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Into the final stretch now on getting to 7 months. This last month seemed to just fly by. Had a lovely relaxing weekend. We visited that bar I mentioned before that we hadn't been to in a long time. I'd left my vape at home but felt a bit on edge so went and picked up another disposable from the shop next door. I could easily have asked someone for a smoke but I didn't do it. Not worth it now this far into the voyage of this new me.

We had some lovely food and one cider each. It was lovely. Will defo be heading back again soon. So I'm not yet clear of the vape but I will get there. I'm off next Friday and Monday so maybe will try give it the push then. Then just the spray. I can go by a few days with nothing happening but then I can be struck by sudden strong urges to have just one... the amount of times its crossed my mind to buy an emergency pack... but I just roll it back to when Covid struck when I last relapsed... and I think to myself.. 'was giving in really worth it? it took you this long to try again and do I really wanna go back and repeat all the ugliness of trying to quit all over again?'. The answer is no. Despite the stress of the job, the odd tension at home, the ins and outs of life the good and the bad... would a smoke really be worth it and then all the disappointment and having to come on here resetting the counters? Hell no. Ill put up with the niggling feelings, cos thats all they are... feelings. I dont NEED to smoke anymore. And Ive seen that I dont come to any harm by not having one. Its just the old habit trying to make its way back into my life. I can see it right in front of me and I choose not to act on it.

I got a wisdom tooth pulled out a few days ago, and it’s been a difficult couple of days. Being idle all the time recovering from the tooth extraction makes the cravings so much worse. Of course, you can’t smoke after getting a wisdom tooth pulled or you risk dry socket, so that is enough to keep me from it. But the temptation is strong! I won’t give in, but it’s definitely a struggle, especially since I can’t chew gum so easily with a sore jaw, and that has been a main coping strategy since I quit.

Soldiering on!

Be the Expert "Advise Yourself Like You Would Advise Someone Else"

One of the most powerful mindset shifts in a quit journey is this: start treating yourself like someone you are responsible for guiding. Imagine a friend came to you saying, "I really want to quit, but I'm struggling with cravings, stress, and doubt." You would likely respond with patience, encouragement, and practical advice not criticism. Yet, when it comes to ourselves, we often forget to apply that same compassion. 

Being "the expert" means stepping outside of the emotional noise and looking at your situation with clarity. Instead of reacting to cravings or frustration, you pause and ask: "If someone I cared about was going through this, what would I tell them right now?" The answer is usually calmer, kinder, and more grounded than what we say to ourselves in the moment. This simple shift creates space between emotion and action and that space is where better choices are made. 

It also helps you build consistency. An expert doesn't panic every time there is a challenge, they understand patterns. They know cravings rise and fall. They know stress passes. They know setbacks are part of learning, not proof of failure. When you step into this mindset, you stop seeing yourself as someone "trying not to fail" and start seeing yourself as someone actively learning and leading your own change. 

This doesn't mean ignoring difficulty, it means responding to it with wisdom instead of frustration. If a craving hits, the expert mindset says: "this is temporary. I've seen this before. I know what helps me get through it." If a tough day happens, it says: "This doesn't erase my progress. I continue tomorrow."

The truth is, you already have the knowledge. You already know what helps and what doesn't. The challenge is remembering to use it on yourself. So the next time it gets hard, step back and ask: What would I tell someone I care about right now? Then follow that advice, for yourself. That is how you become your own strongest support. 

UGH

I want a cigarette so badly :(

Today I went to Ikea & as I walked in I saw a sign "thank you for not smoking". I was all :) YES thank YOU (me) for not smoking! yay me!

Now later in the day in this far of my quit I'm like damn I'd like a smoke right now. Have been feeling that these past few days actually. That smoke would be SO nice.. seeing others smoking & lingering for awhile to sniff in the smoke smell.

And here I am.. after all this time I STILL crave a cigarette :( I crave the ritual of it & sitting & relaxing having a nice smoke..

Still have not faltered but damn. These thoughts still linger..

As the weekend approaches, remember to take a step back, breathe, and nurture your mind, body, and soul. Give yourself this moment to take a break, release accumulated tension, and reconnect with what's important to you. It's the perfect moment to pause, recharge, and find the inner harmony that will guide you forward with renewed clarity and calmness. 

Remember that you possess the inner strength and resilience to overcome any obstacle and achieve your dreams. Even on tough days, your dedication and perseverance will carry you through. Every small accomplishment, every effort, no matter how insignificant it may seem, is a step closer to the life you envision. You're on the right path, and the progress you're making, no matter how gradual, is building a strong foundation for a brighter future. 

Keep pushing forward with patience, persistence, and confidence. There's no need to put undue pressure on yourself - just take it one step at a time. Progress might not always be immediately visible, but it's happening. You don't have to do everything at once; it's the consistent, small actions that ultimately lead to significant transformations. 

