Community Forum

So I've been logging on repeatedly all day just to see the "2 months quit" on my profile.
Because all day I have wanted a cigarette SO badly. I am trying to remind myself of how far I have come & not to throw it away.
But.. damn.. I want that cigarette.
My mouth spray I think is just about done. I might get another one as the gum & lozenges just don't do it for me.
Plus I am 1 week off the patches. I don't really want to get more since my skin is still recovering. So maybe more mouth spray just to get me through the rough times.
Thank you to everyone here. I read every post & am inspired.
Nicotine is so powerful I want to overcome it.

I like reading the post's on here they are very inspirational. I keep trying to quit and I keep going back to smoking like in a circle. I read some where on here NOPE not one puff ever I try to think of this when I am quitting. I seem fine when I have the patch on and some hard candies, but certain situations come up and I must deal with it differently than lighting up again. My coach calls me weekly and she is very helpful and a good motivation for me to keep trying.

Keep a Positive Mindset / Don't Give Up!

No matter where you are in your quit journey, remember this: your mindset is your greatest power. Challenges will come, cravings may rise, and doubts might whisper, but how you choose to think in those moments makes all the difference. A positive mindset doesn't mean pretending everything is easy; it means believing in your ability to get through even the hardest days. 

Every time you choose not to give up, you strengthen that belief. Each small victory builds momentum, and before you know it, those tough moments start to feel lighter. Remind yourself why you started, for your health, your freedom, your peace of mind and let that "why" carry you forward. 

You've already proven that you're capable of change. Keep your head up, stay focused, and speak kindly to yourself. Progress takes times, but it's happening! One mindful, powerful choice at a time. 

Hi! I have been smoking cigarettes for about 60 years. (I'm 77 now.) When my daughter passed away many years ago, I had quit for three weeks. In the immediate aftermath of my child's passing, my best friend came to me with a carton of cigarettes, so I ended up taking up the habit again. I really don't want to quit because I enjoy smoking. Someone once said to me in jest, "There are three vices: smoking, drinking and sex. You don't drink and you don't have sex (I was divorced at the time). Everyone's gotta have at least ONE vice!". LOL Anyway, I'm going to a non-smoker's house over Christmas, and my coughing is getting quite bad every morning. My sister calls the coughing my "Hackin' Jacks" (haha). I am on two inhalers: one for once daily use, and the other as a rescue inhaler. The use of the rescue inhaler is becoming more frequent. I can't seem to set a quit date! Help!!!

 Staying Smoke-Free Through Halloween Fun! 

Halloween can bring out old habits : parties, stress, excitement, and even just being around people who smoke can be tempting. But remember: you’ve come too far to let one night haunt your progress! 

Here are a few ways to keep your quit strong during the spooky celebrations:
Plan ahead: Bring a drink, snack, or gum to keep your hands and mouth busy.
Take smoke-free breaks: Step outside for fresh air, not a smoke.
Treat yourself: Have your favorite Halloween candy instead of a cigarette, it’s called trick or treat for a reason!
Avoid your triggers: If you know certain people or situations make you crave, have an exit plan ready.
Remember your “why”: You’re not giving something up, you’re gaining freedom, health, and control.

You’ve already faced tougher moments and won. This weekend you can enjoy the fun without lighting up.
Happy Smoke-Free Halloween!

Hello everyone.
So yesterday I started in on not having patches. I had 4 weeks of #1's, 2 weeks of #2's & 2 weeks of #3's. Now I don't have patches.
I feel like I'm riding a bike without training wheels. The patches were doing havoc on my sensitive skin--I have bright red patch-shaped marks on both arms & all over my back, but they were my "insurance" to make sure I don't smoke.
Without them I feel a bit lost. I can always get another box of #3's, but would prefer not to.
I need to rely on myself completely now. I can do this--I tell myself over & over.
But without the training wheels it is a bit scary.
So just a "vent" post to say I'm scared, but I'm determined to continue :)

HI, its almost a week now. Its been very hard. Especially first 4 days. I do not use any products. They never helped me in the past. This time is different, instead of "trying not to think about smoking", I am thinking of it, thinking of how bad it was. Instead of saying " I want one, but I will not smoke", I am saying " I do not want one. I want to quit - so I do not want to smoke! My addiction wants me to smoke, but not me! " Every time craving comes, I am playing it in my head till the end, remembering all my past relapses, and how it felt to relapse. Good luck to everybody! You are heroes, so am I!

When you commit to a smoke-free life, it’s natural to focus on the big goal: that day when cigarettes no longer have any hold over you. Yet, that victory isn’t achieved in one single leap; it’s built gradually, through a series of small, intentional actions and conscious decisions. Every choice you make matters far more than you might realize. 

Each cigarette you don’t smoke is a victory. Each craving you face and overcome without giving in is proof of your growing strength and determination. Every time you pause, take a deep breath, go for a walk, or find another way to calm yourself instead of lighting up, you are retraining your mind to respond differently. These small successes, one after another, become the solid foundation of your lasting freedom. 

Quitting smoking isn’t just one big decision: it’s a series of small choices made day after day, sometimes minute by minute. It’s choosing to drink a glass of water when you feel the hand-to-mouth urge, choosing to take a walk when tension rises, or choosing to talk to someone or write down your feelings instead of smoking. Each of these choices is a quiet yet powerful act of courage. 

When you focus only on the finish line, it’s easy to miss how far you’ve already come. But when you take the time to notice and celebrate your small victories, your perspective begins to change. You realize that this journey isn’t about deprivation; it’s about transformation: a process of growth, resilience, and rediscovery of yourself. 

So today, give yourself credit for the effort you’ve put in. Take a moment to note the moments you’re proud of, even the smallest ones: having your morning coffee without smoking, resisting a craving after a meal, or simply taking a deep breath until the urge passed. Each of these moments is proof of your progress. 

By acknowledging your achievements, you train your mind to see this journey not as a constant struggle, but as an ongoing victory. That positive mindset then becomes the driving force behind your long-term success. Over time, these daily victories will become second nature, and one day, you’ll realize that the person who used to smoke no longer feels like you at all. 

Remember: it’s the small victories that create big change. Keep choosing health, keep choosing freedom, and trust the process. Every action, no matter how small, is already shaping the stronger, calmer, and freer version of yourself. 

You are accomplishing something truly remarkable. Every day of commitment brings you closer to the life you deserve: a life of peace, pride, and genuine freedom.

Today is 5 years and I would have never believed that I could make this milestone. I could not have achieved it without the support of my QuitNow fellow quitters and coaches, and family at home, so thank you for your patience with my daily struggles posts and for just being here for me. For those just beginning your journey, please don’t give up on yourselves no matter how many times you have tried! One of these times will stick 🤗

5 Years Smoke free!
$24,654 money saved!
36,524 cigarettes not smoked!