Stop kidding yourself. You’re not ready to quit.
And that’s okay. The sooner you admit that you’re not ready, the sooner you’ll be able to quit once and for all.
I smoked for over 10 years. A pack a day for most of that time.
I tried to quit 14 times. Some attempts lasted a few days. Others lasted as long as 9 months.
But all 14 attempts had one thing in common — I wasn’t ready.
“It’s easy to quit smoking. I’ve done it hundreds of times.” – Mark Twain
Not convinced? Still think you’re ready? Fine. Then answer this question:
Right now, this very instant, can you honestly say that you are ready to never take another drag from a cigarette? Not a single drag. Not ever. Starting right now.
If your answer was “no,” or if you found yourself arguing with the question, then you’re not ready. But I already knew your answer. How did I know? Because you’re reading this article.
I’ve helped dozens of students to successfully quit smoking. If you follow the steps below, then you’ll succeed too. And you won’t have to fail 14 times like I did.
Step 1: Admit It
You’re an addict. There’s no shame in admitting that. I am an addict too. And I quit smoking years ago!
So why do I still call myself an addict? Once an addict, always an addict. Especially with nicotine, the king of addictions.
During one attempted quit, let’s call it attempt #5, I actually picked up someone’s half-smoked cigarette from the ground. It was surreal, as if I wasn’t in control of my actions. I stopped myself midway, as if waking from a nightmare, but wow — that’s addiction!
I can admit that I’m an addict. Can you?
Step 2: Know Thy Enemy
Nicotine is powerful stuff. It crosses the blood-brain barrier and messes with your dopamine pathways. After years of smoking, those pathways get altered. In other words, smoking physically changes your brain.
If you’ve been smoking for a few years, then your brain has been conditioned to responded to nicotine. Think about how many cigarettes, day in and day out, you’ve smoked. That’s a lot of training. No wonder your brain changed.
Can those dopamine pathways heal? Probably. I agree with Dr. Rankin that there is “no such thing as an incurable illness”, and I’ve seen the incredible power of self-healing in myself and thousands of students.
But when it comes to nicotine, it can take years to heal those pathways. So it’s a conundrum. By the time your dopamine pathways heal, by the time you MIGHT be able to take a drag without getting addicted, you’ll no longer have any desire to do so.
Step 3: Know Thyself
I can sit in a bar, surrounded by smokers, and have zero desire to smoke. If someone offers me a cigarette, I say “I don’t smoke” without hesitation, and without a second thought. Even when major stresses come into my life, I still don’t feel any urge to go buy a pack.
So I’m “cured” of smoking, right? Yes. But you know what? Even after all these years without a cigarette, even with my daily Qigong and Tai Chi practice, even with all the acupuncture I’ve received — I’m still not sure if my dopamine pathways are 100% back to normal.
And it doesn’t matter. Because I’m not going to find out. Even after all these years as an ex-smoker, I believe that a single drag might be enough to reignite the dopamine pathways and send me right back into addiction. That belief, whether it’s true or not, serves me well. It helps me in my mission to remain smoke free.
I’m an addict, and I understand the addictive nature of nicotine. I’ll never take another puff in my life. I won’t risk it. Period.
Step 4: Make Peace
Are you bargaining in your mind? Are you trying to rationalize a future where you can smoke cigarettes now and then? If so — forget it. That’s the addiction talking. Once you break the addiction, you’ll think much more clearly.
You don’t have to quit now (we’ll get to that part soon). But once you do, you can’t smoke ever again. Make peace with that. You don’t have to like this advice, but for your own sake, you should make peace with it.
If you do the research, you’ll find that all ex-smokers agree on this issue. All of us have one thing in common — we’re completely done with smoking. That chapter is over.
What about those people who can just smoke on weekends? Personally, I think they may be aliens in disguise. I’m not sure that they’re human. Certainly, they are not addicted like you are, or like I was. They aren’t REAL smokers.
I desperately wanted to believe that I could be like them, and I tried really hard to do it. But it didn’t work. At least 8 of my quit attempts failed because I tried to smoke “just now and then”.
It doesn’t work. Ask any ex-smoker. The next time you quit, it’s got to be forever.
Step 5: Quit Quitting.
Now for the fun part. If you’ve been stressed out thinking about never smoking again, then relax. You’re not quitting now. In fact, I want you to quit quitting.
The next time you quit will be the last. Until then, you’re going to continue smoking — and you’re going to do it completely guilt free.
Right now, there are too many negative emotions surrounding the act of smoking. Guilt, shame, anger, worry, fear. In the world of Chinese medicine, those emotions represent energy blockages. You need to start clearing those blockages BEFORE you try to quit smoking.
If you’re constantly trying to quit, and constantly failing, then there’s never a chance to clear those blockages. You’re spinning your tires in the mud. You’re just reinforcing negative emotions, and making it harder and harder to actually quit.
Quitting smoking is stressful. Of course, smoking is also your way of de-stressing. If you quit too many times, you’re creating more stress than you’re eliminating. You may actually be lowering your stress threshold rather than raising it.
Step 6: Enjoy Smoking
If you’re reading this article, then you’ve probably gotten to the point where you hardly enjoy smoking any more. You smoke because you’re addicted, because of the habit, because you would feel terrible if you didn’t smoke. Gone are the days when you truly enjoy smoking.
We need to reclaim that. I know it’s counter-intuitive. But if hating smoking made it easier to quit smoking, you would have quit already, right?
So I’m giving you a free pass. For the next 3-12 months, you’re going to smoke guilt free. In fact, you’re NOT ALLOWED to quit smoking for at least 3 months. If anyone questions you, tell them that Sifu Anthony said so, and they should take it up with me. (Don’t worry. I know Kung Fu.)
For 3 months, I want you to savor each cigarette. Be present. Smile from the heart. (Click here to learn how.) Be here and now. Notice the cigarette, the color of the cherry, the feel of the drag, the shape of the smoke. That’s Zen.
Here’s what’s NOT Zen. Lighting a cigarette and smoking half of it without hardly noticing. And then needing to smoke another one immediately after because you missed the first one.
It’s critical that you don’t feel guilty. Guilt just creates a negative loop. You feel bad, and then you want to smoke more, and then you feel worse, so you smoke more. You need to break the cycle, and the way to do that is by feeling good.
Step 7: Add Good Habits
In this online course, I talk about why most people fail with their New Year’s Resolutions. They fail because they try to subtract bad habits rather than adding good one. Don’t make the same mistake.
Don’t take anything away. Add good habits first.
The course above gives you everything you need to change your life using 2 minutes a day of qigong as your gateway habit.
Learn qigong ASAP. If you’re not going to learn it right this instant, then schedule a time to learn it. I’m serious. If you finish this article without scheduling a time, then no matter how good your intentions, you won’t do it. So put it on your calendar right now.
You first goal is to do 2-Minutes once a day. That’s harder than it sounds. You’ll probably be okay for a few days, but then you’ll forget. Keep trying until you succeed in doing it every day for 30 days.
Step 8: Set a Date
Keep smoking, and enjoying yourself, until you have made a strong habit of doing 2 minutes a day of qigong.
All of that enthusiasm and energy you periodically have toward quitting — put all of it into your daily qigong. It’s not time to quit yet.
Once you’ve managed to do 30 days of qigong (and not before), then you can think about setting a quit date. There’s never a perfect time. You’re going to be an absolute mess for a few weeks after you quit. But you’ve got to do it sooner or later.
Remember, this next attempt at quitting is going to be your last one ever. No more trying. Do or do not.
Set the date far enough in advance that you can continue to do two things for a few more months — enjoy smoking, and practice qigong for 2 minutes a day.
So let’s say that you’ve successfully done 2 minutes a day for 30 days. You decide to set your quit day 3 months down the road. Until that day, you’re going to continue enjoying your cigarettes (a Zen exercise), and also doing 2 minutes at least once a day (and preferably twice).
Step 9: Get Ready
With your quit date set, you have time to get yourself ready. Gradually start to arrange things for that day. For example, collect all of the ashtrays in your house, and throw out all but one. Tell people that you’re going to quit. Obviously, you’ll also need to get rid of all your extra cigarettes.
I’m a big fan of the acupuncture protocol called NADA (National Acupuncture Detoxification Association). If you’re in Gainesville, my wife offers it at her clinic. You should start doing this roughly 1-2 weeks BEFORE your quit day. (If you’re not in Gainesville, then look for a NADA practitioner near you.) This will help you to get ready for the big day.
But most importantly, get your heart and mind ready for the big day. You’re gradually psyching yourself up, reminding yourself of all the reasons you want to quit.
Step 10: Say Goodbye
So the big day is approaching. You’ve told all your friends so that they can support you (and not tempt you, if they’re smokers). You’ve gotten the house ready. You’ve gotten rid of all but a few cigarettes.
This is a personal choice, but I’m a big believer in the power of ritual. I still remember the last cigarette that I smoked. I made a little ritual out of it, and said goodbye, as if saying goodbye at a funeral.
I recommend that you smoke your last cigarette at night. That way, you can wake up the next morning and start fresh. And that’s exactly what you’re going to get — a fresh start on life.
Step 11: Go Cold Turkey
Forget the patch. Forget the gum. Cold turkey is the only way to go. Again, just ask ex-smokers, and the successful ones all agree — go cold turkey.
