I'm going to give quitting a go (again!)

[Jayne35]

So, I have quit smoking 3 times since June 2014 and lasted 26 months, 12 months and 7 months. Started smoking again all three times due to stressful situations - which I KNOW is just an excuse. I started smoking at 13 years old and I am now pushing 50.

My initial reason for quitting was circulation issues, mainly in my toes and now by big toe is always a bit numb (like pins and needles) and has been for about 3 months. Also, I have a thickened toenail and what looks like a bruise on it, though I haven't injured my toe in any way.

My previous quits were cold turkey. I have a vape this time but it's too strong and I don't want to faff about with coils etc so looking to buy disposable ones. I had one of those fake cigs before with no nicotine which I only used in the first few weeks, and only when I was out drinking.

Today was the day marked to start my quit, I had a tiny amount of tobacco left so I have been smoking today but I'm now down to enough for one more so this is it. I'm at the stage where I keep thinking 'I'll just buy a pack for the weekend, then give it away and stop on Monday' - I always talk myself out of quitting this way, I know some books refer to that voice in your head as a gremlin.

Anyway, I posted here, and I have an app on my phone as I know that forums and support always help. Wish me luck.

Good luck!
I found it helpful in stressful situations to think ahead to how I would feel after a cigarette, that it wouldn't change whatever was causing me discomfort but I'd be a smoker again, back where I started. Handling those feelings was the key to stop me backsliding.
And plan nice things for yourself, be really good to yourself, you're doing something hard 💐💐💐

Good luck!
To be honest giving up for over 2 years and then another year is pretty flipping anazing. Shows you can do it.
I think ditch the vape and other things that remind you of smoking. Their reminders you a smoker

If you get stressed and pick up the fags and smoke then do it for the one night and give them away in the morning. I think they say alcohol does the most damage when you binge and cigarettes when you have them regularly.
You can definitely do this.

You can do it @Jayne35! Seriously! It isn't easy but if you really, desperately want to quit, it's half the battle. Good luck! 🙂

As part of my stop smoking journey, I’d given up a couple of times for over a year and then started again. I think the issue was, after not smoking for an extended
period of time, I thought I’d cracked it and quit for good. And so I stopped trying to stop, if that makes sense? And bang, I was back on 20-30 a day.

Now, I haven’t smoked for just over ten years. But I always tell myself that I’m still giving up smoking, not that I’ve given up. So for me it’s a mindset thing- maybe something you want to consider?

Never quit quitting, one will eventually stick. I quit in 2004 for good, prior to this I quit every Monday morning but started just having one by the evening.

Hardest thing I have ever done but also one of the best. Good luck on your journey.

I haven’t smoked since starting this thread. Initially I was vaping daily then I just got fed up with that and pretty much stopped. I still make sure I have a vape available, particularly if I’m drinking and I occasionally use it but not often now. Thanks for the encouraging posts.

I was fed up of smoking but really can’t justify £20 every few weeks on rollies . I stopped after the last of my summer holiday fags ran out.
I have broken the habit (can ignore the idea one might be nice) but still intent to smoke on holiday. I’m hoping that just smoking for a couple of weeks every year doesn’t count.
Its so freeing not needing to have a cigarette. Also it really makes your skin look rubbish especially in your 50’s. I certainly don’t have the money for fags AND Botox.

Sorry…meant to add a well done! It will pay off as you know from your cigarette free years.Remember you’re a non smoker that’s lapsed.

Wow! Well done @Jayne35 !! 👏