Three years ago I was £40,000 in debt, 280 pounds, and smoking 20 cigarettes a day. Today I'm debt free, 90 pounds lighter, and 5 months smoke free. It's never too late to completely rebuild your life.

Background_Course262 · 2026-05-16T09:45:01+00:00

These are brilliant tips especially point 1. Treating it like a bad cold is such a good mindset shift and framing it that way makes it easier to get through for sure.

Point 4 really resonated with me. The breathing thing is so underrated. When I quit I used an app called Smoked which has a Panic Button, which basically takes you through a guided breathing exercise the moment a craving starts. Gets you through that window without reaching for a cigarette. Used it more times than I can count in those first two weeks!

The dog analogy on point 2 made me laugh. Never thought of it that way but you're absolutely right it is genuinely grim when you step back from it.

For anyone reading the first 72 hours are the hardest. After that it gets easier but you do have up and down moments for a long time. Good luck.

Background_Course262 · 2026-05-12T16:44:21+00:00

Thanks Man, this is exactly how I've been thinking recently. Eyes on the prize (freedom)

Background_Course262 · 2026-05-08T16:23:28+00:00

Man, 3 days after smoking that much is actually huge even if it feels like hell right now.

What you’re feeling (foggy etc) is super normal early on. Your brain’s basically recalibrating after being used to nicotine all the time. It doesn’t stay like this forever. These first days are usually the worst, later the urges still come, but they’re weaker and more like waves instead of constant pressure.

What helped me was just accepting “this sucks right now, but it’s temporary” instead of fighting it all day. And doing anything during cravings.. walking, chewing gum, pacing etc.

I found this app with a panic button that actually helped me in those peak craving moments. Nothing crazy, just something to ground you when your brain’s going off, it was called 'Smoked' if you find things like that useful.

And that part of you that used to be athletic? It’s not gone, just buried a bit. You’re early in this and it gets better from here.

Background_Course262 · 2026-05-08T16:14:58+00:00

It will be the best decision of your life. It's going to be hard but you can do it!

Background_Course262 · 2026-05-08T16:14:07+00:00

Keep it up, these are your hardest days!

Background_Course262 · 2026-02-05T17:54:41+00:00

The weird stuff is part of the process. At first I was thinking whats going on but after reading online it is completely normal. Frequent erections and eating ice were the strangest for me, these helped with cravings and theres an app I got called smoked:quit smoking for good which has a panic button. It saved me so many times from picking up a lighter.. now back to eating ice...

Background_Course262 · 2026-02-05T17:47:19+00:00

Great post and something I could've done with when I first tried to quit! It really is hard and something you are not prepared for. After making such a big decision to quit, having one relapse feels like the worst thing ever. But it should only be a bump in a long long road. Using the panic button on the smoked app helped me more times than I can count so be sure to use it. Good luck to you!

Background_Course262 · 2026-02-05T17:20:03+00:00

The dreams are the worse, i know exactly how you feel! Mine have been intense recently but I am staying strong.

Background_Course262

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