I’m not going to sugar-coat it for you. It’s going be rough for a few weeks. You’re going to go through withdrawal from one of the most addictive substances known to man. But that’s a necessary part of the process.
The suffering that you experience during the withdrawal is part of the equation. Don’t wimp out of this step with the patch or something similar. Going through the hell of withdrawal is necessary. A few months down the road, when you’re craving a cigarette, you’ll remember how awful it was when you went cold turkey. Because of that memory, you’ll be less likely to go backward, and more likely to go forward.
Use your tools, especially the 2-Minute Drill. It will be your life vest. It will also help you to detox faster. During the first 2 weeks, you may need to do it 10 times a day, or even more.
Don’t expect the 2-Minute Drill to make everything okay. You won’t be okay. You’ll probably be miserable. But the 2-Minute Drill will make it tolerable, and give you the strength to get through.
(A small percentage of people don’t experience the hell of withdrawal. This has advantages and disadvantages. The advantage is that it’s easier to quit. The disadvantage is that it’s easier to start up again. If you’re one of these people, then you need to stay vigilant, especially 3-6 months after you quit.)
Step 12: Visualize the Future
Maybe I should have started with this part. Do you start with the good news, or the bad news? In this case, I started with the bad news. So here’s the good news.
Once you make peace with never taking another puff, and once you get through those first few months, once you quit for good — life becomes beautiful.
[Click here to read an article I wrote after going 10 years without a single puff from a cigarette.)
All those little things that you’re worrying about now — how you’ll drink coffee without a cigarette, how you’ll go to a bar, what you’ll do after a meal — all of that stuff will seem trivial once you’ve broken the cycle of addiction.
Take it from me — it’s worth it. You haven’t felt so alive in years.
I know that, from where you’re standing, it’s hard to imagine life without cigarettes. But from where I’m standing, it’s hard to imagine life WITH cigarettes.
Like I said, that chapter is over for me. My life is so much fuller and richer now that there’s absolutely no need for me to smoke again. Not ever. Not even one puff.
Let’s use the comments below as a community support group. Those of you who have already quit, please post your stories below. And those of you who are getting ready to quit — come back to this article and post your thoughts, questions, and concerns whenever you need a little help. I’m here for you. From the heart, Sifu Anthony
I have never smoked, and never will. But insofar as taking an approach to and having an attitude toward an addiction–this is genius.
Seems to me your using a bit of the AA programme here. And as for ONLY going cold turkey, well I know many people who have used whatever to help and they remain quit.
I didn’t intentionally incorporate principles from AA, but I’m sure there’s plenty of overlap.
Cold Turkey is the way that worked for me. It’s also the method I’ve seen the most long-term success with. I’m sure other methods work too.
I started smoking a year ago. Is it easier to quit if you haven’t smoked as long or does that not matter?
I’m not entirely sure but I would think so! Ive smoked a long time, over 47 years & had very difficult time w/much work to do. The detox is probably about the same & quits very by person & time(s). One quit for me my be worse or better than if I’d try again. Go ahead & give it your best shot & remember no matter what just don’t take a puff! It’s the ONLY way to quit! N CH success to you! I have 2 months & 21 days, June 24th at 10pm, I quit!
I think it’s easier because you don’t have such a long history. By the time I quite, I had a long history of smoking a cigarette with coffee, smoking with a beer, and smoking whenever I felt stressed.
Hi I quit cold turkey last night at 10:00 haven’t picked up a cigarette since I’m proud of myself
Good for you, Gina!
Can you please expain to me why it is so important to quit. I’ve only been smoking for a few monts, but I dont think I’ll ever quit. I dont want to. Cigarretes are one of lifes many bounties. I’m happy as a smoker. Why do people want to quit so badly?
I think that the health risks of smoking have been well documented. I’m happier and healthier as a non-smoker.
After reading all of this I do not think there were any suggestions that Anthony’s approach is AA related. He simply stated the obvious which is nicotine addiction and it’s processes is the most addicting substance and activity in existence. It’s certainly the strongest reward system although that is pretty interesting because we reward ourselves by trying to set out to eventually kill ourselves. If you believe that alcohol, opiates, opiods and cocaine, methamphetamine etc are higher on the chain you are incorrect. AA uses the 12 Step Approach that would certainly help with smoking cessation. Today is the first day of the rest of my life smoke free. More then 20 years a ago I stopped for 9 months and asked someone for a cigarrete like I was in a movie. And the 9 months went in to the toilet in 9 seconds. I have been smoking for almost 50 years and I have been one human cigarrete. Smoking has been my best friend other then my wife. It’s taken me away from more time with my kids because I always needed a cigarrete and would not smoke around them and never allowed them to see me with one although they smelled it all over me. It’s also given me Bladder Cancer, low grade non invasive, I was lucky and I still didn’t quit. Smoking is the number one cause for Bladder Cancer. I now have coronary artery disease, COPD, mild cardiomyopathy and a lung cyst. So what’s the moral of this story. I denied all of it. I haven’t felt well for some time even though I look pretty good at 67 years old I must say. My situation is pretty straight forward. I will die if I continue to smoke. Yeah I know we all die. I will not let this wolf in sheeps clothing kill me. It’s no different then any other drug and smokers are ingesting a drug. It makes friends with you and then sets out to put you in your grave! It’s a legal killer and murderer of the innocent. I’m looking at the punture at my right wrist this morning after my second cardiac catheterization I had yesterday. When you see those TV ads with the people who have been mutilated by smoking well that’s severe. Most don’t see what’s happening to them until it does and it will. Those folks who tell you I have a 90 year old grandfather he’s been smoking all his life and he’s got nothing wrong with him, you’d have a better chance winning the Power Ball. I have spent my life in Health Care as an RN and I am telling you I knew all the risks and believed that I would be the grandfather above. Didn’t happen! Good Luck
cold turkey is also what helped for me and tons of prayers and support from loved ones. I smoked for 30 years and had to stop immediately because of a brain infection and epilepsy 25 days before my 45th birthday
I miss smoking so much and im already on month 6. I have fallen off the wagon a few times in the 6 months, so its not 100% 6 months smoke free, but it is very difficult. I feel that the craving is gone, but the desire to smoke is still very real for me (I don’t need to, but I want to) 🙁
Hello Klaith. Cold turkey worked for I, whereas patches, e cigs, gum etc. failed.
I believe it’s because you’re still putting nicotine into your system, so although you have quit cigarettes, you still have a nicotine habit, you just changed the delivery system is all.
Good luck to all you quitters, it ain’t easy, but nothing worthwhile is easy.
I dreaded the withdrawal of going cold turkey as I had went through it earlier in my smoking career. After 25 years of smoking I invented a way to gradually reduce the nicotine in my system before going cold turkey and used techniques very similar to what Sifu suggests. There was definitely withdrawal but not near as bad, and I am now proud to be smoke free. Everyone stay strong and use the time you won’t be smoking to do the things you love!
I am a smoker of over 40
Most of NA and AA and all the other A’s have roots in spiritual principles thousands of years old. Studying and daily Qigong for the past 2 plus yrs. has taken the place of Anonymous recovery for this former addict. I say former because I believe the mindfulness of my practice has replaced the reality of the addiction.
Wow. So powerful. I quit an 11 year habit 12 years ago, only to pick up again 2 years ago in the wake of a family tragedy. I stopped 4 days ago on a whim. I’m miserable. Did not prepare and can’t stop obsessing. Not looking for permission 😛, just expressing that I may not be ready. My quitting is centered around shame and not self-love.thanks for your words
I smoked cigarettes from ages 12 to 18. I’m 26 now and have been tobacco-free for 8 years. The thing that really helped was something my sister told me once: “It’s easier to NOT do something than it is to do something.” In other words, when you crave that cigarette, just remind yourself, “It’s less effort for me to just keep doing what I’m doing than it would be to get up, find my cigarettes, go outside, etc.” Maybe this won’t work for everyone, but this little trick is incredibly simple and was surprisingly powerful for me.
The interesting thing about being a smoker is that you don’t know when it becomes a thing. And then it is. We all know it’s bad-commercials/ no smoking campaigns etc. but once you have taken the plunge and started it’s CRAZY hard to stop.
I started the patch 6 years ago and it did for me what having kids and all my common sense couldn’t do- I quit. I mean I smoked here and there while being on the patch for a few years.. but I eventually became totally abstinent. Now I would NEVER light up but I am totally addicted to patches. On the days when I go without (because sometimes I forget) I will realize in the middle of the day……you’re so angry right now because you never put the patch on. Science says it’s better than smoking and I believe that- but I am still super annoyed that this is a problem that I have. However I am prepared to be a non smoker through patches forever. I feel good about that in terms of risk. I think it’s unfair to think of people that have “medical” solutions as cheating. It’s still hard but now I’m not hurting anyone else and hurting myself much less. Drug free would be awesome but I don’t think it’s in my cards anytime soon.
Have you been reading my mind again? I’ve tried all ways and many times to quit smoking – I know I’m strong enough to do it because I’ve already quit addictions to alcohol (not one drop for over 40 years) and prescription pain killers (legitimate use). But you are so right, every time I fail makes it harder and harder to even attempt. My heart tells me you’re right in your approach. I’m already getting the acupuncture treatments and will do as you prescribe and keep you posted.
