No date set, yet

[Laiashamus]

I am reading through these posts with tears streaming down my face. 35+ dedicated, veteran smoker. I know I want to, I need to quit. I haven't yet set a date because, well I honestly don't know if I fear failure or success. Is that normal? Does it even make any sense? 

I started getting a true smoker's cough about six months ago. I had started thinking about quitting then. Six months ago. Everytime I get to the end of a pack, I get this anxiety that is all-consuming and too overwhelming. So, I buy another pack (or two) and that makes no sense to me but it doesn't stop me from stopping at the closest gas station even though I don't need gas. 

It's almost like giving up a life long friend that has never failed to be there for me.

I will read through some more posts and pick a date soon. 

Glad I found this site.

[Barbscloud]

Welcome to the Ex.   I know exactly how you feel.   I smoked for 50 years and tried multiple times to quit.  Fear about quitting is common for so many reasons.  Fear of failure, yes.  But fear of success creates lots of scary thoughts.  It's what we do--when we're stressed, happy, sad, angry, etc.  We fear the loss of our friend. It may take some work to really understand that we're no losing a friend, but gaining our health and freedom.  Educating yourself about nicotine addiction and creating a quit plan can help to make this happen for you.  It's time to make the commitment to yourself that you want this.  It's not easy, but there's proof here that you can do.  We're here to support you and want to celebrate your success on every step of your journey.

Barb

[indingrl]

Welcome and TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO CHOOSE TO LIVE AS A NON SMOKER - just saying - YOUR CHOICE - I want to thank YOU so much for YOUR courage and for sharing YOUR self honesty - it was SUGGESTED to ME to just sit down and write MY divorce letter to MY LOVER and BEST FRIEND - death sticks - it was SUGGESTED to ME when I quit sucking on MY LOVER AND BEST FRIEND - death sticks - no one can DO it for YOU - YOU get to CHOOSE and make a decision -  just for YOU not anyone else- LIFE or DEATH - YOUR OWN PERSONAL  decision - I believe - YOUR WORTH LOVING YOURSELF and living NICOTINE FREE - one day at a time - YET ALL THE POWER IS IN YOUR HANDS  - gentle hug

[Laiashamus]

Thank you Barb. I appreciate and welcome the encouragement. Just picked my date. 

[JACKIE1-25-15]

Welcome to EX.  We all have some level of fear of failure.  However, once you make your mind up that you no longer want to continue down the path of a slow death you will never look back.  Quitting is the easy part.  Staying quit takes work. It is doable if you are willing to do whatever is necessary never to take another puff.  In the meantime prepare yourself by developing a plan on when and how you are going to go about your quit. My EX Plan | BecomeAnEX 

[Laiashamus]

Thank you!

[Laiashamus]

Thank you!

[MarilynH]

Welcome to the community we're all here to help you in any way we can, you can and will be successful in your upcoming quit believe it deep breaths and know that you can turn your DAY ONE INTO DAY WON and you can continue to move forward one precious Smokefree Day at a time or hour minute or even a second at a time pick your quit date and know that you will succeed because as difficult as quitting smoking is it's also Doable and totally worth it to be Free.....

[maryfreecig]

I'm glad you found this site, too! Going is alone is hard on quitters--number one we've been addicted forever and hourly and daily doses of nicotine. Stopping smoking is not like deciding to reduce fat in your diet, or to cut down on salt. It's about ending an active addiction.

Please know that quitting is so posssible--all the clinging you are doing to your pack of cigarettes can be ended and it happens just one day at a time. Don't try to convince yourself that in one split second you can choose to quit and be happy about it (how rare a decision like that is) but instead stick with Ex. Learn, read, share. And of course their is more support for you--your local hospital may offer quit qroups, might be ex smoker meetings near you, your Doc can talk to you about your medical options. 

I thought I loved smoking (except all the things that I didn't love about it) but I was addicted and needed to smoke. I quit six years ago--and can tell you as addicted as I was, I no longer live to smoke--it no longer is my friend. And you will here that from many Exers. Get ready to surprise yourself with a great quit. Ex is here for you 365.

Welcome to Ex.