treepeo
832 posts
Registered:
29 Nov 2017
29 Mar 2018
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Hi Keogh58,
Try not to be discouraged. We all try and try again until we finally get it right. It's a process, and there is no right or wrong way to do it. Use this as another learning experience. What were you thinking about when you decided to light up again? How were you feeling? Were you having a bad physical craving, or were you having a "want"? Either one is hard to take.
Maybe in the past you couldn't make it past 6 weeks. But why not change your internal dialogue now? Why not tell yourself that this time, you are going to do it for good?
I remember that after about 6 weeks, I was tempted to smoke again. I missed my old way of doing things, I missed my comfort level. I know I am a creature of habit, and change is hard for me. I asked myself if I was really committed to making this change. Well, I thought about it really long and hard. And then I realized, I made this change for so many, very important reasons. And the fact that I had made it that far was nothing short of a miracle. And I never wanted to go through the hell of that kind of withdrawal again. So I mentally committed to staying smoke free once again. That is, I actually said in my head, "I choose not to smoke, and I am going to truly become a non-smoker." And that is what I did.
So that is what I mean when I say that maybe you should change your internal dialogue. Read your list of reasons why you want to quit smoking often. And know that you are strong enough to do this for good. Tell yourself that you will not put yourself through the pain of withdrawal again. This will be it, and you will be successful. You already know that you can beat the cravings, because you have made it through 6 weeks. Have faith that you can keep it going. And remember, Keogh58, that we are all here for you. Lean on us, we will do our best to help you through. And if you need more support, call the helpline. I have great faith in all of the quit smoking coaches here. As you know, they are former smokers and so can really relate to all of us. And their sincerity shines through every time they respond to someone reaching out.
We can all reach our goal of living smoke free, and that includes you. Believe in yourself, keogh58. You can do this!