Thank you for the fresh take on the whole thing!
Sifu speaks the truth.
I smoked for twenty years and seriously quit about five times, once for nearly three years. I used the patch or chewed the gum and each time I quit I was miserable, felt deprived and depressed, not just for weeks, but for months on end.
I was also envious of every smoker I saw–deep in my bones jealous, almost angry that I couldn’t light up. And the dreams. I constantly had smoking dreams. All that thinking about cigarettes was exhausting.
Until the last time I quit.
The last time I quit it was easy. I actually ENJOYED quitting. I imagined the withdrawal as a strange flu and treated myself gently for a week, but my relationship with nicotine was over the second I put out that last cigarette. I was not depressed, I was not envious of smokers and I no longer obsessed about cigarettes. I was free and it was awesome.
Though this happened long before I met him or learned of Qigong, so many things Sifu outlines above were a part of the plan I used to quit. That I gave myself permission to smoke meaningfully and not mindlessly until I was ready was key. That I had a method was key. That I had a ritual was key. That I quit cold turkey was key.
Sifu says, “… once you quit for good — life becomes beautiful.”
He is so right on.
If any needs a quit buddy, I’m available. I enjoyed quitting so much that I love helping and encouraging others to have that same awesome and freeing experience.
Thank you for your message; I really clicked with it. I just quit 2 days ago and I am happier already but am prepared for the withdrawals to begin. I am married for 6 months and my husband hates the smell of the smoke and to tell you the truth, so do I! I smoke in the house and have spent so much money on glade candles its insane! $3.50per candle is the regular price and I have collected about 75 jars (this doesn’t include about 50 I have thrown away). I added it up and welp, Im done. I would appreciate emailing you from time to time if that is okay. Thanks
Nikki, I didn’t even think about all the money I’ve saved, but I’m sure it’s a lot!
Hi Robin,
You have just described me right now. I am miserable, I feel deprived and depressed. Like you I am envious of smokers, jealous and so, so angry that I can’t step outside and light up a cig. Urg….I am not a very nice person……………………..
It has been 2 months. Yes, 8 weeks of cold turkey hell. I thought it would start getting easier by now. NOT! I have gained 25 pounds, can’t stop eating. I refuse to smoke ever again, but man I sure wish this would go away.
I’m sorry to hear you’re suffering so much, Stacey. For me 8 weeks was the turning point where I didn’t feel like I was dying in “cold turkey hell”. So hang in there!
Have you tried adding some qigong? You can learn an exercise for free right here: https://flowingzen.mykajabi.com/store/CNe4WWGo
This is a good post if the addiction is something you want to get rid of. For example, if you are addicted to happiness, (which I am proud to say I’m addicted to,) then this blog post is likely not for you.
Correction: This blog post is likely not for you if you are addicted to happiness, or love.
Addiction is about behavior; when you are addicted you are not mindful or present with the thing, and you do not truly appreciate it. So in fact you don’t really want to be addicted to love or happiness, and I know you meant that lightly but I think its a valid point for many!
I’ve never smoked for years, or even for more than for a few months, so I’m not sure if my experience with quitting will be as relavant for people who have smoked for years, but I’d like to share about it.
When I first started smoking, it was a really deliberate decision. I lived on a farm at the time and it just felt right. I bought a pouch of organic American Spritis and would roll myself one, getting better every time, and sit on the porch either watching the sun set or enjoying a good book. I loved it so much, and I was careful to moderate myself… only one or none a day. I didn’t want to get addicted. When the pouch would start to run out, I just wouldn’t buy another one for months at a time, and I found it easy to take those breaks.
Things changed when I moved and started a new job. My job was incredibly stressful, and I started smoking on my back to back 16 hour shifts as a way to get breaks. Cigarettes went from being a leisure activity, to the thing I needed to escape the constant low level trauma that was my workplace. It worsened when I started getting pre-rolled cigarrettes. I lost my ritual. I quit a few times, but of couse rough days happened.
What finally worked for me was to get a pouch of the best tobacco I had ever tried and to really savor the experience of rolling (which I miss more than the smoking!) and enjoy every drag, like what Sifu recommends. I committed to never buying tobacco again, and never smoking anything that wasn’t quality, hand rolled tobacco that I would really enjoy. That was way easier than committing to never smoking again, and it felt good because it was a way of valuing myself. And it worked, and continues to work… I haven’t smoked since, and especially now that I have other, better ways of managing stress like practicing Taichi or Qigong, and an even greater commitment to my health, smoking doesn’t even cross my mind as a way to de-stress anymore. Thank you so much Sifu!
So my two cents: consider upgrading what you smoke before you quit… you might enjoy it more, and miss your old smokes less.
Quiting Smoking is something I am wanting to attempt. My past failures are mostly due to parents in the home who still smoke. . . I am torn between wanting to quit, and seeing the cigarettes lying around and being more tempted to pick on up again.
There is no way I can get out of the home, seeing and smelling the cigarette smoke, and the withdrawl is what has me returning to smoking every time. I am at a loss of what to do, besides locking myself in my room and dealing with the withdrawl.
With things that I want to do and achieve, continuing to smoke is not my answer, this much I realize, but I need a way that will help me quit amist’d smokers in the home. I plan once again to try and quit. I know that it is not going to be easy cold turkey, given the years, but it is something that I have to do to improve my over all good health. What I need is a way to accomplish that with smokers around me.
I’ve had the exact same problem. I think it is a self-limiting belief to be honest. I live with 2 smokers (close siblings) in the house and for months (even years) I kept telling myself it’s impossible to quit as long as they are smoking as I will be constantly surrounded by the smoke and it will be 100 times more difficult.
I reached a point where all that didn’t matter. I hated smoking. I hated this addiction. I simply did not want to take another single puff and from all the times I attempted to quit and stay off smoking, this time has been by far the easiest. I literally haven’t had a single craving during the past 3 months since I quit, even though I’m constantly surrounded by family and friends who do.
Don’t think you need to move out or to have your parents quit smoking in order for you to do it. In my opinion, you just have to deeply know why you want to quit and to believe that, instead of believing your self-limiting beliefs.
After 7 years of non-smoking, I again started 4 years ago (as a relief during a very stressful period; stupidly so, I know 🙂 ). I’m determined next time I quit, I quit for good! (i.e. – never light a cigarette again, no matter what the situation or circumstances)
I’m not much afraid of the trouble of breaking off the addiction since I did it before and can do it again. But this time I have another issue which impedes me from letting go of it: several years ago I suffered an ameba intestinal infection in India and since then I’ve had continuous problems with digestion, tensions, pains, blockages in the abdominal region, incl. morning constipation. For the latter I’ve tried various remedies, but nothing really worked much; the only thing that really does work for me is drinking some warm water or tea (sometimes with lemon juice added to it) AND smoking a few cigarettes in the morning – that’s the only thing that activates my digestion.
So, before quitting smoking, I think I should find a solution for this issue first. Can you give any advice or recommend a specific qigong exercise to help restore healthy digestion?
Hi Igor. Yes, I recommend that you add Qigong to your morning routine before you worry about quitting smoking. The article above will give you some tips, and when my book is finished, that will teach you everything you need to know in detail. You’ll be amazed at the results.
Apart from “lifitng the sky”, is there any specific qigong exercise to activate the qi flow in the abdomen/intestines in the morning?
Hi Sifu, is your book finished yet? I would love to buy it!
I’d love you to buy it, but it’s not finished yet. The 1st draft is about 95% done!
I started smoking at 14 years of age, I will celebrate my 60th birthday in October,apart from 4 or 5 attempts at quitting , which lasted 24 hours at the most, I have smoked everyday. going cold turkey I believe will be the only way.
I am so glad that I discovered this site, as I have been wanting to quit but dreaded the thoughts of withdrawal symptoms. when I do decide my date I will quit for good. there are so many points covered in this site that are relevant to my situation that I feel I have a chance at last to be smoke free
Alan, good for you! Let me know if I can do anything to help you to quit once and for all.
Totally agree. I had the same experience, smoked 12 years and then went cold turkey. Was fortunate enough to have worked out the principles of the above method on my own, but had I not, this is an excellent guide, and I speak as a nicotine addict. Have now been smoke free for 10 years and that’s the way its going to stay. Best decision I ever made – everything got better afterward as I started to have more ability to have control over my life and the other decisions I made. Life stopped happening to me, and I started happening to life.
I have to say that I completely disagree with this approach. Please read Allen Carr’s book if you really want to quit smoking.
Hi Andrew. I’m not familiar with Allen Carr’s books. If his approach works, great! But that doesn’t mean that this approach does not work. It does.
Also, the latest theories about willpower and habit tend to agree with the approach I mention in this article. I don’t know how Allen Carr’s method differs from the one I listed here. Perhaps you could explain the differences to us?
I found Allen Carr’s books helpful, but they didn’t work by themselves(for me). That being said, there are similarities between Allen Carr’s approach and this one. You have to keep smoking while you read the book, and only setting a date once you have completed the book and ready to implement the tips he outlines therein. That’s kind of what Mr. Sifu Anthony has done here. I think doing both may be helpful to some people. So, as a firm believer in Allen Carr’s methods as being helpful, I can’t disagree with what has been said in this article. I quit for two years using zyban and Mr. Carr’s guidance. And then I started again. So I think this time I’m going to try something new.
