How I did it:

One day I just decided "enough is enough" and I stopped. I don't know if cold turkey is best for everyone, but it has worked for me so far.

Not that I don't crave a cigarette. Things will get stressful or I remember how pleasant a smoke after a good meal would feel. But there was also the stale smoke smell in my clothes, the coughing, and even the price.

I just figure that it's not worth starting up again... I've had to stop smoking before (when I was in the hospital) and I recall that first cigarette after was pretty nasty.

Lessons & tips:

Just make up your mind and stick with it. Do something else with your hands.. chew gum....
Don't dwell on it.

After a week or so, it gets easier. The first days were the toughest for me, and though even now I'll want a cigarette with my coffee, it's just a small urge, not an overpowering desire.

Resources:

Actually, this site probably helped me more than anything else. I'd set up a reminder email once a week for this goal. It got pretty annoying. I would finish a goal, post about it, and see that list with #1. stop smoking permanently on it and put it off once again.

It took me about 2 years to finally stop, but when I made the decision, I stuck to it. And I really hope that I can KEEP sticking to it.

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Sep 22, 2008, 05:33AM PDT | 2 comments | 5 cheers