The best time to quit

[nsd_user663_54305]

If you're reading this and thinking of quitting, maybe you've been giving some thought to when the best time to actually take the plunge might be.

Obviously not now, because there is far too much going on in your life right now to even think about quitting smoking. The kids are playing up / the inlaws are visiting at the weekend / the washing machine has flooded the kitchen / the car broke down / you're stressed out at work / [insert your excuses here].

If you're smoking right now, I'll bet without too much effort you can list a handful of reasons why now is not the right time. Of course, usually we think of reasons which are short term problems - look at your list of reasons and you can probably convince yourself that you'll have them all dealt with within a week, or a fortnight at the very most. With that lot out of the way, you'll be able to turn your attention to the serious business of quitting - and you know it's a serious business don't you, that's why you need all these other distractions cleared first. So, having rationalised your current situation, you convince yourself that the ideal time to quit is in a fortnight - not right now, but really really soon, just around the corner in fact.

I used to do this all the time. Looking back, I realise I did it for years:eek:. Every time I cleared my current set of problems, a new set would come and take their place - and just like the last set, I could see my way through them in a couple of weeks, and then it would be time, oh yes, for sure, no messing this time:rolleyes::rolleyes:.

Those weeks quickly turn into years. Those problems are not really problems at all, they are just life happening. Your addict mind seizes on them as excuses. Stop letting the addiction win - the time to stop is not next week or next month, it's RIGHT NOW:D

[nsd_user663_61881]

So so true Egg - I shouldn't think anyone has a life with no problems or stresses, there is never an easy time to quit, so I guess just go for it!

[nsd_user663_61573]

Good post Egg, and a lot of truth in there. I think when it comes to quitting smoking a lot of people just know when the time is right, I certainly did, just did it one monday morning had ten fags or so left in the packet and just thought thats it and threw them out. Heard a good analogy off someone who said quitting is like a surfer waiting for the right wave to come along and take him right into the shore, obviously some people will fall off the board long before reaching the shore, but you should always get back on and try again. Lifes up's and down's can have an effect on someones quit but if your time is right and your mind is right your headed for the penthouse in my opinion.

[hellerscatch]

Spot on egg, think I have used every single one of those excuses, several times over the years :rolleyes:

This time I decided, no excuses, no putting it off, if you gona do it, just do it :eek: and I did

[nsd_user663_59644]

Hi Egg,

Ah yes lots of excuses for many, time and time again, I would be so interest to know, what the average age of our quit starts on the forum.

One of the issues is the way quitting is portrayed by the media, like its sooo dreadful, you will be pulling teeth out, eating animal ect, but in reality with support (of which I need) quitting is achievable and yes for many many people it does present many difficulties.

But the power of this forum , with its wealth of knowledge , makes quitting seem ok.

The question is how do we get people on the outside to REALISE quitting is very very doable, and not to bad with support.

[nsd_user663_54305]

Restarting really depends on the person and context but if someone can get back on the horse quickly (in days) the first month or so really doesn't hurt in the same way as it would if you left it a year for example methinks :)

I think that's right Jenny, it does depend very much on the person and context, but also crucially whether it is a one off or a 'repeat offence'.

It's very easy to get sucked into a cycle of serial quitting, and that can be a very demoralising place to be, with every failure knocking a little bit more self-confidence out of us until we despair that we will ever be finally free:eek:

[nsd_user663_59644]

"Cycle of serial quitting" perhaps needs a bit more airtime. Not something I know about. I had one blip on this one and got back quite quickly. I had just one puff on two previous quits went back to full time smoker for year as a result. Had a number of blips before one long quit. Lordy it is hard isn't it :):)

Yes it's sooo very hard, in the modern day with have so much to assist us in our quits, and yet the forum is probably the major contributor in keeping our quits going.

The power of the forum

[nsd_user663_62343]

Great post Egg and oh so true

Thank goodness that we all managed to get past that and give it a go

[nsd_user663_54305]

Great post Egg and oh so true

Thank goodness that we all managed to get past that and give it a go

I just hope I haven't upset whinger, er no, hang on... winger:p

[nsd_user663_54305]

...I have no idea what you are talking about...

You know the thread coz you posted on it - winger the one post wonder:D

[nsd_user663_60964]

Now then, now then.....

Good post Egg (as always). I procrastinated for the best part of 30 years before deciding enough was enough. How sad is that?

[nsd_user663_62376]

I was always really really good at finding reasons why now was not the time to quit. Job is too stressful, buying a house, kid is sick, mum is sick, death in the family, friend going through a hard time and needs my support, study, uni, exams, new boss, new job, old job that I was sick of etc etc. Did that for the best part of 40 years...

This time, since starting my quit 30 days ago I have dealt with a dear friend in intensive care for over two weeks, mum in hospital and now waiting for permanent aged care - which I need to arrange, and a new boss who is from hell.

I have been so tempted to use any or all of these as an excuse to take up my old friend the cigarette but keep asking myself how a smoke is going to help with any of this stuff. The answer is obvious - it won't. All it will do is make me disappointed in myself. And I will have to look into the eyes of my very supportive husband and tell him I have started smoking again (he gave away the dreaded fags 8 years ago) and he worries constantly about my health while never ever nagging me to give up.

So I am going to stay off them - abstinence is no where near as likely to kill me as smoking is.

Now if only I could sleep and stop being angry with the world all would be good

[nsd_user663_60964]

Lovely post Kaz

..And the sleep (and lack of anger) will come...

In the meantime, channel that anger into imagining things you would like to do to your boss.