10 days in..

[nsd_user663_50956]

Hey,

I've made multiple quit attempts in the past and am now 10 days in another. Last cigarette was on 30/03/15

Any tips to avoid complacency? That's always been my problem in the past. I haven't been smoking for very long, only since 2011, but enough to pick up a 12 a day habit.

I manage to quit for extended periods but it seems to be forgetting how hard it was to get through those first few days that's the problem.

J

[nsd_user663_63741]

Think most of us have made many attempts at quitting and gone back to it. I think we have to retrain our brains a bit more to stay quit. We smokers really believe that cigs solve all our problems when in fact it's the reverse. I am now 34 days into this quit and I know I have approached it differently to previous quits and am finding it much easier. I know I will never smoke again. I read Allan Carrs book and it truly helped me to see smoking for what it truly is and not what my fantasised version was. hope we can all help you stay quit this time

[nsd_user663_62294]

Hi Jordan, well done on your 10 days. Complacency can be a problem, especially that 'I will just have one while I'm out, it won't mean I smoke again', but it does and then you are back on the roundabout of smoking again. It is hard but you can do it. Good luck

[nsd_user663_59644]

Just popping in to say a huge well done, let's make this quit the quit that counts post and read often, for me it's just a term of words!!!

Just keep doing what your doing, and you will stay quit.

Any probs please post and wait for replys. Doing fantastic

[nsd_user663_63277]

Hi jordan. I think sticking to NOPE not one puff ever is a must. I, like most people have had the 'I will have one and that is it' cigarette before sliding down that slippery slope.

The alan carr book has definitely helped in the past. Joining thia forum and posting my thoughts often has for sure helped. In terms of staying on the right road I have to be fully aware of my triggers, which used to be most things... and work through them one by one until each trigger doesn't mean I will smoke I.e. rewiring the brain. I suppose the first few things were the main triggers e.g. the drive to work, the morning coffee etc.

Let us know your challenges and how you feel abour them

[nsd_user663_63114]

Congratulation on 10 days. Complacency is a problem, I think it was further into my quit. Quitting smoking became boring for me, that perpetual state of denying myself a perceived treat. I know smoking is horrible and have read all the ghastly stuff, but when week 4 feels like week 3, and you think you've got the urge to smoke under control, complacency raises it's ugly head. Just one does hurt, read the post from those that had a slip up. Those that don't come back to the forum. Those that have to go through withdrawal again.

What keeps me off fags is the idea of having to repeat that first week again.

Keep going, it can be monotonous but the rewards to your health and bank balance out weigh any thoughts of complacency x

[Incy_Wincy]

Hi Jordanfriday

You're doing well. My top tip would be making lists you can refer to in moments of temptation. I carry around a list of reasons I wanted to quit, a list of the benefits of not smoking which I add to whenever I notice something new (cleaner teeth, more money to spare etc etc), and a list of plans to help me resist temptation (drinking water instead, doing some exercise, etc).

In real life, I can't even stick to a shopping list, but these really seemed to help. As well as hanging around here, which seemed to give me a sense of accountability

Stay strong, and say NOPE - it really works!

[Incy_Wincy]

Oh, and changing routines helped a lot too!

[nsd_user663_50956]

Thanks guys.. now 11 days in. It's strange but I only get the urge to smoke maybe once or twice a day now.

From what i've gathered this seems to be substantially less than a normal smoker.

However, I have only been smoking for 4 years and in that time it's been on and off.

Really is a horrific habit to kick though, whatever your circumstances. Oh well, onwards and upwards

[nsd_user663_58050]

Hi Jordan. All the best with quitting. It seems from what you wrote in your original post that the actual crunch point for you is not the stopping but being unwilling to continue being a non-smoker. Thats a challenge that all of us face who use this forum. I Think for most of us, certainly for me, it's retraining to recognise that smoking isn't pleasant in order not to lapse.

Posting frequently on here also helps a great deal, either for support/advice or to give support/advice. I didn't believe that at first but this forum has saved me from smoking on several occasions.