Can I really do this ? Yes I can

I have managed to kick the PM habit after 35 years+ addiction i.e. most of my adult life.

130+ days now and so thoroughly off the old PM routine that it has been around 15 days since i last logged in here. I used to come here as an alternative whenever I felt the urge.

What worked for me, in order of impact:
1. Remove the temptations
2. Share your challenge with someone or with others on this forum
3. Set minor milestones that lead towards the end goal
4. Fill 'dead' time with other stuff - reading, studying, exercise, work , social company..
5. Work on the underlying issue that makes you seek solace in PM.

To those of you out there still trying , I would say keep trying. I started this process in August 2017 and had many false starts and relapses until I finally cracked it this year. As I've said many times before, the relapses were a positive experience in terms of learning how and why I was tempted and therefore what to do about it - see #1 above.

I don't think this is over yet for me. The habits of 35 years will take longer to completely un-learn than 130 days but I feel I am over the hugely challenging phase of resisting the urge to relapse on a daily basis and now it feels like it is getting easier, week to week. The benefits of abstaining begin to accrue and returning to the 'old ways' become less and less attractive as time goes on.

Thanks to all on the forums who liked and commented on my posts. That was a huge benefit for me . If nothing else I will keep coming back here to encourage others.