Many of us....

[suzzy12345]

....have attempted to quit before, and eventually started back to smoking. Have you ever wondered....what makes this quit any different?. This has been ny 2nd attempt, and what makes it different this time is the quilt I was feeling just before I quit last time.

[AutumnWoman]

For me, it was the fact that I put so much effort into this quit (as opposed to others) that I knew after I had got all the nicotine out of my system I wasn't going to put it back in again if I could avoid it. Besides, I was tired of living a dual existence -- smoking some places and not others. But that had more to do with shame about being a smoker in this society than guilt.

[a.d.]

I realize that I am gaining something, whereas before I looked at quitting as "giving up" something that was valuable to me. I'm much more educated now. But I really never made an honest attempt at quitting before, so I can't identify something distinctly "different."

[Sandra3]

I agree with both Sheryl and A.D. it is about education but it is also about the want! I wanted to quit! Although I never gave a huge effort before,usually caving in after the first bad crave. I went two weeks once totally on the patch but the weight gain was terrifying to me then so I went back to smoking. Never did lose those pounds though.

[jen25]

I agree with everyone else... you have to WANT to quit or you won't. Bottom line. Make the decision, don't regret it and don't look back.

[laura30]

Every time I tried to quit I really wanted to quit, I just wasn't properly prepared.

This quit is different because I did the research, planned for my quit, set a date, and quit smoking. In addition, I sought out the support from this site as studies indicate that those who have a support system have much higher levels of success in keeping their quits.

Every morning I re-commit myself to staying quit for THAT day - this keeps me from getting stressed out by thinking about a lifetime of never smoking again. Also, in previous quits, I would torture myself over wanting a smoke. I hated every person I saw smoking 'cause they could smoke & I had quit. Even after a year of not smoking I still would obsess over it; I was obviously unprepared for that quit. I listened to the LIES in my head.

Not this time - I don't allow myself to dwell on thoughts of smoking. I hear the little voices (LOL) and I chase their sorry asses away. It's still a scarey "apartment complex" up there in my head, but it's a smoke-free one! LOL!

Smoking is not an option. I do not give myself permission to smoke today - I choose to NOT smoke today.

My name is Laura and I am a non-smoker as of 44.5 days ago!

[sarah31]

Like so many other people, I thought I could have "just one" which of course, led to full-time smoking again! The second time around, a year later, I made sure I was prepared. I read Allen Carr's book and joined this site. Now I'm over 3 years quit!