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I have the most entitled brat on the planet. 25 years old. 26 this year. Never even called me for Mother’s Day. Doesn’t pay me for the condo I had a deal with him to pay me monthly. So I had to go back to work full time because I couldn’t afford my early part timeness. He just called me to ask if he could borrow my tent and that he took my folding chair. I just lost it. I’m still losing it. How can he be so clueless? I’m working my ass off to survive an he’s out galavanting around trashing my shit. He broke my pressure washer. He broke our quad. He broke my compressor. I will not smoke. I will not smash him. I just want to smash him.

You are moving in the right direction, even if the path is not always linear or perfectly clear. There will be detours, slowdowns, and sometimes moments of uncertainty where you feel like you are standing still or even going backward. But all of this is a natural part of the process of change. Every step, even the most difficult ones, helps strengthen your resilience and deepen your understanding of your habits.

Even when the road feels unclear or unsteady, you are still moving forward and that truly matters. Every effort you make counts, even the ones that go unnoticed by others. You are building something meaningful, one step at a time, through each of your decisions.

Keep believing in yourself and in the efforts you’re making, even when they seem small or imperfect. It is precisely these small, repeated steps that create powerful transformations over time. Learn to recognize your progress, to give yourself patience, and to rise again with kindness when the journey becomes more demanding.

Step by step, day by day, you are getting closer to the person you aspire to be: freer, stronger, and aligned with your values. Every moment without tobacco is a victory; every craving you overcome is proof of your ability to change. A calmer, healthier, smoke-free life is taking shape in front of you, and it is worth every effort you invest today.

Keep going. Don’t give up, even when it’s hard, even when doubt creeps in or fatigue sets in. Every step you take, no matter how small, brings you closer to your goal. Moments of weakness do not define your journey; it is your ability to get back up and keep going that makes all the difference.

You have already shown courage by choosing to move forward. Hold on to that strength within you. Remember why you started, and let that reason guide you, even on the more difficult days.

You will get there. Maybe not perfectly, maybe not without obstacles, but with perseverance and kindness toward yourself. Keep moving forward, one moment at a time - you are closer than you think.

One Step at a Time: Creating Your Quit Plan

Quitting smoking is not only about stopping cigarettes or vaping. It's about creating a plan that supports you through the difficult moments. Many people try to quit using only motivation, but motivation naturally goes up and down. A quit plan gives you something steady to rely on when cravings, stress, or doubt show up.

A good quit plan starts with understanding your habits. Ans yourself: When do I smoke the most? What emotions trigger me? What situations make quitting harder? For some people it's mornings with coffee, for others it's stress, boredom, driving, or social situations. The more honest you are about your patterns, the more prepared you can be for them. 

It also helps to think ahead of reacting in the moment. If you know evenings are difficult, plan something supportive during that time. If mornings trigger cravings, change your routine slightly. Even small adjustments, drinking water first, taking a short walk, delaying the first cigarette, chewing gum, or staying busy can begin to break the automatic cycle.

Another important part of a quit is support. You do not have to do this alone. Support can come from forums, coaching, nicotine replacement, friends, family, or simply reading the experiences of others who understand what you're going through. Sometimes just knowing someone else has felt the same way can make a difficult moment feel less isolating. 

Your quit plan should also include patience and flexibility. Some days will feel easier than others. Some moments may catch you off guard. That does not mean your plan failed, it means you are learning. Adjust as needed and keep going. The goal is not perfection. The goal is continuing. 

Most importantly, remember your reason for quitting. Health, freedom, finances, family, peace of mind, reconnect with that reason often. On difficult days, your "why" can help carry you through when motivation feels low. 

A quit plan is not about controlling every moment. It's about giving yourself support, structure, and direction while you build a new life without nicotine. And one step at a time, that plan becomes your progress.

I had a dream about smoking last night, but it was actually kind of funny.
I found out that everyone around me (all nonsmokers) had been smoking on the sly ever since I quit. I was mad because they all had been "good job!" to me, but then I found out that THEY were smoking.
All people who in real life are totally anti-smoking.
And sure I think about smoking. I want that taste, especially the exhale, & the sitting/relaxing.
But I don't want the stink, the expense or more importantly the health risks.
Keep on NOPE one day at a time. :)

Hi everyone. I have set a quit date. Mind you I have quit many times for my children when pregnant, became a personal trainer etc. I have smoked since I was 13. How could I not. My dad smoked and it was around me my entire childhood. Boxed in the house or car. I am now 56 and it is literally killing me. Its crazy as I am personal trainer for the last 13 years, recently retired and have always been an athlete. However, I gained 50 lbs this last year. When I retired from personal training I took almost a year off to get my life in order with house and family. My life has changed drastically since covid honestly. It was a tough time being a personal trainer in person. Quitting smoking was difficult. But I did it and switched to vaping when I started again. I find I can quit vaping easier but still go back to it when I have stressful interactions. Which has been for the last 5 years. I know its my safety blanket and learn new things about my triggers everytime I relapse. I am starting a new job, my kids are older and I have lost almost 20 lbs since March. I got my nutrition, exercise habits in place so that it helps with this new habit of quitting vaping. New routines etc. I am very excited about this change that is needed in my life. . My time, health and money more than ever. I am grateful for this website to help. I am not in bc but saw bc helps pay for patches? Our province doesn't. That's crazy. I also wanted to express typically women who go through menopause or smoking for example as I have been through both. Research says 5 lbs is the typical adjustment for these life changes. However for both I gained a good 30lbs. I was tired from work and family obligations, felt like crap and grabbed the quickest easiest available foods. Vaping and food, especially chocolate have always been my safety blanket. It is the only thing I could control that was mine and mine only. Not my work colleagues, kids or husband. I also dont want to feel all the feelings. Anger, sadness, disappointment. But its time for me to just do it. Feel it, recognize it, name it and move on. That's my intention going forward. I will also congratulate myself silently and celebrate healthy of course. I am now looking forward to my quit date. More prepared. Even excited about it. I am thankful for this sight.

What are some ways of building resilience for Smoking Cessation?

-    Replace smoking with healthy habits, including physical activity, deep breathing, and creative outlets.
-    Recognize that smoking increases stress in the long run. Use, instead of smoking, positive coping strategies like short walks or finding humor.
-    Replace negative self-talk with positive affirmations and focus on the benefits of quitting, such as improved health and financial savings.
-    Connect with friends, family, or professional services to build a support system that can help you through challenging moments.

These little tips can go a long way, even if slowly implementing one a day to start making change! 

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.