Originally Posted by Piedmont Quilter
I've finally made up my mind that enough is enough.
Soon to be ~ SMOKE FREE!
THAT, my dear, is all you need: the mindset that says I'm done, a supportive group that helps you through the rough time, and a change in verbiage from "soon to be" to I AM A NON-SMOKER!
I quit cold turkey (1.5 pack/day habit) in November of '85. (After my beloved Grandpa died from lung cancer.) I decided to take a zero tolerance position. It takes about 17 days for the nicotine to leave your body and the rest is habit. I would suggest that you remove any of the things that remind you of smoking from your line of sight (ash trays, lighters, etc.) Have a substitute available to fill the oral fixation (my MIL used hard-candy suckers).
You can do this! Really.
I was amzed at how desensitized my nose had become AND how salty and spicy my food had become as a smoker. The benefits far outweigh the discomfort.
Hang in there.