Quitting

[Melissaann2533]

I feel very scared to quit because don't know how to handle time without cigarettes 

[maryfreecig]

Welcome to Ex. Don't let the unknown stop you from being willing to quit, deciding to quit, making a plan and following through. So what if you don't know what you will do? You'll learn!!! You've got strengths, not just this addiction. This is a one day at a time journey when you quit. It's not one week, month, year at a time--just one day at a time.

Planning on what you will do matters--sitting down with pen or paper, or lap top or whatever--and deciding what you will do is part of your quit process. Loads of tips and tricks here at becomeanEx --keep reading, whatever appeals to you, put that on your list. When you quit, use your list. Often in quitting, we get bogged down in our feelings, that's why it is important to have an action plan to go to.

One step, one day at a time you can do this. Welcome to Ex!

[Barbscloud]

@Melissaann2533 Welcome to the Ex.  It's normal to be anxious about quitting.  We've smoked our way through every emotion and activity in our lives.  If you approach your quit one day at a time, it will help to alleviate the fear.  Don't think about forever right now.  Your goal for now is one day.

A big part of quitting is creating new associations to replace smoking.  There's where you plan comes into play.  This link is a great place to learn about tools, cravings and creating those associations.  It's also educating yourself about nicotine addiction plays a big role in a successful quit.

https://www.becomeanex.org/guides/

We're here to support you, so reach out anytime we can help.  Also, consider taking the Daily Pledge.  It's a great way to stay on track one day at a time.

Pick a quit date, plan your quit, and join us on your journey.

Barb

[MarilynH]

Welcome to the community @Melissaann2533 you've made the best decision that you'll ever make in your lifetime and it's definetly the best gift that any of us will ever give ourselves which is the GIFT OF LIFE please read everything you can because there's a wealth of information right here on this site to strengthen your resolve to kick the nicotine poison to the curb its not easy by any stretch of the imagination BUT with commitment and perseverance you will perservere through whatever comes your way and you'll do one precious day at a time or hour minute or even a second at time deep breaths you can do this! Once you pick your quit date get yourself ready for your day one then when it arrives keep your mind as well as your hands occupied and at the end of the day you'll be able to say YAY for DAY WON with many more to come stay close and reach out whenever you need to or just want to vent we're all here to help you in any way we can! 

[Barbscloud]

@Melissaann2533 How are you doing?  If you're still thinking about quitting, I hope you've been doing some reading on the site to motivate you and make you feel more secure.  It's hard, but it's doable.  Hope you'll check back.

Barb

[biscuit9]

You should fear continuing to smoke, not quitting.  You already know the path that smoking can take you down.  The fear you feel,  is your addiction telling you "you NEED me".  Educate yourself on nicotine addiction, there is alot of information on this site and other places.  Understanding it will help you learn how to quit smoking.  Quit day 144 and every addict has been right where you are.  The addiction does not want you to quit.  Read Allen Carr's book, Easyway, it can help you.  

[CommunityAdmin]

@Melissaann2533 the Mayo team just posted Is FEAR holding you back? . 

You could also check out 100+ Things to do instead of smoking / vaping / chewing so you can have some activities to do with the time you will gain.