I smoked for about 15 years. Then I got inspired to quit after hearing a few people tell me that they quit and how they did it. Some of them mentioned smoking aids like nicorette gum, the patch, etc. So I bought a box of nicorette gum. I looked at the clock saw it was 6pm and said I was gonna smoke my last cigarette and then after that I will chew the gum. After that last cigarette I chewed gum whenever I got the craving and I handled each craving at a time. I noticed that the cravings came less frequent as time went on and the intensity lessened as well. My first day of quitting I purposely chose to quit at night so that I would only have a few hours to deal with it before bed time. My first few days consisted of chewing gum whenever I craved a cigarette, sometimes I chewed 2 pieces. I tried to stay busy and also not anticipate smoking either. After about 3 days I felt that I had lots more control I really believed that I was on my way to quitting. After the 2nd day I threw my cigarettes and lighters away. I was reluctant to do that cause I thought "what if I need a cigarette"? But since I was determined to quit I felt like throwing the cigarettes away was a sign of good will and faith, and I also felt like it empowered me with the belief that I was sure I was gonna quit.
Seriously after a week I felt I was 100% free of the addiction. The only thing that remained was the mental addiction. I found myself walking downstairs for no reason sometimes and constantly drinking things or holding things in my hand because I didn't know what to do with myself. But after a few months that went away too. It has been over 3 years since my last smoke and I have no desire to ever start again. Sometimes around smokers or when anxious you get a tiny craving for a cigarette but it lasts like less than a second. You barely put any thought into it. I know how stupid it would be to start up again. Even if you think you can smoke just one cigarette and everything will be fine, that is not true. I have known people to start up again like that.
The one thing you should think about when quitting and staying smoke free afterwards is how much healthier you will be. Also how much more money you will have, for every cigarette you don't smoke those cigarette corporations lose money so this is a way to get them back. Also while being smoke free you don't smell, food taste better, you breathe better, no more coughing, and no more inconvenience. Most people don't like smoking in their cars and homes, and lots of public places do not like smoking either. So think of all these positive things and stay away from smokers as best you can for a few weeks if possible, and throw away all your lighters and cigarettes. You really can quit, all it takes is you wanting to.
