I'm past the three month mark now for giving up and it's been easy. Every time in the past I gave up, it was difficult (hence I failed). I know it's a cliche, but you've got to want to give up. This time I really did want it. There were moments when I came so close to going to the shop to buy cigarettes because the cravings were mad but, after three months, I don't have cravings any more.
In the past I always went for some kind of gimmick like patches or replacing cigarettes with lemonade or something. This time I cut down slowly (the most difficult day was going from one cigarette a day to none). Because I did it so slowly there wasn't the shock of going from smoker to non-smoker overnight. Although there have been times I could have wavered, giving up has been one of the most positive experiences of my life and has given me massive confidence in my will power and my ability to do what I set my mind to. It's made me feel very strong.
Of the times I have given up before, the first few days were sometimes easy (not usually, but sometimes). But then the pangs hit. If you want my advice, you're not out of the woods. You are going to be tested and tested pretty damned rigorously. After six weeks, it'll still be as bad as the worst of it and you may be suffering from withdrawal symptoms like a constant cold, or a phlegmy throat or a persistent cough. This has been the killer time for me, the time I went for a cigarette to make it all go away. I was tempted this time too but I'd been told that I'd done six weeks and if I did the same again, everything would be better. Just by repeating what I'd already proved I could do, I'd have the best chance of getting past it for good. I did repeat those six weeks and I really do feel different now. Cigarettes have no grip on me. I didn't replace them with anything, I didn't put weight on, I don't need something in my hand. I became a genuine non-smoker (as opposed to a smoker in abatement). I don't think about cigarettes at all (not even when I drink). It's a golden existence I wasn't sure I could ever achieve. I did and you can too. I can't tell you how good I feel (mentally) about giving up. If I'd have known it was this good, I'd have maybe not failed so many times in the past.
Trust me that there really is a pot of gold at the end of this rainbow and see it through. If you get to April Fools Day without a cigarette, you'll understand. :)
Is it normal that quitting cigarettes has been so easy?
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I'm past the three month mark now for giving up and it's been easy. Every time in the past I gave up, it was difficult (hence I failed). I know it's a cliche, but you've got to want to give up. This time I really did want it. There were moments when I came so close to going to the shop to buy cigarettes because the cravings were mad but, after three months, I don't have cravings any more.
In the past I always went for some kind of gimmick like patches or replacing cigarettes with lemonade or something. This time I cut down slowly (the most difficult day was going from one cigarette a day to none). Because I did it so slowly there wasn't the shock of going from smoker to non-smoker overnight. Although there have been times I could have wavered, giving up has been one of the most positive experiences of my life and has given me massive confidence in my will power and my ability to do what I set my mind to. It's made me feel very strong.
Of the times I have given up before, the first few days were sometimes easy (not usually, but sometimes). But then the pangs hit. If you want my advice, you're not out of the woods. You are going to be tested and tested pretty damned rigorously. After six weeks, it'll still be as bad as the worst of it and you may be suffering from withdrawal symptoms like a constant cold, or a phlegmy throat or a persistent cough. This has been the killer time for me, the time I went for a cigarette to make it all go away. I was tempted this time too but I'd been told that I'd done six weeks and if I did the same again, everything would be better. Just by repeating what I'd already proved I could do, I'd have the best chance of getting past it for good. I did repeat those six weeks and I really do feel different now. Cigarettes have no grip on me. I didn't replace them with anything, I didn't put weight on, I don't need something in my hand. I became a genuine non-smoker (as opposed to a smoker in abatement). I don't think about cigarettes at all (not even when I drink). It's a golden existence I wasn't sure I could ever achieve. I did and you can too. I can't tell you how good I feel (mentally) about giving up. If I'd have known it was this good, I'd have maybe not failed so many times in the past.
Trust me that there really is a pot of gold at the end of this rainbow and see it through. If you get to April Fools Day without a cigarette, you'll understand. :)
The very best of luck to you!