But Allen Carr suggests cold turkey is the only way.
I think the reason Allen Carr’s way of stopping smoking was so successful was that he explains about nicotine addiction so well.
I was on The champix drug to stop but was struggling 10 days in so picked the book up and it helped so much.
Just goes to show the power of the mind eh!!
I’ve been quit now for 6 weeks after a 25 cig a day habit for 47 years.
And as an added bonus I’ve saved over £300
Contrats, Lynne! Keep up the good work!
Hey all,
I’m just finishing day one of quitting. I’ve had an awful, awful cough for the passed 4-5 months, and I knew it was due to smoking. I’ve been a smoker for 8 years.
The cough has gotten increasingly worse, and finally when I did research, I found out I had 3-4 of lung cancer symptoms. I laid in bed all day and cried (I’m only 23) and I decided on quitting right then and there.
It’s now 12:40 in the morning, and I’m already suffering. The fact that every thought I’ve had all day has been about cigarettes doesn’t help. I’ve been battling a very constant inner war with myself all day.
At times I feel so strong, like this will be so easy. And then I get these waves of feeling so helpless, unable, and frenzied for just a pack.
Smoking became my lifestyle. It was a part of my identity, and something I deeply enjoyed. I feel as if I’m losing my best friend.
I’m taking the cold turkey advice, however even now I’m itching to reach for the electronic cigarette.
I need your support. I can barely breathe anymore from smoking. I need to quit. I’m not ready for cancer.
Please help
Dear Camila I feel for you be-leave you me.,I was diagnosed with C.O.P.D. about a year and a half ago and I have been wanting to stop smoking ever since and I just have had so much stress since then I can’t seem to quit!.,Well I will tell you something that will make you get serious about it.,on December of 2014 I be-leave that I stopped breathing or my heart stopped,I can’t really say,but I think I died and left my body!.,I started spiraling down and got scarred and thought I was going to hell,then I slammed back into my body,gasped for air,then I saw myself lying in my bed,then the next thing I knew I was flying up out of my trailer,got scared and then I slammed back into my body,gasped for air and then I woke up!,SCAREY TO SAY THE LEAST!.,To make a long story short,you have to quit unless you want to die!,Please quit!!
This is unhealthy. Everybody dies regardless of whether they are a smoker or not: you have to make the distinction of whether you want to die gasping for air at 40 or peacefully while surrounded by love ones at 80.
I haven’t tried this approach yet (as I only read it an hour ago, hahaha) but I am incredibly keen to try. I’m 22 going on 23 and yet I feel like an elderly man. I don’t want to die before I can start a family or accomplish anything personally meaningful.
Everybody dies. That doesn’t mean we have to quicken the process.
This is great advice, after 16 years of smoking a pack or so a day I finally stopped smoking cold turkey. Stopping to Smoke is the best thing I ever did in my life. The withdrawal symptoms and cravings are not easy at first but do get easier with time, I just said to myself when I want to smoke that I won’t smoke now but maybe later and I just continue to postpone that craving. Eventually after about 2 months I do still have random cravings but the idea of inhaling smoke into my lungs doesn’t make sense as I finally started to enjoy a smoke free life.
The withdrawal symptoms the first 2 weeks were very intense but knowing that the cigarette companies had specific engineered chemicals injected into the tobacco to make me feel like this was empowering and motivated me to stop even when I was feeling down and sad without a smoke.
No need to Quit Smoking, just stop smoking, if you fail and light up after a few days no need to panic you stop smoking again until you completely stop smoking.
The idea that smoking is so hard to stop is part of the manipulation tobacco companies have subconsciously used. Nicotine will no longer be in your body a few days after your last cigarette.
Good luck to everyone that wished to stop, in the short and long term it will be the best decision.
An honest Smoker will tell you that it is harder to live a lifetime Smoking then living as a Non-Smoker that is the raw truth.
I really like that last line there, Mike! (“An honest Smoker will tell you that it is harder to live a lifetime Smoking then living as a Non-Smoker.”)
Coming in here a bit late, but I suspect you will be getting readers for years–even decades–on this particular post.
I never set a date. I’ve been intending to quit for months (almost a year now) and I decided to take a different–gradual–approach (right or wrong), but I’m looking for guidance. I turned to vapor, and decided to dial down my smoking. It has been successful (of sorts), but i’ve sort of plateaued. I smoke half of what I had when I started vaping. But that’s all I’ve been able to get to. I would set periodic time targets (up to 3 or 4 hours) and they have mostly worked. I guess my thinking is that I don’t want to overdo it. I’m in sales, and I can’t afford to be irritable. Maybe it’s an excuse, but I believe that it’s working. I committed to 20 hours last night, and I’m 2 hours shy of that goal today (my longest yet). Yes, I’m “crutching it” with nicotine gum and vaping, but my cravings have been almost unbearable for the last 2 hours. But I didn’t set a date.
I’m looking at May 31 (my parents 40th anniversary), which is almost 3 weeks away. I have 1.5 packs at home and i’ve committed to limiting myself to that over the 3 weeks.
I guess I’m asking if anyone knows whether my strategy will help or hurt prior to my date, in cooperation with the plan outlined above. I consider myself as “quitting” because it’s a goal that I have set, but that’s just sort of how I think. I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished so far. Am I deluding myself? I really don’t want to, although I consider myself a target/goal oriented person. I never tried quitting because I knew I wasn’t ready. I believe I’m on the verge of being ready (by ready I mean cold turkey–never again)
I’m starting my 2 – minute drill tonight.
I guess there’s another question. Since the triggers are there, would it be helpful or harmful to vape with 0% nicotine when my date hits? I’m thinking about hand-mouth triggers. That’s something I’ve always considered because I sucked my thumb until I was in hs. I’ve had ex gfs even tell me they’ve caught me in my sleep, when I had no idea. It’s embarassing, even though they said it was cute. So with regard to other addicting aspects (beyond the chemical), is this relevant?
I hope I’m being clear, despite my rambling. I’m jones’n hard right now.
Thanks for this post.
Hi Jeff. I went through a lot of the same kinds of thinking when I quit. Your line about being in sales and thus being unable to afford irritability stuck out in my mind.
In the end, I chose to go cold turkey. At the time, I also couldn’t afford irritability. On the other hand, I also couldn’t afford to continue smoking.
There are other methods of quitting, but cold turkey, and committing to never taking another puff are the tricks that worked for me (and many others).
I’ve been a smoker over 20 years and I’m 33 I have to stop smoking but I don’t have months to prepare because I am pregnant and really wanna stop 2 months ago..any suggestions I want to rite now but my brain won’t let me.. I’m stressing even more now cuz I feel absolutely terrible that I’m still smoking while pregnant. .this is my first child and I’m driving myself insane..Please I’m really open for suggestions also I have high anxiety so it’s just horrible inside my head!!
Hi Valerie. My advice is that you quit cold turkey. Pick a date next week, and then quit. Start preparing your home. Tap into smoking cessation support groups. Tell your family and friends. Summon up all of your spiritual and mental energy. And then quit. It will be the hardest thing you’ve ever done. But it’s not for you. It’s not about you at all. It’s about your baby. Let go of your guilt and shame, breathe, and focus on your baby.
Hi Sifu
I loved this post, great tips and very very useful. I am now on 3 weeks and it is absolute hell! I am on such a roller coaster and it is worse now than it was 1 week ago.
However I have something very useful on my side. 7 years clean from drugs and alcohol. I have been there, done this and made it. I can say one thing though and that is that this is a different monster. I can tell you that in my personal experience so far cigarettes is more addictive than alcohol, cocaine, marijuana or speed!
This has been a tough journey, but my first time quitting smoking ever. I will not go back to smoking and that feels good. I just wish I could stop feeling so uncomfortable now!
Hi Sifu
I quit cold turkey 5 weeks ago, with the help of accupuncture. The first four weeks weren’t great but I managed. However the last couple of days I’ve had really bad cravings again, due to some stress. I think you’re article is great for someone wanting to quit. I really don’t want to start smoking again – would you have any tips to help ?
Hi Lucas. Those cravings can be intense. I remember some cravings that almost drove me mad.
There’s no easy solution, unfortunately. You’ve done the hardest part already — you quit! That’s amazing. But your resolve will be challenged many times not only the next few weeks, but the next few months.
Lift the Sky. Breathe. Practice gratitude. Whatever you do, don’t take another puff. You can do this!
Hi,
I have read the article and most of the comments for strength.
I stopped smoking 9 weeks ago and although I do not wish to smoke again I am struggling to cope with my moods.
I read a separate article earlier, whereas it explained that dealing with stress as a smoker does get surpressed due to the fact that … long story short, it makes you smoke and we forget the whole feeling we felt 2 minutes earlier. Now not smoking I am faced to deal with my daily stresses plus the surpressed feeling have started to surface giving me panic attacks and panic feeling from waking to sleep.
I don’t want to smoke but it has been so hard dealing with the aftermath. The nicotine withdrawal was the easy part. Emotional warfare is hell!!
To add my young son was diagnosed with an terminal illness 4 years ago so my surpressed feeling are probably more than most.
Just wanted to know if anyone else has found the aftermath so bad?
