a few things that helped me:

Stop smoking in your house, car, anywhere indoors.

When you quit find a few, several things you can do to occupy the time you were smoking. So if you have a craving you can use that and it will pass in a few min. Candy, mints, straws cut like cigarettes, whatever you think would work for you.

Have you done that thing were you write a letter to cigarettes/smoking telling them goodbye? Kinda cheesy I know. I think it helps you weigh the pro's and con's and see if your ready. How you feel about smoking? I did a similar excersise and it did help with my thinking. Your definitely having some doubts about quitting. Dig in and try to figure it out.

Actually I didn't pick a quit date. I was hoping to quit but couldn't. I was putting way to much pressure on myself.  I woke up one day and went outside to smoke a cigarette. I thought about it and it really tasted horrible. I slapped on a patch and here I am day 19. Definitely least amount of anxiety; as I tend to be an anxious person. The patch evens my anxiety out. Still have some serious psychological cravings. It's like any habit. Breaking it is usually unpleasant. Smoking is like a cycle of nicotine up and down. I still have some serious psychological cravings. Best of Luck, you'll do it!

ps... I've used tried the patch before. I think my mindset or attitude about quitting is really what is helping me stick with it.

[empathy]

I was sure that I would really hurt someone when I tried to quit smoking! That keep me smoking 4 a long time, years. The thought came over me that me dying a slow painful death might hurt the people that I love also! I told myself that my son would go to my moms & I would check into a motel if thats what I needed to do & by no means would I go to Walmart on the weekend. Those things did not have to happen as I took a long time building friendships & reading blogs & peoples pages on this site ( my new found EXtended family). You can do this without hurting anyone. You can hurt the ones you love by smoking. The choice is up to you. The world will be crule while you quit but when you decide to quit you will do whatever it takes not to smoke. Please read, read & read more on this site & the links you will be given. With love & respect, Tammy

[family-first]

I WAS a serial quitter. This time my daughter made a comment, I did some serious thinking, and I QUIT. I do take Chantix, but I really believe this is in my head. I also did not tell anyone at first, until they realized mum was the word. EVERYTHING was me in the past when I quit. I almost felt as if I was being set up for failure. Felt like people wanted to say I told you so again...NOT this time. I am doing this for me. When YOU are ready..you will and can do this...good luck!

[sharon133]

Hi there,

I'm on day 6 of my quit. I have smoked for nearly 30 years. I have tried quitting many times. This time using this site, tracking my smokes,  setting the quit date and learning about addiction is what has helped me. Even when i set my quit date i kept saying i'm going to try to quit. As i went along tracking smokes, reading blogs and learning about addiction i found that i was able to make that final commitment, i was able to turn off that switch in my head. One thing is if you aren't commited, that your not doing this for yourself you most likely will fail. You must do this for you and no one else.

On thing to use as encouragement for yourself is your daughter. Show her before she starts smoking. From what i've seen if your parents smoked your much more likely to smoke too. Get the message to her now that smoking is not the best choice.

I've had some really rough days but talking about it everyday with friends on this site and my husband have really helped me.

I wish you all the best and hope some of this helps

[Thomas3.20.2010]

Sootie said what I would say! I have Stage II Emphysema/COPD! It is chronic, progressive, and incurable! You do not want to wait till you're ready! You get yourself ready ASAP! Read! KNOW YOUR ENEMY! Make a quit plan and stick to it! Pledge NOPE each and every day! It works!

[c2q]

Hey - really cute clock! Yesterday was just another day you didin't quit, nothing more. Have you done your prep work yet? Made a list of reasons to quit, read the whyquit.com stuff, gathered your weapons and amunition? Then you can quit any time you want. Pick a date that makes sense to you - Sunday is my least stressful day, so I had my last cigarette on a Saturday. You don't have to do anything - people quit with / without aids, doing their homework, setting a quit date in advance. It was easier for me having gotten prepared - I'm just not the one who says, "no, no, you take the life vest." Please read my blog post, "3 months - what worked for me."

Think about how great it will be to be done with this Can I? Can? Can I? Pooh. You can. If nobody else were listening, I'd tell you that I was scared to death and could barely breathe the first morning of my quit, my anxiety level was so high. I glued myself to this site. When I wanted to yell at my husband, I glued myself to this site. When I wanted to throw the cat against the wall, well, I didn't.

Stay with us. You're a keeper.

[Strudel]

Please go back and refresh at:   http://quitsmokingonline.com/ and Allen Carr's book - "The Easy Way To Stop Smoking" -

 free download -   http://joga.365.lt/Allen-Carr_Easy-Way-To-Stop-Smoking_Download-free-PDF-EBook

You said it - it is "in your head" - the good things your attribute to smoking. That needs to change - otherwise it will be a struggle - forever! We do not want that! If you change your thinking - you will not have to struggle this way. Look at it as taking a class - the most important class you will ever take!! Study - read - highlight - take notes! That's what I did! It WILL sink in - if you keep at it!

[AutumnWoman]

"He that will not sail until all dangers are over, will never put out to sea." -- Thomas Fuller

You've received a lot of good advice in the comments above.  All I will say is that your fear of the difficulties of quitting is greater than the reality.  Don't be deluded.  Don't be fooled.  Freedom is greater than fear.