Even this, just this, is enough

[cgov2626]

I wish I could say that I was able to completely be free of nicotine.  I am using the patch but I have cut down by 3-5 cigarettes a day for 10 days.  I am feeling some withdrawal symptoms.  Each day, I challenge myself not to smoke at all, but I have not been able to accomplish that.  This accomplishment is alot so far for someone who has never even attempted to quit in the last 20 years.  Somehow I still feel badly about not being able to wholeheartedly quit, but I still tell myself that even this, just this, is enough as I have my sites on freedom and I will get there!  

I changed my quit date to May 11 the date that my Aunt E could not breath anymore from smoking and had to be given morphine until she passed.  This May 11 will be the one year anniversary of her death.  I can't believe I could still smoke after seeing that/watching her go through that! 

[Barbscloud]

Think about picking a quit date and stick to it.   May 11th is a significant date for you , but it's also a long ways off.  Again, I did cut down for a week leading up to my quit date, but the key is to not keep extending it.  I had a few cigarettes left on my last day and I threw them away.  Just having cigarettes around is a real quit killer.   Remember, you're only quitting for one day.  You can do it.

Barb

[Beck37]

First thing you need to do is change your way of thinking. You are giving cigarettes way too much power.  You have glamorized them. Most of us on this site who have quit did so after at least 30+ years. I smoked for 37. We know exactly what you are going thru...

I also started smoking fewer cigarettes before my quit. I quit cold turkey 16 months ago and life is good. The difference between my quit and yours is I was excited about my quit. I was ready. If you don’t change your way of thinking you will not be successful. The moment you hit a bump in the road you will use it as an excuse to start smoking again.

Life is crazy. Life can be rough. Don’t let it fool you. Cigarettes are not affecting the outcome of anything.  You are not giving up anything positive. In fact you are not “giving up” anything. You are gaining control of your life. Cigarettes are a crutch, the same as drugs or alcohol. You can’t see it now, but if you take a leap of faith you will discover the decision to quit will be the first step on an incredible journey of becoming the person you want to be.

So put on your big girl panties and just do it. We are here for you. Be amazing!

Beck

[cgov2626]

Yes well what prompted the date change and so far off is the messages that I got to update my quit date.  The suggested dates were that far away, but I appreciate the insight and suggestions.

[AnnetteMM]

Each day, I challenge myself not to smoke at all,

I know you'll be so glad when you don't have to do THAT anymore!  It must be exhausting to have to challenge yourself every single day.  Every. Single. Day.

I suggest a couple of questions for you to think about to help you along in your desire to be free. 

1.  When you challenge yourself every day, do you mentally give yourself permission to give up if it gets too hard?

2.  What is your plan for May 11? Will it be cold turkey, patch, gum, Tootsie Pops (that was mine)?

[indingrl]

 progress NOT perfection - WAY TO GO - keep up loving YOURSELF

[maryfreecig]

I have to respectfully disagree with the Exers who posted above. I'm adding my two cents worth, but that's about all that it is worth because in the end this is your quit. And doing it your way is important. Some here at Ex quit by vaping first (short term), some set no quit date at all but found the moment to quit came on its own within weeks of seriously deciding to quit, some quit cold turkey no support, some use NRT or wellbutrin(etc), some started with Ex, some came later after quitting.

Your confidence in your quit is what matters as well--getting to that point of saying--I've planned, I've learned, I'm afraid--but I'm ready to give it everything I've got...  You don't have to be heroic and fearless--just willing. It's already a part of you or you wouldn't be making the strides toward change that you have.

It's a journey.

It happens one day at a time.

[cgov2626]

Yes it is difficult to go through that Every Day but that, in itself, is a lesson!  I have a plan with the patches through the Quit Line to stay on step 2 then to step 1.  No, I do not give myself permission because it is too hard.  I have cut down by half of what I used to smoke.  Permission would mean I am all out smoking the same amount as I used to smoke prior to 10 days ago for the last 20 years. I picked May 11 as an absolute date, but it is my desire to stop smoking within the next week, cutting down daily.  Guess I'll change the date to reflect that.  Honestly and willingness is the key!

[cgov2626]

Thank you for your response.  I am in another 12 step program and thank god it is progress and not perfection!  I almost decided to seek support elsewhere if not for your response.

[cgov2626]

Thank God for Progress and not Perfection or I would quit trying before I even started!

[indingrl]

Awe YOU are so welcome - I think YOUR doing wonderfully- one moment at a time and please keep blogging anything and everything - I did that for the first 3 months STAY on here from morning to night - took ALL the SUGGESTIONS to STAY quit no matter what I was FEELING thinking - FEELINGS come and go and they are fickle and tons more will come - just stay in tge moment - just like YOUR DOING making PROGRESS and before YOU know it - a NON SMOKER FREE from NICOTINE if I can do it so can YOU 

[AnnetteMM]

You've thought this through quite well!

[Barbscloud]

Sorry if I offended you. I said think about picking a quit date, not that you had too.   It was trying to give you support in that I cut down also , but won't respond anymore.

Barb

[Christine13]

I think your plan is awesome!!  You are giving yourself time to prepare.  May 11th is a significant day for me as well.  It was my husband's and my wedding anniversary.  He died much the same way as your Aunt did.

I wish you all the best!!

[MarilynH]

This is one heck of an addiction thankfully even as difficult as quitting smoking is it's also very Doable please read everything you can because there's a wealth of information right here on this site to strengthen your resolve to kick the nicotine poison to the curb permanently it's not easy by any stretch of the imagination in those early days and weeks of quitting smoking BUT with commitment and perseverance you can and will be successful so on May 11th which will be your DAY ONE keep your mind as well as well as your hands occupied and at the end of the day you'll be able to YAY for DAY WON. 

[sweetplt]

You have received some great advice above me...nothing to add other than ... quitting sooner than later is the best thing you can do for YOU...~ Colleen 506 DOF 

[cgov2626]

You did not offend me. I thank you for your support all along. I changed my date though to 3 days from now. Thanks. 

[maryfreecig]

I know that every Exer is offering help and do not judge--but when someone is new to the community--it may not be obvious that no matter what we say here--we also believe that a newcomer, or anyone of us must take only what we can use, ditch whatever it is that we cannot. So again, welcome to Ex and know that support and community are here everyday for your journey--it's a meeting room that is always open. 

[cgov2626]

Please do continue to reply. Believe me changing my quit date more than once is getting annoying and an obvious clue that my way isn’t working. Much appreciated advice.

[Barbscloud]

OK.  When you said you were thinking about leaving the site because of the earlier responses (which I was one of), I didn't want you to leave because of me.  I'm one of the firm believers on the site that everyone should choose their own path to quit.  

Barb

[cgov2626]

Thanks Barb.

[SuzyQ411]

Love you my friend~

[SuzyQ411]

cgov2626‌ I wish you well in your quit by whatever path you choose to take.

But I do agree with Coleen that "quitting sooner that later is the best thing you can do for YOU" as I sense the turmoil you are suffering at this point in your quit.

Once you've jumped into this quit wholeheartedly,  I honestly believe you will gain a great a great sense of relief.

~Suzy