SomeChickOnTheInternet

Tar, This may be long.....For the past few days I have been telling myself I was just going to wake up and not smoke. After today being my 3rd attempt, I asked Google if taper quitting works, and I found the link to this thread. I read through the entire thing, and then created an account just so that I can tell you what an inspiration you are. All of you, really. I have attempted to quit smoking about 5 times. My first and longest quit was for two weeks in 2012. With the help of a book, I quit cold turkey, and I loved it. I was living in a house with 3 other smokers, and I still did it. Then, my sister literally started throwing cigarettes at me, and that was that. The second longest I quit was for 5 days, again cold turkey. To this day, I can still remember cooking an amazing meal with my husband, and afterward he said he was going to go smoke, and I happily said I didn't have to anymore. Part of the reason that quit didn't work is because in my previous research, it was suggested that you leave cigarettes somewhere, basically to "trick" your brain into having an out. Obviously that doesn't work. Smoking is strongly tied to coffee for me, so the first time I quit, I stopped drinking it. A few days later, there was no longer a trigger, but I discovered I actually hate the taste of coffee. The other day, I started a pot of coffee, and it went out the window (the quit). This morning I did ok, then made a pot of coffee. So now I know I'll have to give it up again, but not a big deal. And I have been researching for days about where else I went wrong in my quits, and I think I finally figured it out. I go to Google, trying to figure out the best way to stay quit. I find those neat little counters that tell you how long it's been, and the money you've saved.....Before I know it I'm smoking again, because I've been doing nothing but obsessing over NOT smoking. "Ugh, it's going to take forever to get to 7,000 not smoked. My breathing isn't that much better.....". So guess what this thread has taught me? Smoking is NOT an option. I've read it other places a thousand times, but I actually "get" it now. And I also need to stay away from self help on the internet. At least for a little while, because all it does is remind me that I'm craving. All day. So, I'm trying the tapering today, though I already know I can live without it, but the hardest part for me are the first few hours of the quit, so waiting as long as possible in the morning will eventually turn into I-haven't-smoked-all-day. And then I will board the door up Congratulations on your year .