So disappointed

[nsd_user663_16674]

This is the first time I have posted on this forum but I have been following it on and off for a while.

I stopped smoking back in July and was so proud of myself for keeping this up, to be honest I found it really easy this time, was told I might be made redundant at work and still never crumbled(didn't even enter my mind to smoke). But two weeks ago we went away on holiday for the week and thought to myself I could really fancy a cigarette, I then had one, I've now been smoking for two weeks. This is not the first time I've done this, in the past two years I've probably stopped about four times, I find the initial part really not too bad, then it gets to anywhere between 6 weeks and 3 months then something enters my mind that I want a cigarette and I always give in so easily. I think it is once the cravings have stopped I think I can just have one but it never is.

Help, I really want to stop for good, anyone been through the same?

Lesley

ps. I don't smoke during Mon-Wed when I'm working, it's just when I'm not that I struggle.

[nsd_user663_1733]

Hi Lesley

dont get on this site much these days but seen you never had a reply so logged on. Yes i know where your coming from hun. My very first quit was going along very nice when I went on holiday. Only had one or two puffs but that was it for me just kept bliping every few days. then quit again but caved after family probs thats still happening today so smoking never helpped then and will not help now. So quit again and here i am almost 2 years not one puff and feel great. You just need to take one day at a time forget about other quits make this a brand new one just for you. i smoked 40 and more everyday for 35 years so you see it can be done. Pick a day and go for it hun every quit starts with day one. xxxx

[nsd_user663_3910]

Hi Lesley, same here, first two quits, ending up thinking I could just have the odd one. We hold on to that dream, it's almost so we don't have to entirely give up this thing that we genuinely feel we need or enjoy. Specially on holiday, not normal routine, won't matter etc. etc.

This time when I quit, I went ahead with the full knowledge that this was it, not one more puff ever. I know that if I allowed myself just one, I would then find various excuses to have another, then another. It scared me to bits which is why I had to think of quitting as one day/hour at a time, I couldn't think of it long term for months.

Bottom line is that no matter what the circumstances, place, country, company etc. etc. you cannot allow yourself the slightest hesitation in thinking about smoking. As soon as that thought enters your head it has to be immediately squashed, not pondered over, because as soon as you start pondering then you are in danger of convincing yourself of reasons why just one won't matter.

Get those reasons firmly in your head so that at any time of hesitation, you can reinforce them straight away.

You will succeed and you will find a way, don't worry about failed attempts, look at what you've learned from them and take it with you on your next quit.

Best wishes,

Lorraine

[nsd_user663_5972]

Hiya Lesley like yourself and Linda and many others I have had a few attempts at quitting. My last quit attempt went wrong when I went on my hols. As Linda said forget about your previous quits but see remember where it went wrong so you don't make the same mistakes (if that makes sense). Take one day at a time and one crave at a time and read about the addiction to nicotine - particularly about caring for your quit and how the nico monster can creep up on us when we least expect it.

Good luck Hun and keep posting xx

[nsd_user663_16723]

Hi Lesley, same here, first two quits, ending up thinking I could just have the odd one. We hold on to that dream, it's almost so we don't have to entirely give up this thing that we genuinely feel we need or enjoy. Specially on holiday, not normal routine, won't matter etc. etc.

This time when I quit, I went ahead with the full knowledge that this was it, not one more puff ever. I know that if I allowed myself just one, I would then find various excuses to have another, then another. It scared me to bits which is why I had to think of quitting as one day/hour at a time, I couldn't think of it long term for months.

Bottom line is that no matter what the circumstances, place, country, company etc. etc. you cannot allow yourself the slightest hesitation in thinking about smoking. As soon as that thought enters your head it has to be immediately squashed, not pondered over, because as soon as you start pondering then you are in danger of convincing yourself of reasons why just one won't matter.

Get those reasons firmly in your head so that at any time of hesitation, you can reinforce them straight away.

You will succeed and you will find a way, don't worry about failed attempts, look at what you've learned from them and take it with you on your next quit.

Best wishes,

Lorraine

I bolded some of your post, that is very good advice.

[nsd_user663_5971]

Lesley - there's a short phrase that I fully believe "Note One Puff Ever" - I picked it up on this site and I constantly remind myself of it.

[nsd_user663_16674]

Thanks Guys, now on day three and so far so good

Lesley

[nsd_user663_16474]

Hi Lesley, same here, first two quits, ending up thinking I could just have the odd one. We hold on to that dream, it's almost so we don't have to entirely give up this thing that we genuinely feel we need or enjoy. Specially on holiday, not normal routine, won't matter etc. etc.

This time when I quit, I went ahead with the full knowledge that this was it, not one more puff ever. I know that if I allowed myself just one, I would then find various excuses to have another, then another. It scared me to bits which is why I had to think of quitting as one day/hour at a time, I couldn't think of it long term for months.

Bottom line is that no matter what the circumstances, place, country, company etc. etc. you cannot allow yourself the slightest hesitation in thinking about smoking. As soon as that thought enters your head it has to be immediately squashed, not pondered over, because as soon as you start pondering then you are in danger of convincing yourself of reasons why just one won't matter.

Get those reasons firmly in your head so that at any time of hesitation, you can reinforce them straight away.

You will succeed and you will find a way, don't worry about failed attempts, look at what you've learned from them and take it with you on your next quit.

Best wishes,

Lorraine

Lesley,

I've re-iterated Karen's highlighting of Lorraines's post as I feel it's most important. I'm finding myself trying to justify just having one and that 'it won't hurt' but such thoughts *have* to be banished immediately. I failed a 9 month quit a few years back due to the flawed 'one won't hurt' thinking. I'm afraid there are no half-way houses here. You're either a smoker or a non-smoker. We're all choosing the latter!!

Day 3's a fantastic start!! Keep building on that and stay strong.

Good luck!!

xx