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@robin0212 I remember that when I was younger I would want to fight someone whenever I tried quit. The frustration, anxiety, and anger(at myself, I later realized. How could I allow myself to become an addict? Me?! AN. ADDICT.) would just cause me to blow up! I have a scar on the outside of my hand when I just so happened to hit a wall where a paneling nail had backed out of it. Yeah, I smoked a bloody cigarette. Deep breaths. They worked wonders for me. They still do. You say in your mind or aloud if you want, you can even scream it, “I’m not doing this.” Walk away and breathe. Just breathe. Just breathe in all of the beautiful air that you can and be thankful for it. Or you can pull the covers over your head and cry it out. I cried, ugly cried, and sweated and fought the Nicodemon in my mind for three whole days when I first quit and that was with the patch! I suffer from severe anxiety and panic attacks. I don’t take medications for it. I really needed the assist from NRT. I know that you read this all of the time on this board but, “if I can quit, anyone can.” It is so true though. As bad as it is, it’s still not as bad as I imagined it would be. You can do this. However you need to do it. For you. It has to be for you. I hope that you succeed in your quit. Don’t give up. Keep trying. Show those girls of yours just what their Mama can do!

I hear ya gf, life happens Yes I only found out/realized cigs were my onlyyyy coping strategy for lots of emotions…it was crazy. I think I’m still learning good coping strategies lol. Hey 6 hours is a big accomplishment, even if u don’t think so. It was 1 hr at a time for me for a while. I bought an analog clock and put it by the tv it was helpful

Have you tried Chantix? You can get it from your doctor, it's a prescription. The first time I quit it really helped me. It makes you forget to smoke. I was quit for 6 years when unfortunately my husband had a heart procedure and I was so stressed and nervous that I went back. Or you can try the Nicoderm patch or gum. A lot of people say that really helped them. Yes, keeping busy helps. I have been walking since I quit and I find that helps too, plus it's easier to breathe when you don't smoke. Hang in there!!

Robin .. Sorry to read you smoked. Sounds like you still believe cigerettes do something for you .. Read read read everything on our main board ,watch joel,s video,s. You need to stay closer to the board ,so we can help you through . We have a SOS..we carnt help if you won't let us.. Get back on the train ,take your sest And stay buckled up .. You can do it !!!

11 months, 7 days and 9 hours per my ticker lol. I was determined to quit and nothing was going to stop it, took a week off work, bought all kinds of snacks and distractions to stay busy. Sunday night, Monday morning prepared for the battle. My family was a big support so that was a help, but in the end you have to do it for yourself. I think the biggest thing was all the information, everything I learned, here on the Train and support from all the quitters. For me knowing (the why) .. I felt, was acting, was thinking... was key to battling the cravings. All the best, there are a lot of great/smart people here to help you if you choose.

NOPE

NOPE

NOPE!

NOPE

It’s NEVER too late!! A real turning point in my quit was when I started feeling fierce. I began to climb out of despair and instead got pissed that I’d let myself become an addict, furious at the purveyors of poison who hooked me, and angry about being manipulated. I became super protective of my quit. I wasn’t going to let a moment of madness rob me of my quit after all the blood, sweat and tears I’d put into it. I became annoyed at, rather than terrorized by, the cravings. Part of that shift was the short temper and “prickles” that come with quitting. (Might as well turn them to our advantage!) But I think mostly it was about turning the tables on smoking and taking my own power back. Find your own fight, Robin. You can do this!

Well I am kind of shaking in my boots here .... ummmm .... Gus is that why your avatar looks so .................. nevermind.

@jillar Agree so much worse in our head. Thinking about getting beyond that first month helps.

@Brioski Frustration. 14 and 19 year old daughters. That sums it up lol. For me smoking was always so medicating for anger. Or maybe for everything. Like any addict. It's been 6 hours, sigh.

When I relapsed last year i never went back to never smoking while driving. That was THE WORST association for me to give up. It has to be easier now right?! The mental torture of walking away from the garage door (i only smoke outside near garage). I know. It sounds dramatic but it's so hard to verbalize what that moment feels like as it passes. Though you all know that feeling, just need to vent! Ty!

^^this^^. We have it in our heads that it's going to be horrible but in hindsight it isn't that bad. It sucks for a while but it's not painful. If anything you'll start feeling better. Your blood will start flowing better, your sense of smell and taste come back. All things you didn’t even know you were missing until you have them back As far as quitting because you have to and not because you want to was my story too. Have to or want to they are both totally doable as long as you want it.

NRT never worked for me, tried almost everything .... no I did, tried them all. For me knowing if I made it three days and the Nicotine was out of my system, from then on was going to be a battle in my mind. I started out prepared and it was not as bad as I thought it was going to be.

Thank you everyone. I have been watching Joel's videos for 2 hours. I am feeling like I NEED to quit more than I WANT to quit, and everytime I have this thought I start crying. I don't want to do nicotine replacement or Chantix. I may sound stubborn, but If I can go 8 or 9 hours then I dont want to add nicotine.

G’day NOPE .....Not One Puff Ever.... (replace Ever with Min,Hour, Day as required).

I finally decided to take the pledge folks! NOPE!!

You can be....just keep trying, I have failed so many times and finally have a good little quit going on. Don't give up, keep trying, gaining information, getting better and stronger each time. Stay on the train and you no longer have to be a slave to nicotine.

NOPE!

Nope....

I see lots of long term quits of people whom I remember from the early days of my quit,...... Congratulations! To all the newbies, whether you are brand new to your quit or you have already crossed many milestones.......... 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, a holiday, an anniversary, that 1st cigarette of the day, the one before bed, after eating, a stressful situation, an excuse that you powered through.....whatever it may be....I hope that you are proud.....i hope that you are so excited about the strength that you possess...I hope you know what a rock star you are for committing to your quit and making it a top priority. The only way over it is through it.....you are doing it. Congratulations!!! I may not visit the board often, but I do think of the folks here (and my former board) that were such a huge part of my success. When people ask how I finally achieved my sticky quit, I always talk about how this online group educated me and supported me. Absolutely picked me up, held me up and never gave up on me. CONGRATULATIONS TO ONE AND ALL

NOPE - Not One Puff Ever Life is much better without cigarettes.

I love this! I need to turn the tables!

Ouch re the nail! I know the anger from withdrawal is so real! Tears too..and everything actually! New coping skills will be hard to learn for me but never to late right? Ty for the cheer! Haha!! I was thinking the same thing!

I totally get that, Robin….I used to smoke in my garage so every time I went in there was a mini battle, it took a while for the smell to go away but I liked it lol. That’s HUGE that you broke that association w the car!! I guess quitting is doing that in a bunch of places in a way. The mental game is a real one but look at all these ppl who are doing it, it’s totally doable…I never thought I could do it. My mom quit way before me, 8 yrs ago, and I neverrrr thought she’d quit. What was it on Thursday that u decided to have them? Sorry u caved gf…..all u can do is try again when you’re ready.

I thinks it's boredom-I will work on this. Maybe take on knitting!! Thank you for reaching out. How long has it been now for you? What helped?

What a great post @beazel, and I know I say this every time you stop in but its really great to see you

NOPE Life is far better without cigarettes,

Caved!!! Couple a day since Thursday. Ugh. I wish I could be that couple of day person forever.