Though I’d be home free after 2 weeks lol
I actually quit under a similar system to this article and once you take the pressure away and learn the power of acceptance you crack it! I smoked for well over 20years at 20 a day.
I had tried to quit under every available option to me previously making it no longer than 3 days.
I don’t want to sound negative because I have achieved something I never thought possible and I do feel free like you won’t believe.
To all who will read article and thread, you will be here because you feel you can’t, YOU can, the key is to stop trying.
Good luck
Donna x
Hi Donna. Yes, I also found the aftermath bad. It was totally terrible. The emotional warfare was definitely worse than the nicotine withdrawal, at least for me.
You don’t sound negative. You sound like someone who is locked in a spiritual battle and needs to vent. Stay the course. You’re winning. Nine weeks!! That’s amazing. Keep up the good work.
Funny 2 years after writing this, I’m still smoke free but COPD diagnosed.. well not funny but more ironic.. although giving up smoking actually saved me but condemmed me as it showed my symtoms if that makes sense….
Im very physically active and proactive in looking after myself.
Im gonna be honest my Journey has been rocky but that only lasted 12 months, my panic attacks stopped probaly 6 months in, once I started running but my mental health probaly lasted another 3 months after. My weight gain was 2 stone and it only levelled out recently and started to reduce independently.
Your probaly reading and thinking f@ck me why would I bother stopping that sounds like hell….
Well its changed my life actually for the better, ive become more of the person ive always wanted to be because I more focused on the task in hand as im no longer preoccupied.
I enjoy life more, live in the moment, no cravings in the background dictating how long I can be sonewhere or where I can go. I have progressed further in my job as 100% present.
Believe me Life is too short and for a little while of misery you can have a lifetime of a better quality of life, better experiences, more opportunities.
From stopping smoking my world has opened up. Things could bring me down like Copd but it wont im happy I changed my habits and can manage it now without battling with smoking as well. Like i said if I had not give up I wouldn’t have realised the symtoms as they were the same as when I smoked;
snotty nose, tight chest, chest infections, cough and chest pains.
Bit this isnt normal non smokers.. It may have been to late if I carried on smoking by the time I got check out amd more damage would have been done.
I still stand by my last post, dont try and give up and its easier, the moment you stop feeling deprived and tell your self its ok if you want a smoke but you deciding just not gonna do it right now it takes that away and you wont feel the overwheling urge.
I was going to say good luck but you dont need it, just stick at it and stay strong.
Donna x
Step 6:
I’ve been a pack a day smoker for ten years. For most of that time I’ve just mindlessly smoked and hated it 90% of the time. This past week or two cigarettes have been very enjoyable and the taste has been surprisingly pleasant. Yesterday I had one of my favorite cigarette and coffee mornings of all time. I haven’t smoked today. I’m not sure why. I wasn’t planning on quitting but it just feels right. It’s funny that I was just starting to enjoy it for the first time in ten years and I want to quit now.
Good for you, Chris! Let us know how it goes.
I guess I am an alien… I have smoked off and on for over a decade. I never have “chain smoked” or had more than 5 a day (unless I’m drinking). Sometimes I go weeks or months without a craving at all. Heck I went 5 years with not a single drag. Yet I can never say never again. What do I do to jot want it anymore?! I feel like it will always want it in the back of my mind.
Hi Jenny. I don’t really have any advice for you, other than to try qigong and see if it helps. I’ve known people like you who can smoke casually, but I truly cannot relate. My experience with smoking was completely and totally different. If you can go weeks or months without having a cigarette, I think you’re in great shape to tame the cravings somehow.
Thank you for this article. For these comments. These have helped me in more ways than I can mention. I am actually on my quitting date as of today and I never read the comments until now.
My reason for quitting has only a small amount to do with myself however, I could probably smoke the rest of my life and not give a damn even though I honestly HATE it. (Minus occasional guilt and other negative emotions) . I am quitting for my fiancé. We have been dating 8 years now, and I have been telling her that I will quit for most of it. She told me recently that me smoking terrifies her because of the way I cough, and all of the things it can do to you. She want to be with me as long as possible and she (and I) believe that me smoking will take away from that. I am only 24 years old but, I have had a truly crappy life. Between an abusive negligent father, struggling in school due to disabilities, and giving up on college to help my family get away from my father; it added up to using smoking to get away from that stress, and a lot of it is still there. I would sit in my room at night and hold a knife to my wondering if it was all worth it. Then one day, when i was in tenth grade, the high school band teacher (he knew me because my older brother was in his class) walked up to me with an eight grade girl next to him and said “Hey Sean! This is Alayna, and I am not gonna be around the next couple days so I want you to do this for me” and he messed up her hair. “Because she hates it.” And smiled and laughed as she glared at him then me. And I thought… ‘That sounds fun’.
That story goes on and on with me teasing her and her and starting to be friends, me finding her looking at me during choir, her staring at me in shock when I tried out for a solo (to impress her) until two weeks later, I blindly blurted out that I was going to be at the dance in two days. (I am rather antisocial, so I almost threw up. Yes literally.) And then dancing with her and telling her that I wanted to date her. And her smiling and crying happy tears and saying yes. And that night, after the dance, I looked at that knife in my hand and smiled as I threw it out my window, knowing it wouldn’t be a struggle to live anymore. That was when I wanted to quit smoking as well, though the stress in my life didn’t leave with my depression.
I was also diagnosed with “high functioning austism” while in high school. She doesn’t care, and helps with doing things normal people do, ie. paying for groceries without a panic attack due to a rather large fear of social interaction. However, she does have a some fear that due to being mildly autistic, I will not be ready to be an adult. (I develop slower emotionally and mentally, so in reality I’m 18 mindset wise) which makes that my second reason for quitting. To prove that I can do anything as long as it is for her. (With roughly 7 attempts to quit per year over the last 8 years that means something.)
She has been the only light in my life, she has helped me believe in miracles, she is my tether to sanity. And she believes the same about me. Losing me to smoking… Would hurt her. Badly. That is my reason. The love of my life. The woman who stood by me through my hell, and didn’t leave. Who showed me her hell, and cried when I told her that it would be okay, because I am still here. Who knows I’m messed up, and has let me lean on her. Who knows she is messed up, and has leaned on me. And now finally thanks to you, all of you, I can prove that she is worth all of it. I just feel kinda stupid, that it never occurred to me. I will do it for her. And now I also have the tools for it. Thank you. I know I can do this now. And it means quite a bit to me to say that.
Powerful article. I am addicted to chewing tobacco and believe this will help. My 3 months starts now. Thank you
Yes, I believe it will help, Bryan! This article may able be of interest: http://flowingzen.com/15830/5-reasons-you-should-stop-making-new-years-resolutions/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-moW9jvvMr4
The same here – TED
Its like i am begining to give up. Smooking for over 20 years now has left me with much addition that fear jumps into me by just thinking of quitting. I drink heavily as well and this go with smooking as high as 2 packs daily. I have tried to quit on multiple occasions to no avail. I hope this will be my final bus stop to this?
Harrison, I hope you’ll take the advice in this article to heart, and start by adding qigong to your routine. It can make such a difference with the fear and also with your willpower!
A nasty cold has been a blessing in disguise for me. Until now I have had no intentions at all to quit smoking other than 1 time where I quit for 2 weeks just to prove to myself I could. I’m going to quit for good now. It’s only been a day.. but I can feel a clarity of mind that I’ve not felt in a long long time. I feel great… no withdrawal… nothing. I don’t understand it in the slightest but it feels good not to have that taste in my mouth and to feel the fresh air pumping through my lungs for the first time in years.
Now I’m just thinking to myself what I used to before I got addicted. Why bother? It doesn’t do any good. I’m not scared of cancer or any disease correlated to smoking.. I don’t even believe smoking is that physically harmful which is probably why I’ve not quit before now, but when I think of how much time I’ve wasted rolling up cigs and smoking them, how much energy I’ve given away to tobacco, all I can say to myself is “not anymore”.
The distraction… taking away my attention from what I really care about, stopping me from reaching my potential without giving anything back of worth. I think everyone needs a reason to quit that resonates with them.. if the reason is solid in your own eyes you will have no desire to continue.
I have 3 year old twins and I’m a stay at home mom. I quit smoking when I was pregnant, however I picked back up the habit once I finished breastfeeding. I guess it was part bordem part loneliness. It’s very isolating being home all day with no adult interaction. Babies are cute but they just slept most of the day. Now I have hobbies and exercised, but the cigarettes were like an old friend I had missed. Silly I know, but true. I regret starting because now my boys are 3 and drive me nuts daily ( I mean that with love). Now I’m overwhelmed stressed, no longer borded, but the only me time I get is when I am smoking. I go days when I don’t smoke and my body feel great. I actually think I have more patience when I don’t smoke. Then all of a sudden panic sets in and I have to have one, the urge is so intense. I just want to stop now, I hate it, it cost too much, I’m tired all of the time. I just can’t seem to get past that urge I get every single time I’m doing good.
Im 34 with 3 children, stopped smoking 2 years ago and newly diagnosed COPD. Who ever is reading this your a ticking time bomb. The next cig really could trigger something
Your probaly needing a smoke after that thought but think twice ( wish od had the strengh ealier)
Find a way to say that your not stopping for good… just not having one right now and before you know it time will pass. Its a hard road but worth it …
I quit smoking two weeks ago and I have been so miserable…sick, tired, I really don’t ever want to smoke again but just thinking maybe I should so I can feel better…how crazy is that rationale?