As time passes, you'll look back and see just how far you've come. Your journey will make sense, and you'll realize that even the toughest moments have contributed to your growth. Continue to trust yourself and your abilities; you're creating something of value, and you're closer to your goals than you think. Before you know it, you'll have made tremendous progress, and you'll be proud of yourself for staying committed. Keep believing in yourself, keep moving forward - the journey is worth it, and the reward is waiting for you. 

Slapped on a patch this morning cos I was feeling a bit on edge again. Easing up on the vape but the thoughts of smoking are back. Not as bad as before but I'd love to spark one up and relax; even though I know thats not the truth.. I was walking into work and saw a half smoked cigarette still lighting on the ground by a bus stop. For about 2 seconds the thought of pick it up and have a drag struck me... but I kept walking.

How disgusting is that... even the thought of picking one up off the street. I have done that in the past as a smoker when I was desperate for one and didn't have the cash to buy a pack. The lows of being an addict.

I'm glad I kept walking. Cash is tight this month so there wont be any more splurging on rewards. Pay day is three weeks away. I think that was a test today and luckily I pulled through it. But asking now when is this going to let up? I feel in limbo... no longer a smoker but still pining for one. Have to just keep going and not give in now. Almost at 7 months.

Still going!!

What Greg D said in a reply to my last post really stuck with me. That quitting nicotine showed him he had control over his choices. I’ve been thinking about that every day, and noticing new ways that I can make the wiser choice and strengthen my "making the less easy but better choice" muscle.
Things like choosing to just go to bed instead of eating a bunch of ice cream or something. I’m learning that sometimes you can have an urge to do something, and just do nothing instead. And as you keep doing that over and over, you learn to be content with doing nothing. Choosing not to get that momentary satisfaction, and being at peace with that choice.
Need to keep that idea present in my mind as I continue to say noooo to nicotine, one day after another.

I've decided I'm going to ditch the vape very soon. I forgot it this morning at home coming to work and got a disposable from the shop. Im not really getting anything from it anymore and prefer to use the spray. I'm aiming to drop it for my birthday next week. I still use it first thing in the morning and on the smoking breaks with my colleague... so this will be a challenge as well but I know I can do it. I feel I'm done with cigarettes so this is just the next step up now to rid myself of nicotine. Expecting to be a bit cranky as I've read up on it on here and see posts from other vapers on here.

I can do this. Will use the oil I have left in it and then not buy anymore.

Plan Your Days, Protect Your Progress...

One of the most underrated tools in a quit journey is planning your day ahead. Not in a rigid, overwhelming way, but in a simple, intentional way that gives your day structure. When your time is unplanned, old habits tend to fill the gaps. But when you create even a loose plan, you take back control of your time and your choices. 

Nicotine habits are often tied to specific moments such as: morning coffee, work breaks, stress. Planning helps you get ahead of those moments instead of being surprised by them. For example, if you know mornings are difficult, decide in advance what you'll do instead, or start your day with a different activity. These small adjustments can make a big difference. 

Here's another example: if evenings are a trigger, especially after dinner when you used to smoke or vape, plan that time ahead. You could go for a short walk, call a friend, watch a specific show, or even keep your hands busy with something like organizing, journaling, or chewing gum. By deciding this before the craving hits, you remove the pressure of figuring it out in the moment. 

Planning also reduces decision fatigue. When you already know what your next step is, you're less likely to fall into automatic behaviors. It doesn't have to be detailed, just a few key anchors in your day: what time you wake up, what you'll do during breaks, how you'll unwind in the evening. This creates a sense of stability, especially during a time of change. 

It's also helpful to include support strategies in your plan. Think about where cravings might show up and decide ahead of time how you'll respond. Will you go for a walk? Drink tea? Text someone? Delay the urge? Having these options ready makes it easier to act with intention instead of reacting on impulse. 

At the same time, leave room for flexibility. Life won't always go according to plan, and that's okay. The goal isn't perfection, it's direction. Even if your day shifts, you can always return to your intention and make the next best choice.

Planning your day is not about control, it's about support. It's a way of showing up for yourself before the challenges even begin. And over time, those planned moments turn into new habits that carry you forward with more ease and confidence. 

1st wienie roast of the year. I bought a huge bottle of water and a pack of cinnamon gum. Everyone there smoked. People bragging about smoking while their partner is home from camp and how they can give it up when partner heads back to camp. I said good for you. I can’t ever have another cigarette ever. Most of the evening was good. Until I ate. Until everyone sat back and relaxed. I could see no good could come of this. I had said yes to the glass of wine. I never drank one so fast. There were donuts. So I got a fork and stabbed one on there and ate it because the gum wasn’t going to cut it. I was panicking. I cleared the dishes and ducked out of there. Most of the evening was good. Seeing packs of cigarettes everywhere was hard. Like a nightmare. Like one of my nightmares. I could have ate them.