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Believing in Yourself Is the Key...

Quitting smoking or vaping isn't just a physical process, it's a belief shift. Long before the habit fully stops, something deeper has to change: your belief in yourself. 

If you don't believe you can do this, every craving feels bigger. Every slip feels final. Every hard day feels like proof you should give up. But when you start believing, even a little, everything changes. 

Belief doesn't mean confidence every day. It  means choosing to keep going even when confidence is low. 

Borrow Belief If You Need To

Some days you won't believe in yourself and that's okay. On those days:

• Borrow belief from someone who supports you 
• Lean on this community
• Trust the process when you can't trust your feelings

Belief can be shared until it becomes your own again. 

Belief Shapes Your Choices

When you believe in yourself: 

• A craving becomes a challenge, not a command
• A slip becomes a lesson, not a verdict
• A hard day becomes survival, not unbearable

Belief creates space between the urge and the action.

Evidence Is Already There

Look back: 

• You've resisted urges before
• You've gotten through hard days 
• You're still trying

• That is proof. Not hope. Proof. 

  Belief Grows Through Action

  You don't wait to believe before you act. You act, and belief grows because of it. Every time you choose not to smoke or vape, you're telling yourself: 

• "I can handle discomfort."
• "I can choose differently."
• "I am stronger than this urge."

Final Thought

Believing in yourself doesn't mean the journey is easy. It means you stop quitting on yourself when it gets hard. 

Even on days when belief is quiet, keep going. Because every step you take is building the proof that you were right to believe in yourself all along. 

Man! Another hard emotional day. WTF!! I have a 25 year old. He’s quit his job because he’s too tired for school. There’s way more to it than that. It looks like a pathetic reason to get upset when I look at it here. I went for another drive in the pissing rain. Bought some paints for my projects back home. Bought some good food to cook for my dad and I. It seems my kid only does crazy shit when I’m 1000 miles away. Anyway… I did not smoke.

Today was my most amazing day smoke free so far. I asked my brother about what the doctor said about my dad’s feet. Well I guess my brother feels like he’s spread pretty thin because he just went off. Well then I just wanted to punch him in the face. I left instead and drove all over. I hit the dairy Queen and ordered the biggest and sweetest sundae with brownies and hot fudge sauce and I ate the whole thing. I was pretty angry. Lack of communication in this family has always been an issue. Smoking makes life smoother. Or maybe we just look cool a bunch of Italians yelling at eachother with complete disregard for proving a point puffing away. I did not smoke. Everyday seems like I’m getting closer to caving but stronger at refusing to fail.

Wow! 22 days! My dad said he sure would like me to wheel him outside for a puff. I asked him if he could not try to be supportive. Just because I didn’t know what else to say. In hindsight I should have told him to pretend he just had one. We haven’t smoked the same amount of time. He’s gone a little longer being that he’s been in the hospital. I’m kind of proud of myself that I’ve been able to pull it off thus far. It seems that anger or agitation are my biggest triggers and then comes hanging with a smoker. I want to be close to my dad so this is my biggest test. I don’t want one and I crave very little. I guess that’s a plus of cold turkeying. I was afraid to go out with my dad though. He said his smokes are right in that left front pocket. I said I don’t care but I’m sweating a little just writing this now. Just because I don’t trust myself. And I don’t want o f this up.

Being in recovery for smoking or drinking is a gift an awareness and an awakening sometimes spiritual ✨️ 🙌 it's something that I am grateful for and Bali is a great place to experience that and an opportunity for a new beginning. Remember Eat Pray Love

Also the support you get when you reach out and quit is a gift that brings me much gratitude to be a non smoker or drinker in recovery.

Not many people get support for the stresses in their life that cause them to smoke or drink even those who dont have a problem with it. Although there is no healthy amount of alcohol or cigarettes. Getting support for the stresses in life that cause these behaviors help us function better and having connection with others helps beat addiction.

We can think more clearly about our problems and share the load we carry with others while learning other ways and strategies we learn from others to deal with stress.

Water is great so is Jasmine with green tea so are mints. I'm also now enjoying coffees without smokes and non beers.

Having a support system is something to cherish we don't feel we are burdened and alone it's a gift of recovery and I am thankful and grateful to be here and to get the support from everyone.

I hope to share some encouraging words to help others in recovery.

A relapse although not the end of the world brings self regret and disapointment. While abstinence helps me feel good about myself.

I just got a manicure done and my fingers and nails are not stained yellow anymore. My smokers cough is gone, my breath is fresher, my skin is healthier, my oral health is much better and teeth that were getting stained are looking better.
There's also a mental change of feeling more in control, taking the power back, feeling good about myself, feeling confident and a better self esteem.

Through support I've learnt ot of things especially N.O.P.E. nd also I've learned about the nico demon 😈 and doing nice things for myself on the nico demons dime is a cool way to frase reward yourself for the effort with the money I save. I save so much money not drinking or smoking.

