mindset challenge

[Shugsbestfriend]

Hi everyone,

I’m new to opening up with this awful addiction, I’ve been struggling terribly with doing this on my own. I’m no spring chicken and have been smoking for almost 40 years ( learned behavior) back when smoking was a part of social acceptance .Parents smoked and drank. We as children learn what we live then live what we’ve learned. Quit drinking 28 years ago ( the only one in the family to quit) yet it was tough. I’m trying to use the 12 step program as I know it, and it just doesn’t seem to apply to smoking in my mind (so far). I’ve read through a lot of others experiences and wondered if anyone out there is conquering this issue alone? I am widowed have no family and no one to kinda lean on for the good, bad, and ugly days! There are No support meetings out my way and I feel like I’m on the pity pot yet I don’t think I can do this on my own, so far I have failed and getting very discouraged. I did stop smoking for just under 2 weeks and had a very stressful circumstance happen at the end of the 2 weeks and back at it again! I’m so tired of smelling like a cigarette, and letting them rule my days weeks, months and years! Any positive affirmations are so welcome ThankYou

[jillygirl Administrator Queen Bee]

Hello Shugsbestfriend and welcome to Quit Support, Thank you for joining our lovely community.First of all your not on your own, we have all been smokers in the past and getting the right plan together you CAN do this.

May we ask are you using any replacement.I suggest you have a good browse through our pinned posts. Lots of information and tips from planning your quit, distractions, mindset, etc.

Meanwhile log in here as we have new informatin almost daily, plus you can meet others similar to yourself.

Here is a link to get you started healthunlocked.com/quitsupp...

Look forward to supporting and helping you quit smoking. 😊

[Yvonneh1234 Administrator Rockerbilly quitter in reply to jillygirl]

Welcome to quit support Shugsbestfriend 😊 great advice from jillygirl we’re here to help support you on your quit smoking journey good luck 🤞 you’ve got this 😊💪xxxx

[Briarwood Administrator Ducky]

Hi Shugsbestfrind and welcome to Quit Support 🙋‍♀️

It’s hard to quit on your own for sure but you’re not alone with the support of this terrific community here.

Just take one day at a time and you’ll get there, we’ve got you🚭💪

Good luck 🍀 you can do it👍 Stay close and we look forward to supporting you on your journey 🤗xx

[monky Administrator 45 Months Cake sniffer outer]

Welcome to Quit Support Shugsbestfriend 👋👋👋and its great that you want to quit the smokes 🚭👍Like has been said, have a good look through the Pinned Posts, if you cant find them, just come a shouting and we will try to help you and point you in the right direction 🚭👍Were only a few clicks away if ya need us 👍😀😸

[LifeIsACabaret 2 YEAR WINNER]

Hi Shugsbestfriend! I just came on to quit Support for the first time in a while to share my elation at being 2 years free of this horrible addiction today. Then I saw your post and thought I'd respond, since our circumstances are pretty similar - similar age, so same influences as a youngster, similar length of time smoking etc.

I found Quit Support members and admins very supportive in my early days of quitting. I, too was very tired of all the nasty things that go with smoking - I ruined countless numbers of very expensive shirts and tops from cigarette burns (I used rolling tobacco, which seems to cause more embers to fall onto your clothes). I had been tired of it for a long, long time, but I began to feel a really powerful feeling of anger, because I realised I had been a slave - a slave to nicotine - almost my whole life, as it had been for my parents.

It felt especially bitter for me, as someone who was raised in Glasgow, Scotland, where the opulent and grand 18th and 19th century city was built upon the vast wealth of the so-called "tobacco lords" - Glasgow businessmen who were nothing more than slavers - they earned their fortunes on their Virginia plantations through the abject misery and endless toil of other human beings - men, women, even little children. I still feel that indignation, that rage even, inside me now as I write this. These people - my own people - and their successors, made money and continue to make money from our misery.

That burning anger is what made me determined to quit this time, no matter what.

It wasn't too long until I felt I was getting the upper hand, that nicotine would no longer enslave me. I would even smile when I felt those frequent pulls to smoke, repeating inside my head "you don't have power over me any longer - I'm way stronger than a dumb chemical".

I just offer this as my experience, in the hope you find something there to give you what you need to quit. You're not alone here. Good luck!