Can I quit just for 10 minutes?

[Blue_Skies]

I feel like I've tried 1000 things to quit, but I keep caving. I'm the type of person that keeps thinking to myself "I'll quit tomorrow" or "I'll just smoke right now and not again." This thought process keeps going on every single day and I'm never able to fully quit. I'll quit briefly, but then I'll cave to the thought that I'll "just smoke this once."

Has anyone had success by trying to do just the opposite? By saying something along the lines of "I just won't smoke for the next 10 minutes" every time you have an urge to smoke, and by starting over with the 10 minutes with every new urge? Is it possible to turn this into a permanent habit and then continue it forever?

I've been telling myself this for the last hour (have needed to do it at least 20 times), but so far it's been a success. Does anyone know if this can turn into a permanent success?

Thank you to those who respond!

[anaussiemom]

Blue_Skies   Please take your time with the patches there is no rush.  Read the instructions...You have to unlearn the habit of smoking.  So, personal choice for me, addicted to nicotine patch?  Or tobacco ?   I will live with the patch.  My lungs are breathing better, no tainted tobacco in my body, I can walk my dog, with a small NRT.   Ya I will take that!  My doc will too!   Thats the facts at this time in the studies of medicine!  Hugs

[Giulia]

We haven't given up on you.  Have you given up on you?  Don't.  "When nothing is certain - everything is possible."

[DonnaMarie]

Every single day, I tell myself that I will not smoke for this day. That started with telling myself I will not smoke for an hour, for 10 minutes, for whatever period of time it took. If I have an unexpected urge, I still tell myself I will not smoke for 10 minutes. My hope and belief is that this will translate into I will not ever smoke again as time continues and my resistance grows stronger. 

Congrats to you for breaking it down. It truly is one cigarette at a time. Just don't smoke this one. When you have the urge, maybe consider not smoking that one. And on and on  You're not alone.

Donna

Day 47 (staying quit partly because of my participation here at EX)

[Blue_Skies]

Thank you for the support and congrats on getting to day 47!

[anaussiemom]

Blue_Skies

[Barb102]

Yes small interval quits worked for me in the beginning. I had my patch yet the thought of not smoking all day was too overwhelming for me. I said 15 mins tried to get busy and it passed. I told myself if after 1/2 hr I would go out and drive to buy them.  It never came to that. I stretched in each day armed with the fact that I did it the day before. Before you know it I really meant the daily pledge. Do anything that works for you to keep you from smoking. Not one puff ever. You can do this