...start by saying "I can" because when you are really ready one try, two, three, whatever or however many, you are really ready and the truth is you can, like the law of attraction, if you keep confirming "I can't " then you won't, my friend. Start believing that you can and when you really believe it,and want it enough to really believe you will know deep in your heart "I can." Meanwhile cruise on whyquit.com, come here alot, we are a whole lot of nicotine addicts at different phases of our quits, some with no time and just a quit date if that, others with days , weeks months and years, but all with the common thread of the damn nicodemon. Stick with it and remember "I can!"

Look at the strength that you use everyday in your life. I read your profile. Life is challenging for you in many ways, but you seem to have the strength to handle those challenges. You most definately are strong enough to "do this". I know how you feel. Stress is a trigger that makes quitting very hard. I've used the stress excuse to fail many quit attempts during my life. The bottom line is, you have to believe that you can quit. You have to believe in your own strength. Human beings are amazing creatures. We have the strength and ingenuity to surmount the most amazing challenges (i.e. space, medicine, etc), yet we don't see the strength within ourselves. It is in you just as it is in us all. You can do this! I wish you success.

You've come to the right place, and welcome. Begin by making sure that you really want to quit. If that is the case, you will find a way to do it. Begin also by believing you CAN do it, and by acting accordingly. Start doing some things to put your desire into action. Spend some time researching different ways to quit. Read through the old posts on this board, and check out other smoking cessation sites, like whyquit.com. Ask questions and get advice here. Use your DS journal to write about your fears. Figure out which method or combination of methods you think will work best for you. Make a plan. Go for it. If it doesn't work, try again. Keep trying until you find something or a combination of things that works for you. Never give up, and never quit quitting.

Read anything you can on addiction. Find out what addictions do for you personally, then go from there.
It is hard; very hard to quit.
You CAN do it. I think I can, I think I can, I know I can.

awww - I read your profile; you have been through so much sweetie! I am so sorry for all you have been through, but I still believe you can do this! We just have to learn to handle all things as a non-smoker.

We have so many years of associations built up as a smoker; it takes time and work to break those associations! It is worth it! Peace does come!

Here is what has helped me:

1). One day at a time - period. No exceptions. Do not attempt to thing long term where your quit is concerned.
2). Reconditioning the mind (aka retrain the brain). You associate smoking with many things - some of which are not real or realistic or truthful. For instance, you mentioned that you need to smoke when things are tough with your girlfriend. The reality is, you don't. Smoking "seems" to relieve us because the nicotine levels have dropped in our bodies. When we feed that, it gives us a feeling of relieve. You have to recondition your mind (during your quit - not before) so that you see smoking for what it truly is - a stinking killer. We KNOW it is a killer, but not at the same level that a non-smoker does. If we understood it at that same level, we would never consider sticking a lit smoke in our mouth!
To help you in reconditioning your mind, read the red to the left, read as many posts as you can digest, tell yourself outloud:
I am a non-smoker!
I am free!
I will never put this poison in my body again!
etc.
Visit www.whyquit.com - read Noni and Brian's stories - these are great in helping to recondition our minds and see smoking for what it truly is.
To help get me through craves, I exercise and drink lots of water! I mean LOTS of water! In the evenings, I will treat myself to a popsicle! During the day, I chew a few pieces of gum; sometimes I have some mints (especially in the beginning). The first few days, I slept as much as possible. Brushing your teeth after a meal helps as well.
Make a list of all the reasons you want / need to quit and keep it handy! I personally have written lots of things down to say outloud daily. It seems silly, but this is life and death so I'll take silly if it'll work!

Goodluck and God Bless!

I have been quit for 2 Months, 5 Days, 11 hours, 32 minutes and 45 seconds (66 days). I have saved $116.33 by not smoking 664 cigarettes. I have saved 2 Days, 7 hours and 20 minutes of my life. My Quit Date: 10/4/2007 8:00 PM

We let ourselves become slaves to the tobacco co,we become addicted to Nicotine,it was so easy to fall in that trap. But we Can take our freedom back but we have to pay the price.
First we have to make sure we want to QUIT. Then keep telling ourslves we CAN, and be proud that we have that choice. Its harder for some then others, but it can be done. Look at all of us here who has did it. Good Luck, and keep strong.

You are in charge, you can do anything you want to.

Grannie

Get a bit of paper and write down the bonuses you get from smoking then write the bonuses of not smoking. Bet you get more reaseons to stop. You ARE strong and you CAN do this. It's not easy - But you've got all the support you could ever want from all of us here. Good luck.