I wouldn't dare smoke anything else in Bali as its very illegal here with extremely harsh punishments and the jails in Bali are not very nice nevertheless I quit in July 2026 and am grateful for that too.

Im grateful for all the experiences I have had and grateful for the new experience of not using. I don't regret the past nor wish to close the door on it I have learned from it. What I've learned and the support I get makes me grateful and keeps me smober.

This vacation marks a new beginning and fresh start.

Thank you for the gift of support ,stresses don't seem so big Im and unmanagable Im not alone in this journey, I can stay healthy and manage stress. There are lots of rewards that come from recovery and its addictive to further keep working on my self for optimum health.

Doing great on my vacation I remember the no smoking sign on airplanes would bother me so much when I smoked it was a constant reminder that I couldn't smoke and it would beep amd flash everyonce in a while when the seat belt sign would come on and remind me even more that I couldn't smoke. Being one month smoke free and as a non smoker I look at that sign and realize I've taken the power back and that I can now laugh and remember how much that no smoking sign on planes used to bother me. Smoking was a constant reminder of not being in control powerless of a substance and at the whim of non smoking areas and now I feel more in control not at the mercy of a substance and free to go into non smoking areas with out suffering. The freedom I've gained. Also not being a drinker I've been enjoying jasmine tea and water as my main drinks which make me feel healthy and healthier still by not smoking. Its nice to feel healthy on vacation and not ruining myself. I wake up feeling great and ready for the day and my day is not controlled by smoke breaks. So far so good not missing smoking even though its cheap here and easily available and you can smoke anywhere and people do. Most look young and healthy too but that's the lie they will age faster and get a smokers cough bad breath and yellow fingers and nails. My yellow hands have made a full recovery same with my smokers cough and the skin is healthier too same with my breath plus its so much cheaper and Im not tied or controlled by a habit I don't get cravings and have nico mints for when I do which are becoming further apart. Grateful to be a non smoker and my family doesn't smoke and some have quit so Im glad Im not a reminder or bad influence or even the only smoker. I can lead by a good example and feel good about my accomplishments of quitting smoking.

3 Months 21 Days.
Down to my last 2 boxes of patches now as the 4 month milestone rises on the horizon. I am definitely sleeping better now and I feel I have more energy. I don't stink like an ashtray anymore and am noticing the smell off people if they come near. Yesterday was in a small office on a call and my work colleague who smokes was with me. The stench off his breath... it was horrible. I definitely don't want to smoke again but I have my spray close at hand. I have my probation hearing coming up soon for this job.. not really sure how it will go or how confident I am. Just want that out of the way. My partner and I are thinking of moving abroad to Spain. I have next Monday and Tuesday off.. blood tests on Monday and a relaxing day Tuesday.

I'm still getting cravings and I expect I will continue to do so for a while but I'm able to get through them. Time and Patience is what's needed.

What Simba Can Teach Us About Quitting Smoking and Vaping!

Think about Simba. At the start of "The Lion King," he's unsure of himself, carrying guilt, fear, and the belief that he can't face his past. He runs away, distracts himself, and tries not to feel the hard stuff. But deep down, he knows who he is meant to be, even if he doesn't feel ready yet. 

Quitting smoking or vaping can feel a lot like Simba's journey. 

Running Away Feels Easier... at First

Simba avoids returning home because facing reality feels overwhelming. 

Quitting lesson: Nicotine often becomes a way to escape stress, pain, or uncomfortable emotions. It feels easier in the moment but it keeps you stuck. Avoidance brings temporary relief, not freedom. 

The Past Doesn't Define the Future

Simba believes his past mistakes disqualify him from moving forward. 

Quitting lesson: Past relapses do not define you. They don't cancel your ability to quit. What matters is what you choose now, not what happened before. 

Growth Requires Facing  Discomfort

Simba's turning point comes when he faces what he's been avoiding. 

Quitting lesson: Cravings, emotions, and stress  may rise when you quit, not because something is wrong. but because healing is happening. Facing discomfort is part of reclaiming control. 

You Don't Have to Do It Alone

Simba doesn't return on his own, he's reminded of who he is by those who care about him.

Quitting lesson: Support matters. Coaches, forums, friends, and encouragement can help you remember your strength when you forget it yourself. 

Stepping Into Who You Are Becoming

When Simba returns, he's not fearless, he's courageous despite fear. 

Quitting lesson: You don't need to feel confident to quit. You just need to keep showing up. Confidence grows from action, not other way around. 

Final Thought...

Like Simba, your journey isn't about being perfect, it's about remembering who you are and choosing to move forward anyway. 

• You are not weak for struggling. 
• You are strong for continuing to try. 

Take your place. One choice at a time.