don't even know what to say

[rto]

Quit day today.  No quit.  I just did not do the work.  Eff it.  Can't do it, don't bother...and so on.  It seems that anytime I start to feel better...not drinking, getting out and social, not smoking..my brain takes notice and says, "Uh, I don't think so, babe."

I want to share with you that my adult life includes many institutions both long term and short.  Back in the eighties, when I was diagnosed with a mental illness, they had no clue how to treat it. 

We lived in halfway houses, assisted living; a subculture of sorts and smoking was a part of life and still is although I'm not in one of those places at the moment.

"Quit now!" doctors have told me.  "Think of the kids growing up without you and your family"

I don't have a family per se.  I am a gay woman alone at the moment, living in a basement with two birds.  I work part time.  I can't work more or I'll lose medical/ssd benefits. 

What the ... do I have to lose?

And that, my friends, will sound to you like a pity party and a bunch of excuses if you haven't lived it.

STILL.  As I've heard you say, I want to be a nonsmoker.

[kris54]

WE CARE.  When you are ready.  We're here.  For you.

[JonesCarpeDiem]

make a starting point and forget the circumstances.

i didn't say a quit date.

please go read this blog from yesterday

http://community.becomeanex.org/pg/blog/read/5236230/5-weeks-smoke-free-tomorrow

she didn't put any pressure on herself.

she decided and just lets her quit push itself on to success.

don't make more out of it than it is.

ease into it. we will help you as you go

[Strudel]

Stick around - you said you didn't do the work - and that can make a difference. At least it did for me. I realize we are all different - so there is no way any of us can totally "get" someone else's life or situation. However, we do all have something in common - nicotine addiction! I smoked for 40 years and that "I can't do it" feeling is familiar. The people here helped me realize that I could do it! That plus the "work" as you mentioned. (please see reading suggestions below.) So again - stick around - read, hang out, blog......see where it takes you!! We are here! 

Check out the free course at: http://quitsmokingonline.com/  and  Allen Carr's book - free download: http://joga.365.lt/Allen-Carr_Easy-Way-To-Stop-Smoking_Download-free-PDF-EBook

[Connie55]

It sounds as if you are unhappy with your life the way it is. So change it! baby steps, one at a time. How about starting with the stop smoking? Once you gain that confidence, nothing can stop you from making your life into a joyous place!

[shill57957]

I pretty much said the same thing day one.  Why bother to continue to put myself through this.  This suffering.  This misery.  But i stuck in there and that was 321 days ago.  

But, I can tell you.  If you can get your head around this correctly.  You can do it.  You can do it without misery.  It is 98% in your head.  If you accept that your done and tell yourself you are gonna be happy about it and stay happy, you will be.  

And what comes from this change in life, is a wonderful thing.  Freedom from the nicotene monster is such a great thing.  You will be so happy, feel empowered and wonderful.  It is life changing.  

Read the Allen Carr book and do the free course that Strudel gave you.  It will help you.

Sheri

[Ex_Nancy]

When I quit, I thought I would want to keep smoking the rest of my life, but the OPPOSITE  happened....I felt relieved that I didn't HAVE to smoke anymore...a whole new world  opened up to me day by day....It makes me MUCH happier to not have to cough up a lung everyday....in fact, I don't cough at all and I can exercise too...THE POINT TO  YOU?  Smoking is an illusion and you don't eve LIKE to smoke....in fact, you hate it...the only REAL reason that you continue to smoke is because you are addicted to the DRUG that you are craving.....When you finally READ

http://digg.com/newsbar/topnews/Allen_Carr_s_Easy_Way_To_Stop_Smoking_Download_free_PDF

http://quitsmokingonline.com

You will see this....(ALL of us quit one way or another....and THAT"S scarey. When they put you in a nursing home because you can't breathe, and you cant smoke anyway,WHAT do you have?   NOTHING...)

[Giulia]

Sounds like you're afraid of winning at this.  Because????   That's what YOU have to answer.  Dig deep.  Find out why your inner brain says you need to keep faiing.  And don't be afraid of going there.  Into that place. 

You need to tell your brain:  "I THINK SO, BABE!  I very much think that I can be, and AM a winner!."

What do you have to lose?  "You."  You're not like anyone else on earth.  You're unique.  Don't think so?  Ask your birds.  Or us.  We know how unique you are.  And know that you can quit.... when you are ready to give up the excuses as to why you can't.

[Thomas3.20.2010]

Your body doesn't give you a break because you have a mental illness! The comorbidity of mental illness and smoking related illness is absurdly high! If life is challenging with mental illness, try it with lung disease, stroke, congestive heart failure, cancer, etc....! You don't want to go there! Is Smoking Cessation more challenging with mental illness? Not if you have a CAN DO Attitude! YOU CAN DO THIS! I know whereof I speak! I managed just that over 800 days ago with Emphysema and multiple mental health deficiencies! YOU CAN TOO! NO EXCUSES! Choose Breath Not Death!