Ok one of my friends, has asked a question in another forum about how far we've come. MomMom suggested we go back and take a look at when we first came here wanting to quit and where we are today. I thought it might be helpful to all the courageous new people who are here looking for answers to post my thoughts. We all come here asking most of the same questions and making most of the same statements. Here are some of mine (or at least I was thinking them even if I didn't post them) and some of the ones I've seen many times in the past 10 weeks:
I really want to quit but I don't know how, or where to start.
I'm afraid, but I have to do this because (fill in your own reason here)_________.
I've failed___times and I want it to work this time.
My doctor says if I don't quit __________.
My friend/relative died from _________ smoking related illness.
My spouse/children/parents really want me to quit but__________.
Ok...the list is much longer, but you get the drift.
Here's the important nitty gritty, bare bones stuff that helped me. These things might not work for everyone so take what you want and leave the rest.
FIRST AND MOST IMPORTANT:
Quitting really is not as scary as it seems to be once you've actually begun your quit...if you are PREPARED. Learn and educate yourself as much as humanly possible. Read everything you can here, do all the quit program tools on the left side of this page, plus read The Easyway to Quit Smoking by Mr. Carr and any other quit smoking or self improvement books you think will help you.
KNOWLEDGE REPLACES FEAR (thanks golferman, lady, rusty, duffis, bubba and so, so many others for helping me and newbies like me by posting your knowledge). Watch for those old gem posts with lots of views and replies and search for specific things you want to know. Get the knowledge you need to know about this addiction. Then accept, and I mean FULLY ACCEPT and embrace the simple fact that you are an addict. Then and only then can you make your plans to kick the ashes out of it and take your life back.
Secondly, MAKE A COMMITMENT TO YOURSELF AND a public one to your loved ones and SET A QUIT DATE.
You can start by writing a letter to your family explaining what you are going to do and what you think they can expect fro
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Quit Meter
$128,486.40
Amount Saved
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Quit Meter
Days: 863
Hours: 12
Minutes: 12
Seconds: 45
Life Gained
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Quit Meter
6692
Smoke Free Days
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Quit Meter
321,216
Cigarettes Not Smoked
