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Share your quitting journey

Until

JACKIE1-25-15
Member
2 16 31

Yes, just like many of you I have tried quitting before and failed.  I often wondered why I couldn’t if others could.    God bless the reasoning but as I recall not one reason included me.  Sure, I got rid of the ashtrays and anything that reminded you of smoking.  No longer smoked in my car and all sorts of stuff. As I look back some was a little nonsense.  Books, products, hypnosis, societies and other web sites etc, just to name a few.   Anyway, I was advised by a smoking cessation program at my job to register at EX.  I did and that was it. Almost 2yrs had passed and I received an email from EX.  I guess I had been getting them all the time but was deleting them.  Never had a clue that there was a site like EX available with real people who had successful quits to help me.   I was so tired of smoking and made a vow to myself that if I ever quit again I would never ever go through another day one.  NEF

After 546 Days Free I can answer why I failed at quitting while others had success:   

Until I finally realized the importance of the knowledge of nicotine addiction, what’s in a cigarette, etc. my thinking would not have changed about having the “need” to smoke.

Until I learned, studied, practiced self-talk, and relearned my thinking I would still be stuck. 

Until I accepted the fact that I was not losing anything I may fail.

Until I was willing to let it go I would stay on the course of a vicious slow death.

Until I made up in my mind that I was not going to smoke and was totally committed I would fail. 

Until I gave it my all and pledged to myself that no matter what, I would literally not put a cigarette in my hand, not on my lips, not on my tongue, not in my lungs, not in my throat, I will not choke, not up my nose, not in my clothes;  BTW that became one of my theme songs and mantras and I became a nonsmoker. 

Until I gave it my all and learned HALT, NOPE NEF SINAO and had a support group and friends like the EX community I would fail.  

Until I committed daily to study and read the blogs and listen to the advice of the Elders I would fail. 

Until I learned that my quit was the most important thing in my life I failed.   

Until I did it for me and believed that I was a non-smoker I would never become one.  

Until I gave it every part of my inner being through God’s strength, determination, education, perseverance, honesty, forgiveness, soul searching, praying, making friends, singing, crying, laughing, screaming I would fail. 

Until I meant by any means necessary I will not smoke, no matter what I would fail. 

Each day I get stronger and the practice of smoking is no longer a part of who I am.  I am better, healthier, wiser, and happier and I keep getting better.  There are up and downs in this quit smoking business.  Thank God my ups were/are greater than my downs and I am free because I know deep down inside of me that I gave it my all and I will continue to protect my quit.  At 546 days I don’t have to work as hard.   Will you give it your all?  

 Amen

16 Comments
About the Author
Lay aside every weight that may be slowing you down. Make up your mind not to allow doubt cause you to stumble. You can do this! Do not allow fear , False Expectations Appearing Real to hold you down. You can do this! Break the chains of addiction, forgive yourself for ever smoking. move forward and start loving yourself more each day by staying smokefree. Put aside worry, anxiety, depression, any EXcuse that you would use to not get in or stay in the race of freedom. Take one day at a time, one step if necessary. Run the race diligently, steady and sure with endurance. Believe that you can. Keep your eye on the prize. Hang tough, stay close, be mindful, never give in, never give up.