Hang on in there

Just a quick update to say that I made it into month 4 on 1st December.

Quitting for me has been a strange experience. It's been a challenge and certainly a struggle at times but I'm so glad that I stuck it out. Now I've got this far I want to keep going.

I just want to say "Hang on in there" to any new quitters if they ever feel like throwing the towel in when the going gets tough. It's just not worth it and I know because I've been a bit of a serial quitter in my time.

It is definitely true that the longer you stay quit the easier it becomes. I've come this far but there's still a long way to go before I can call myself an ex smoker with complete confidence. After smoking for over 30 years that's only to be expected though.

From time to time I do still get the odd thoughts of smoking but they've become much more manageable as time's gone on. My determination (or need) to quit has become stronger than any urge I have to smoke and for me that's been a massive breakthrough and realization. If I allow myself to lose my quit now after coming so far I know I'd be a fool to myself.

It does feel good not to be buying cigarettes, or standing like a leper in the rain puffing away, or constantly feel guilty for smoking and yet I have to be honest and say that I did enjoy it.

This quit hasn't always been an easy or enjoyable experience for me but it has become a personal challenge that I don't want to lose.

I love this new and liberating feeling of satisfaction I'm getting by just being able to get on with my life without smoking. I don't want to lose it, not now.

Hang on in there everybody because quitting is achievable if you really want it enough.

9 Replies

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  • No better post to read before bed! I am so happy you finally cracked it Linda! ... Im happy and extremely proud of you.

    I know you struggled many times but I also know you didn't give up.

    You kept it cool, rational, you also managed to put some sense in my head...and for that I'm eternally grateful.

    Well done Linda, I'm delighted for you.

    Xxx

  • Well done Linda, isn't it nice when you finally see the light and realise that you can survive quite happily without smoking. I know this batttle was hard won for you so serious congratulations.

  • Thanks Mmaya and Sued.

    It does feel great to have got this far and reached the point where I feel I can say I'm in charge of my quit but I know I'll have to be careful for some time yet.

    The good thing is that at long my quit isn't ruling my every waking moment and I can get on with other things without having to remind myself constantly that I mustn't smoke.

    I think not smoking for me is still a work in progress but it's making a massive improvement to my life and the way I feel about myself.

    I still don't think I've quite reached the point where I can honestly say that I know I'll never smoke again (never is a long time) but when that does happen I'll be ecstatic.

  • I know exactly what you mean. The very same here. I am very happy and relaxed now, but I wouldn't dare yet to call myself an ex-smoker.

    We will get there ....eventually :)

  • Linda... very well done and thank you for such a nice and inspiring post.... Honest and true... I have said it so many times...I am to much of a sissy to go through this quit experience again...The headaches, the insomnia, the muscle aches, the coughing up slime and grime, the loneliness, the emotions, that flat feeling with no mojo and no sparkle ... Never ever again (Yes never is a long time but it is gonna be a long time before I might smoke again..) I hope to see myself one day as an ex smoker but for now I am a smoker who chooses not to smoke any more...

    Good for us is that when I think of smoking now I only remember the bad things.. Yes agreed just hang on in there and the non smoking days accumulate rapidly ....:):)

  • ...I am a smoker that chooses not to smoke anymore - nailed it!!! Love it.

  • Well done Linda. Excellent progress for sure. Stay strong, the battle to remain smoke free continues everyday but the army gets smaller and weaker with each day that passes. So really the only way nico demon can get back in is we give our soldiers at the gate a day off. Keep your gaurd up at all times.

  • Very well done Linda and thanks for such an honest post. Like you I too enjoyed smoking. I didn't quit because I hated it at all and that means I miss it so much more!

    But every day I celebrate being smoke free is another day towards overcoming the addiction and forgetting what I miss.

    And like Hercu says, who, in their right mind would want to go through this quit again?

  • Well done Linda on reaching 4 months, from reading above posts you are fighting some battle, that is some testament to you and how strong willed person you are, keep going, you are heading to victory and thank you for an encouraging and honest post. Keeping our guards up at all times is so vital......xx

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