I can’t pull my self together depressed nothing to live for
Hi Lelsee. I know how that feels. I was there myself many years ago.
It’s very helpful to talk to people. You can talk to someone 24 hours a day at the National Suicide Prevention hotline: 1-800-273-8255
Or you can chat online at http://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
Depression is a terrible illness, but it is treatable. Find the treatment method that works for you, but please find help.
I once thought I had nothing to live for, but now I help others by teaching the beautiful art of qigong! Life can be terrible, but it can also be wonderful!
I have been smoking for about 7 years now, and today I just felt this anxiety come over me, what if smoking takes away my precious time with my 2 year old daughter. Out of nowhere I couldn’t stop thinking about her having to mourn the loss of her mother because of a choice I was making.. I need to quit. I’m going to try the 2 minute drill for a month &set a date. The only thing is I’m such a “mind dweller ” I’m always over thinking in my head, and dwelling. I’m nervous this will be my downfall in quitting for good. Any advice? Thank you for sharing your post it was the first one that actually made me feel like I could do this!
way to go making quitting smoking seem impossible and floating the idea that your brain will never recover… not at all backed by science btw
Hi Niamh.
Did you read the article? Did you read any of the comments?
This article, and this method, have helped many people to finally quit smoking, including yours truly.
And there’s plenty of science behind the idea that nicotine addiction is always lurking, even after you quit.
Here’s a study that states that “…abstinent smokers remain prone to relapse for weeks, months, or even years after cessation of tobacco smoking.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3188825/
Very nice article…. I quit smoking 8years ego when i almost thought will die from smoking.. bcoz im very low and depressed about everything in my life..
To kick out a bad habbit from you, have to incorporate one good before you quit.. thats the best part i found here and i did the same too when i was quitting..never let myself to lit a cigarette again and doing yoga for very long time helped me a lot
When I see some one who smoking, feel like to advse them to quit, but the lessons learnt by our own will lost long forver..I hope some day they will come to know… We are humans not super heroes after all we have bad day, bad time, breakup, fear of becoming bankrupt, work stress, family emotional rollercoasters etc etc etc lol.. we cant predict about our life…just live with positive mindset.. if you have intense cravings to smoking just focus think its just a chemical addiction to your body and nothing to do with it just leave.. all the best.. .
I am smoking for 42 Years and was sick and I was down to 1 cigarette a day. Now I am back at 3 cigarettes. I really don’t want to smoke anymore so I can lead a worry free healthier life. I have one cigarette left. I want to quit, but have the addictive devil on my shoulders. I lost my job and do not have a lot to keep busy. I just set my date for cold turkey for Thursday March 2nd. I set a reminder in my calendar and wrote:
QUIT SMOKING COLD TURKEY I WILL FEEL FREE AND ENJOY MY LIFE WITHOUT WORRY.
I hope this will help me to pull through. I enjoyed reading your advise.
NANA..
I know what that addictive demon feels like on my shoulders! But I tell you this much. I tried cutting down to 3 cigarettes per day, but it was MUCH harder than going cold turkey. Of course, cold turkey was hard in the beginning, but in the long run, it’s easy.
I don’t miss smoking AT ALL now. Not even a little bit. Life is better without them.
After thirty years of smoking I quit 18 months ago and to this day I hate it. I hate that I gained 35 pounds (and counting). I hate how I miss smoking in social settings. I hate how I miss smoking when I’m alone. I hate how I drink more at night. I hate that I smell smoke all the time. Sometimes I think about trying an e cigarette or vaping, but I’m afraid they would send me over the edge. I quit because my husband wanted to but wouldn’t do it without me. He smokes off and on and THAT bugs me. I won’t start again because my kids are so against it. But I HATE being smoke free.
I’m sorry to hear it, Kelly. I don’t hear this often, especially with the word “hate” used so liberally. It sounds like you’ve still got some emotional blockages surrounding the issue of smoking. Qigong, acupuncture, and a technique called Neuroemotional Technique can help.
Here’s another article I wrote on the subject: http://flowingzen.com/16208/10-zen-lessons-i-learned-from-10-years-without-cigarettes/
Kelly…. I hate reading this. I am in the same boat as you.. I hate being a non smoker. I’m almost at the 4 mths mark and besides the 30 pound weight gain , and always wanting a cigarette, I am so depressed that I can’t even stand myself. I’m ready to leave my husband, quit my job, and go hide in a cave. I keep telling myself that this too shall pass, but don’t think k I can hang on for 18 mths like you have. Ugh!
I’m sorry to hear that you’re struggling, Stacey. It sounds like you need help. I strongly recommend that you use all this negativity as fuel to go get help from an acupuncturist, chiropractor, and/or mental health counselor.
This article has some other suggestions as well: http://flowingzen.com/18206/heres-a-method-that-is-helping-depressives-get-through-the-winter/
I’m 3 weeks clean from dip and nicotine patch addiction for 10 years! Been through he worst of it! But now for the past couple of weeks, I’ve noticed vision blur and minor eye wobbles if I try and focus on something. Sorta like a small eye spasm. Is this normal?? It’s very weird
Hi Darren. That sounds like a question for your primary care physician.
I’m exactly 1 week smoke free. This has been an incredible challenge and eye opener on the addictive power of nicotine. Seriously one of the hardest things I’ve done. I decided to quit after experiencing shortness of breath doing things that absolutely shouldn’t be leaving me out of breath. Over the last year I found myself hiding this problem. I’m a professional carpenter and do stay active. I appear healthy,strong and fit , but I am far from that. Cigarettes will kill me, I’m certain of that!!! The great news is that even in this short 1 week period without smoking , I CAN BREATH BETTER!!!! I’m looking forward to the insomnia to go away, crazy withdrawal symptoms
Good for you, Sam!
TRUE STORY Smoked 3 packs a day 27 years ……………………QUIT …COLD PERIOD . 20 YEARS not a drag . Celebrated 20 years clean with good cigar . Addicted instantly . Smoked cigars 3 years . Quit ….cold again . I’m always an addict !
Congrats on 20 years without a drag! I’m sorry you had to learn the hard way that cigars don’t work either. 🙂 But that’s great that you quit again!
And yes, those neural pathways are always there, just waiting for us to take a drag. That’s why I promised myself that I would never take another puff, not even a cigar.
this is a very good and more effective resource. I have got more idea from this quitting-smoking post. thank you so much but i need the best idea about that how can avoid this smoke permanently
I’m at 3 weeks now. I took chantix but only for a month and quit smoking 2 weeks into chantix so I’m at about 9 days without chantix and 3 weeks without nicotine . I smoked a pack a day for 15 years…the years really creep up on you when you put off quitting. I’ve quit about 12 times in the past but longest was 6 months, drinking always brought me back. I’m feeling pretty confident this time since I quit drinking 17 months ago and can’t drink again or I’ll die from pancreas…2 months in a coma and only just got away from alcohol with my life. I will never drink again so smoking was the only real dopamine supplement I had left. The problem with having dopamine deficiency and chemical imbalances is you’re left with a whole that has to be filled with something. My nicotine and caffeine intake increased when I quit drinking and now my junk food and caffeine are through the roof without cigarettes. I go to the gym an hour a day but still getting fat from constant snacking. I was hoping I would get so addicted to the gym that it would fill that hole, but it hasn’t happened. I’m addicted and it helps a little but I still feel empty. People say to have healthy snacks but I don’t think they have the same reason for smoking and drinking as I did because healthy snacks don’t serve the purpose or give me the happy feelings I’m looking for. Lately I’m tired, lazy, cognitively impaired and over eating. I suppose it’s healthier to be an obese simpleton than a seemingly fit smoker, but I’m struggling to find balance. I’ve been trying to meditate more and I’m hoping it gets better and I can find a healthy balance without medication. I have tried a lot of meds in the past but they usually made things worse and I don’t want to pop pills forever
I feel that after years of abusing everything within reach and struggling, I’ve reached a conclusion. I’m part of a rather large portion of humanity with a chemical imbalance and dopamine deficiency with an inate inclination towards abusing dopamine releasing substances. There is no escape from this as I will never feel satisfied without something. Whether it’s alcohol, tobacco, heroin, or food….or a combination of a bunch of stuff, I will always have a hole and simply migrate and shift my addictions or postpone them in misery until they mercifully resurface.
Just some depressing observations I’ve made over the years. I’m of course hoping that I’m wrong, but 34 years on this planet struggling and observing others, leads me to believe that I’m correct. There are some people who manage to transition to another addiction that is seemingly more healthy. E.g. religion, qigong, meditation.karate, exercising. Alas, many are not able to ever make this transition or fall back shortly after. And all of my previous experience makes me suspect I won’t either
So here’s to being a 400 pound, depressed, nonsmoker. Well, at least I shouldn’t get lung cancer
Hi Mike. I feel your pain, or at least 2 out of 3. Although I’ve never been seriously overweight, I have been depressive (and suicidal), and I was a hardcore smoker for over a decade. I know the dark thoughts that you’re talking about.
I’ll say this: you’re wrong that there’s no escape. It’s not easy to do, but it’s possible to escape the merry-go-round of substance abuse. The key is to fill that “hole” that you mention.
