Dear Joel
I have made at least 10 SERIOUS attempts to quit smoking. I have never made it past 3-4 months. I actually seem to find it to become harder as time goes on. I have read almost every article in your library. I am very aware that it is all 100% psychological at this point.
I am part of a family of 7--all smokers. I have a close knit group of friends (5 of us who travel together and have lots of get togethers)who are all smokers. Smoking has been a huge part of my socializing. It has always been "come over for a cigarette and .......(fill in the blanks)...coffee..beer...serious conversation...crisis.= .I . could go on and on.
I am not even so sure what my question is. I keep wanting to wake up and have it be my one year quit anniversary. I find myself feeling somewhat depressed and lethargic. I guess it feels like I have had to give up something that has always been a part of ''THE GOOD TIMES, actually, it has been pretty much a part of everything. LOTS OF GOOD TIMES, LOTS OF CRISIS TIMES, LOTS OF QUALITY TIMES WITH FRIENDS AND MY FAMILY. (mainly my sisters...I am one of 5 girls.)
I have always loved smoking...but I hated the consequences. The thing that always pushes me to quit is when I start laughing, I start this awful cough. It is so disgusting and embarrassing. I don't want to look and smell like a smoker. Smoking seems so low class...but none of my friends are low class and they all look great and feel great, even though they smoke. Although, they are mainly social smokers....and I cannot be one of them. God knows I have tried. AND FAILED...OVER 10 TIMES.
Do YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE. I KNOW IT IS PROBABLY AS SIMPLE AS NEVER TAKE ANOTHER PUFF. BUT THAT ADVICE OVERWHELMS ME AND DEPRESSES ME.
THANKS FOR YOUR HELP.
THANKS FOR ALL OF YOUR WONDERFUL ARTICLES...THEY HAVE GOTTEN ME THROUGH THE LAST 38 DAYS....WITHOUT YOU AND THIS FREEDOM SITE....I PROBABLY WOULDN'T HAVE MADE IT THIS LONG.
THANKS FOR ALL YOU DO.
Kate
This sight has taught me one thing....my big mistake...10 times over...I cannot be a social smoker...or a weekend only smoker....or a just when I am traveling with my friends smoker...or just when I ....