Hi Annette, Welcome! Everyone's advice thus far sounds really good, however, Danielle seems to have something in common with you, and her specifics of her quit sound like a big push in the right direction for you.
I quit cold turkey. I quit for a few days before coming to this site. When I found this site, I was on here for hours a day that first couple of weeks. I found that blogging, commenting and reading profiles really helped me mentally. As the days have gone by, my time has leveled off, and I'm not on nearly as long each time as I was, but I still come here a couple of times a day. I have had a few "moments" of frustration, but not the "omg, if don't have a cigarette I'm gonna kill someone" moments I've had in the past when quitting. This is what I did, and this has been the easiest quit I've ever had.
I realized this was MY quit. I had to do what I could to get through this for me. If that meant spending long hours on the internet, on this site to keep my mind focused, that's what I did. I didn't let ANYTHING deter me. I explained it to my husband and kids, that this was MY time, and they would just have to understand.
I renewed a couple of hobbies that kept my hands busy. Crocheting, knitting, sewing, quilting. I also found all the boxes of pics I needed to put in albums and got after that. I cleaned out the pantry. I made pickled jalapenos. I planted seeds for the fall garden.
I had my kids get rid of all reminders of smoking. Ashtrays, etc. They were more than glad to do it.
I read Allen Carr's book, The Easy Way to Quit Smoking. I highly recommend it. It changed my perspective on smoking and my attitude about it did a 180.
I had acupuncture on Day 2 and sometime in the second week. I highly recommend that, too. It is not expensive, and it totally took the edge off. It relaxes you on the inside. I can't explain it, but it works. I may go back, just for the hell of it, it works so well.
I also truly believe I am worth this quit. I have loved myself, given myself what I needed to get to this point, and not allowed ANYTHING to interfere with it. I have nurtured myself, and given myself a wonderful gift, because I am worth it. I have my self respect back. I am proud of myself. I pat myself on the back, every single day. I feel beautiful. I am a little curvier as a result of the quit, and that is fine with me. I look in the mirror and see a healthy, vibrant, non-smoking woman.
The benefits are endless and I review them many times a day. I am so grateful that I am much more loving now that I know I don't smell anymore. I kiss my hubby more, I hug my kids more, I am not worried about keeping my distance while talking due to my breath. I no longer cough in the mornings, and STILL enjoy my coffee (although I don't drink as much of it as I used to, for some reason). My life is no longer dictated by the next cigarette. I have more time with my kids without having to go outside to smoke. I don't procrastinate anymore. My kids needs come first...no more "wait, let me finish my cigarette" when they ask for something. The list goes on and on. Focusing on those things really has made a difference for me.
Remember, you don't "try" to quit. You quit. It really is that simple when you decide to do it.