You already realize that just quitting various substances isn’t enough. It’s the hole that needs tending.
Obviously, I filled that hole with qigong and tai chi. As a result, I found that my dependency on alcohol and sugar also diminished.
Fixing my diet helped a lot too. I recommend “The New Primal Blueprint” if you are ready to start eating better. Some of those cravings are simply blood sugar imbalances!
Wishing you the best of luck in your journey!
I’ll check it out. I had a good paleo diet going before my pancreas went out, now I can’t have too much fat so I can’t eat how I believe is the correct way. I will look at your recommendations. I’m feeling better today…its that rollercoaster ride right now. Thanks for the feedback
Finding this article seems almost to me, like an answer to my prayers about finding the strength to quit. Having read through the entire article; its almost funny to me know just how surprising, counter-intuitive, and seemingly unhelpful the title of the article seemed at first, but now realize just how incredibly genius it really is! I’ve never seen anyone else bold enough to take the approach Sifu Anthony has taken, but its perfect. By titling the article “Why You Shouldn’t Quit Smoking”; he is able to accurately predict the mid-set of those of us who would inevitably click on it (those who WANT to quit, but are not yet truly ready, and were sort of looking for somebody to “justify” their reservations to quit). By being able to know his audience ahead of time; Sifu has the ability to speak exactly what each of us in this state of false-reasoning, need to hear in order to actually quit for good.
Thank you Sifu Anthony, for finding me through your absolutely genius approach. I have a terrible addiction to nicotine (through vaping, actually), and cannot wait to start going through your method to quit. I cannot wait for the big day when I can finally quit quitting, and quit for good and forever!
I smoked for about 20 years. It’s day three of quitting and I cannot stop crying and wanting to beat my husband and kids. Definitely had a rough few days in regards to my marriage. I don’t find the physical part hard at all. Is this normal? I feel like a serious mental case and that it’s causing more harm than good. I’d feel guilty to start again but I feel guilty now too.
Hi Macy. I experienced a lot of emotional volatility after quitting, although maybe not quite as severe as what you’re describing.
Have you tried qigong? Go try this free course here: https://flowingzen.mykajabi.com/store/CNe4WWGo
It may help to take the edge off.
Thank you for this wonderful article, I’m truly greatful I found it. I will try this because I think that I’m really the most addicted person in the world. I’m 32 years old and I’m a woman and I smoke 3 packs a day. I smoke always, I had meningitis month ago and I did smoke even than!!! Just can’t explain this addiction. Only time when I don’t smoke is while I sleep, take a shower (i even go in the bathroom with my cigarets so I can light one before shower and after while I put my lotion) or do my workout. I will try your advice and will update my story, I promice. and good luck to all of you 🙂
Nikotinana, you have a terrific attitude! Please make sure that you get on my email list. I’m about to release a brand new online program that will help you. I can’t tell you more because it’s a secret, but it will be released this Saturday! Go here and grab the free course to get on my email list: http://flowingzen.com/free
Hi! Very interesting! I only actually quit 1 real time through hypnosis & had pretty easy time but went looney! I’m adhd & it was out of control.
I quit again w/the use of nicotine patches & lozenges almost 4weeks ago after 47+years of smoking! This is a tremendous accomplishment for me! I never thought this day would come, especially under the circumstances.
I’m having much difficulties with anxiety! I was recently diagnosed with illness(es) that has multiple symptoms, including anxiety, mental stuff & it’s hard in that respect! I live not smoking for the mist part & the anxiety is just as bad with smoking. I’ve tried multiple herbal supplements in liquid form, vitamins & herbal teas. As another side effect is not sleeping which also can be blamed on my new diagnoses. Feeling very tired, fearful, disoriented, brain fog, not sleeping, & I also suffer w/pain, new & old.
Prior to being diagnosed, my weight continued to drop, I’d gain some then lose more. Now I’ve regained & weigh more than I’ve in years. # I constantly want to eat, have lozenges or chew hard candy! Constantly eating, obsessively!
I want to stay quit! I don’t want the high anxiety nor the eating issues! The anxiety is terrible! Any helpful ideas? Thanks in advance for your time!
Hi Thelma. You can do it! You can stay quit!
I recommend that you use this qigong program here to help you to create healthier habits: https://flowingzen.mykajabi.com/p/2-minute-qigong-for-healthy-habits
It will also help with the anxiety.
I’m coming up on a year without a cigarette. Quit cold turkey and it was hell. No one had any faith in me and I never thought I could do it. But I couldn’t imagine my life with cigarettes now.
What worked for me above all else was and still is a mental game. You have to make yourself hate them. It’s easy to romanticize smoking, especially when you’ve been away for it for some time. But the truth is, it’s garbage. It makes you look and smell like garbage. How many of our friends and loved ones has this habit destroyed? It killed my father and my grandfather. Our wallets, our time, all wasted. Your thoughts have to shift from “I’m jealous of that person lighting up/I’d do anything for a puff” to “Get that useless crap away from me.” Let the hate boil inside. Make yourself hate them.
Maybe it’s not the healthiest way of staying off of cigarettes but it’s healthier than smoking. I have absolutely zero cravings for a cigarette now. People have smoked around me and it doesn’t bother me one bit. Why should I care, I hate the damn things.
Congrats on your first year! It gets better and better from there!
Hi I quit smoking cigarettes and I was having difficulty in breathing and depression and anxiety …is it normal?
Hi Emmanuel. Good for you for quitting!
I’m not a doctor, so I can’t answer your question. But I believe that a lot of people suffer after they quit smoking. The withdrawal is incredibly difficult. I myself experience some anxiety and difficulty breathing when I quit.
If you are concerned, then go get yourself checked out. It’s probably nothing. Quitting smoking is hard, but it’s one of the best things you can do for your health.
After 30 years of smoking, I quit on Monday October 16th…..I am coming up on exactly 48 hours of being smoke free. The absolute worst symptoms for me are after eating. It is at that time where I have to call up my son for a pep talk or find encouraging websites such as this one to keep me on the right track. The first day I quit, I wore the patch…..but I just don’t think that’s the way to go for me. I also thought of getting those vape pens…but don’t think I will because in all honesty….that’s not quitting either. I can feel some of the anxiety of wanting a cigarette…the withdrawal modes are pure hell…..but I’m trying to keep reminding myself that I LOVE ME MORE THAN I LOVE A CIGARETTE AND ABOVE ALL I WANT TO LIVE A HEALTHY LIFE! I’m just so ready to get over this initial withdrawal stage and I am praying I don’t cave in.
Good for you, Chris! You can do it!
I started smoking at the age of 39…due to stress while navigating a difficult path. For the first year, I smoked only sporadically, but then nestled into a habit of about 2 to 2 1/2 packs a week.
I had always dealt with anxiety and depression, but no medicine ever worked for me, and usually meds made things worse…but I was then put on a med for bipolar disorder and things did get better for awhile.
Years went by and I tried to quit smoking a couple times with no success…once, I made it 3 weeks and became so suicidal that I started smoking again…it was either live as a smoker or not live at all at that point. So, I sadly accepted that I would simply live a shorter life and smoke…because my mental health would allow no alternative.
I gained weight quickly and my depression worsened. I smoked to get through the discomfort of being alive. My heart raced and I had chest pains. Physically, I HATED smoking. I hated how it felt. But, mentally, my life depended on the dopamine zen that the act of it gifted me. I decided to quit. Again. I was 45 and desperately trying to evolve forward.
I had been off my meds for over a year and no longer in therapy…when the meds at long last stopped working, my Dr.’s solution was to stay the course that was failing miserably…stay the course and continue to pay for something that didn’t serve me anymore.
I had been off red meat for a year also. I was working at growing spiritually and making efforts at meditation, but the constant cacophony within my head made it difficult. I bought some new books on spirituality, and a djembe (drum)…and I smoked my last cigarette on June 14 of this year.
By September, I thought, “Wow! I really did it!” I still thought of smoking sometimes, but not all the time. I thought I made it.
Over the summer, I had been off work, and had thrown myself into growth mode. I knew smoking had enslaved me to it and I wanted to learn to enjoy nature again without cigarettes.
I grew a vegetable garden. I grew a flower garden. I planted trees. I meditated. I drummed. I took walks in my meadow and learned about the plants that grow wild here. I wild crafted. I read. I followed my inner whisperings. I danced beneath the moon. I ate better and began to lose a little weight. I incorporated some yoga and spiritual dance into my day.
Then, school started up again…so I went back to work. Tears flow down my cheeks each day as I head for a job that doesn’t quite feel right. I want to be at home…still growing…still moving at a pace that allows me to cope with the clutter in my mind. I want a life back that doesn’t take every single ounce of my energy to live it.
I know how childish that sounds. I know I live in the real world and have to work in order to pay bills and survive. So I go to work and I do a good job. I make a difference and I hold on to that…but then I come home and crawl in bed and only eat and sleep before I get up to go to work and hold it together to make a difference again. I just don’t know how much longer I can do this.
I am getting heavier by the day…using food to try to feel better. The chest pain has returned. My house is a wreck and I have zero will power to fix that. I am so sad and tired all the time. I cry nearly every day. I eat like crap and started drinking diet soda again.
