Six weeks and a day....

[counslr]

Hello!

I simply wanted to post and say that it's been six weeks and a day without a cigarette, and while proud, it's been a true challenge!

Oddly, the biggest challenge this time around, has come from those who have stated (and not simply on this site) that being on the patch does not "count" as being smoke free, as I'm not nicotine free.

In the past, I rushed through the steps, so much so, that I truly believe I did myself a disservice. When stressors, real stressors struck, as they always do, I reverted back to cigarettes.

Today was a particularly difficult day, but I managed not to succumb to my faulty thinking.

Both my husband and I have been cigarette-free for six weeks + now, and I'm hopeful that we'll carry on

Thanks so much to all for your kind words of encouragement along the way

[LilyMay73 LONG TERM WINNER]

Hi counsir, congratulations on 6 weeks smoke free (and yes, that is what you are) it's a great achievement 😁 and for the doubters, pah! A quit is a quit and however you choose to do it be it NRT, champix or cold turkey, while you're not putting a cigarette in your mouth and smoking it you're smoke free so keep on doing exactly what you're doing as it obviously works for you. Well done 😊

[glolin LONG TERM WINNER]

ho counsir....you and hubby are doing brilliantly....NRT is designed to support you in the quitting smoking process..and that is exactly what you are doing

Like Lilly said - you are 6 weeks off the ciggies so well done

[Briarwood Administrator Ducky]

Congratulations you ARE smokefree and doing very well, so be very proud of your achievement👍🏼 6 weeks is fantastic💐😊

[Pinkiezoom 26 Months Winner]

Don't listen to those that say you have not really stopped smoking because of the patches...its pure poppycock of course you have achieved a massive thing, you are smoke free and free from all the other 4000 poisons and chemicals that cigarettes have in them.

My brother loves to tell me " that i haven't really quit" while he puffs away on a ciggie..... i just smile and think, " just because you haven't got the balls to try" and i smugly wander off knowing i have done great things. I think people that try and belittle your achievement are just jealous as its human nature to be jealous of others success.

When ever i hit a stresser i used to have a mantra, i would say " you have the nicotine you need" and i would repeat it. I use a vape to quit and it has taken me two years hun, and i am still not nicotine free, but i am on a lot lower dose, and you know what, after the first 2 months it hasnt even been that much of a struggle. Yes its taken longer than I thought, but I still smile at myself in the mirror and admire my whiter teeth, healthier skin, and love all the stuff i have bought by putting the ten quid a day away that i would have wasted.

Stay strong you have got this xx