I recognize how much I loathe living right now. It is a constant painful effort. But, I am not done. I have no plans to cease to be…just a desire to. No plans to follow through…I have lived with this illness my whole life and am not ready to let it win…I still have things to do.
And that brings to tonight. Lying here in my bed hating myself and what I have made of my life. Pissed off at the incredible amount of potential I have for living a beautiful life…if I could just get out from under the damn chaos in my head.
I haven’t smoked a cigarette in nearly 5 months, and I am actually considering it…because I know it would at least give me something to look forward to. To feel some form of zen and calm and enjoyment briefly.
I know it won’t solve the big issues. I need to create little habits to keep my home clean, to find peace, to lose fat and get healthier. I won’t be happy until I fill my life with better things and put myself on a proper path.
But all of that is pie in the sky right now because my depression is literally trying to kill me. And I am wondering, do I buy the cigarettes? To live in the mean time? Or do I hold on and try something new? And what is that something…and will it work? (Because this is getting serious, and I need something to work.)
Hi Susie. I can tell that you’re suffering. I’m sorry. I know how a lot of that feels.
Please watch my free video series before it expires. It will give you something to look forward to, and something that you can start practicing on your own:
https://flowingzen.mykajabi.com/p/the-art-of-self-healing-workshop
Thank you.
Stay strong and don’t start smoking again.
I quit almost 2 years ago and yes I think about it from time to time but I live myself too much. Look up how many poisons are in cigarettes…Don’t do it
This is the first method that actually feels like it will help me when I finally am able to say that I want to quit. I am 22 and have been smoking since I was 12. I have a 1 year old son and I tried to quit 3 times while I was pregnant, to no avail. I’ve tried once since he was born and yet again, nothing. I am a Stay-At-Home-Mom and some days I feel as if smoking is the only solace I get when he just wants to scream and nothing is what he wants. Other days, like today, I want to quit. And then there are the days that I keep smoking because my future mother-in-law is constantly telling me and my fiancé, Alex, that she “wishes we would just quit smoking already.” We keep telling her that it takes will power to quit, that you have to want to quit, but she’s never dealt with any addiction. She doesn’t and has never drank, doesn’t and has never smoked, and despises all drugs, so I feel as if she doesn’t understand what it’s like to be addicted to something so thoroughly it almost controls your life. Honestly she is just a big stressor for me and any time I even hear her voice over the phone when she calls Alex, I immediately go outside for a cigarette. I love the fact I’m a smoker any time that I have to be in the same place as her, it gets me away from her.
Right now, and on those days when I want to quit, it’s because I want to be able to chase my son around when he gets older, and I want to be around for every step of his life. And then there is the big “selfish” reason, Alex and I are supposed to be getting married next August and I want to lose a lot of weight before then (enough to be a whole other person) and I know that if I quit, I’ll be able to exercise because I’ll be able to breathe. Lately, it just feels like everything is weighing down on me and smoking is my only escape. But after reading this article, and the comments, I feel as if I really can do it. This seems like a very logical way to go about it especially as someone who loves to smoke, but your right, I smoke a second one anytime that I feel like I missed out on the first. In fact, I started reading this while I was out for a smoke and it actually kept me from smoking that second one. So thank you, for the inspiration to quit, and for keeping me from smoking the second cigarette.
I disagree about the energy thing. I think it’s good in theory. But stress can be a driving factor as well. Thinking negatively about something can drive you to become better. If one thinks negatively about being uneducated it might drive them to educate themselves further. If one feels negatively about eating fast food all the time, it might drive them to research and adopt a healthier diet. I could go on. But point is I, as well as many others have quit because smoking disgusts me. I smoked for 15 years 1-2 packs a day. It wasn’t necessarily guilt. But I would feel my lungs shriveling up. Stairs became more of a chore to traverse. I was spending money I didn’t have. I would eat a delicious meal then ruin it with a cigarette. Ear infections, sore throats, chest congestion, and much more. Cigarettes disgust me, and through that, I was able to quit. I came here because I have a dad who has had 3 heart attacks and his wife my step mom who has lung cancer and is going through chemo. And they are both still smoking. This disgusts me more than anything. I listen to them talk and they have no desire to quit. They claim they are “working on the transition to e-cigs” but that’s pretty clearly bull shit. I do agree that you have to want to quit. But I think people are different in the way they get to that point of wanting to quit. I think negative can definitely be a driving factor. Though my parents seem to be proving that wrong. Sorry I think I’m just venting at this point. Anyways, it seemed a lot of people here benefited from your ideals here. I might show this to them. Not everyone solves their problems like I do and maybe this approach is more suited to them.
Hi,I gave up smoking 34 days ago,I was a long term smoker, gone cold turkey, not had any withdrawal symptoms or coughing etc (yet?) I`ve been urinating a lot more, despite not increasing my fluid intake? My sense of smell seems heightened. Grateful for the fabulous tips/advice on this site. Thank you.
I’m glad it was helpful, Jules. And good for you!
Hi. I quit smoking on New Year’s Day. I was on patch for a week and my anxiety was thru the roof! Thinking it was side effects from the patch I decided to go cold turkey. I suffer from lower back pain-2 herniated disks along with arthritis in my spine. I would have horrible chest pressure off and on. Thinking forgetting the patch and going cold turkey didn’t help it just made things less but the aches and pains, anxiety, stress and everything was still there. Besides all of this 2 months prior I lost my mother suddenly and unexpectedly and 37 days later my father in law lost his battle with lung cancer. One of my reasons to quit smoking….I don’t ever want to go thru that!!!
I’m 37, smoked since I was 18. Quit twice with my 2 children and never really considered myself a heavy smoker. I slipped last week and figured let’s smoke a cig and see if that relieves any pains. Nope
Kept slipping. Granted it’s only 3 cigs a day I’m feeling physically better. Not what I wanted. But I’m calm and don’t have this pressure on my chest yet I have this guilt now.
I did read about quitting too fast. You should prepare yourself, liquid cleanse, take a multi vitamin and change your diet before u actually pick ur date…did I jump the gun here???
I’m meeting with my dr this week. I feel I can put the smokes down for good but only if I get something to take the edge off. I have to be experiencing anxiety. I’m not me anymore and it’s not good.
What makes my situation worse is 4 months and still no cause of death for my mother.
Any suggestions?!?
Hi Jenn. I’m sorry to hear about your mother. That must be heartbreaking.
My suggestion, as you can probably guess, is to add qigong to your routine. Specifically, I recommend this online course: https://flowingzen.mykajabi.com/p/2-minute-qigong-for-healthy-habits
I’ve been smoking since I was 15..I am currently 27..until a few months ago I never gave any thought to quitting..I didn’t think I wanted to..I enjoyed smoking. At least that’s what I told myself..but I’ve smoked even when I didn’t really want to..just mindlessly. .I would smoke sometimes 3 or 4 cigarettes just with coffee in the morning! My typical amount is about 10-15 cigarettes a day..I be been psyching myself up to quit for a while now..made it a few days with the gum..relapsed for a few months..and just now I’m on day 10 cold turkey. However..I’ve been totally obsessing over smoking..I can’t get it out of my head..some days were better than others but this morning was bad! I read this article and seriously asked myself if I was ready to never ever smoke again..my answer was no..I intended to quit for a while to prove I could do it and go back to it later. From what I read here..this means I wasn’t totally ready. So what did I do? I justified myself into buying a pack and savoring it..I just smoked my first cigarettein ten days..and yes..I totally enjoyed it but now I feel regret and guilt..I don’t intend on getting anymore after this pack..but I’m so afraid I’m back to square one. I don’t know if I’m igniting the obsession to smoke again or reinforcing my quit. My reasons for quitting are really not health or money related..but those are great bonuses too. After getting into philosophy and spirituality for a number of years..I’ve concluded that self-discipline and control are essential to unfolding your higher self..smoking is definitely not in line with these principles. I’ve battled addiction most my life with a number of drugs..heroin, meth, pills..you name it. I’ve been off all that for almost two years but smoking and nicotine are by far the most difficult to kick. I smoked this first cigarette totally mindfully and savored it..and I have full intention to never buy another pack ..but I wonder if I’m kidding myself and how I’ll feel when this pack is gone?! Any advice is greatly appreciated. .this battle feels more difficult being that I’m currently a stay at home mom and houswife..when I’m out and about and busy..I don’t feel the need to smoke as much as when I’m at home..but I’m at home all the time these days so it’s a battle to stay busy and occupy myself with something other than smoking..I have the cleanest house in town il tell you that much !
I am very late to this party (but I’m going to post a comment anyway).
As of today, April 9, 2018 it has been TWENTY YEARS since my last use of tobacco (not only did I smoke a pack and a half a day I also dipped snuff and chewed tobacco too).
And yes, like stated in the article, prior to April 9, 1998 I shouldn’t begin to fathom going *one day* without a cigarette….but here I am 20 years later free of it.
Two take home points I want to leave (although there’s many more but I’m about to lace up and go for my morning run):
1) It IS doable! I had made the decision I would die and burn in Hell forever and never have another happy moment if that was the price I had to pay not to use tobacco ever again….but then time passed and actually the opposite has happen. I’m closer to living in a happy paradise than I *ever* was before.
2) I’m grateful. I can’t over emphasize that enough: I’m grateful. Simply stated.
Good for you, Joe!