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Should we rebrand "Hell Week"? Cancel The title field is required!

1. efram, quit coach

   

   235 posts
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   29 Nov 2017
   25 Aug 2019

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   Since time immemorial, or even before that, people have been calling the first week of quitting smoking "Hell Week." It sounds sort of like something you'd see at the local cinema around Halloween time, right? The poster might have a pack of scary-looking cigarettes looming over frightened teens out somewhere in the wilderness ... brrr!
   
   Do you think that if we came up with a more appealing -- maybe even more accurate -- name for this week, it could make the idea of quitting a little less scary for some?
   
   Because there is so much good that happens during someone's first week of quitting smoking ... it's really the beginning of a new life with added health, freedom, money, energy, etc.; so much to celebrate!  
   
   If you agree, what do you think might make a good new name for the first week?
   
   Thanks in advance for your ideas!
   Efram
2. missy05

   

   17 posts
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   15 Jan 2018
   25 Aug 2019 in reply to efram, quit coach

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   How about “break-free” week?
   
   I likes reading your perspective on the name hell week. Yes, it is difficult but also rewarding and huge improvements happen. It might be more empowering if we used terminology that is more strengths based.
   
   Missy
3. efram, quit coach

   

   235 posts
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   29 Nov 2017
   26 Aug 2019 in reply to missy05

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   I love it, Missy! "Break-Free Week" is empowering. I would look forward to "Break-Free Week" much more than "Hell Week"!
4. jeyan

   

   176 posts
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   28 Nov 2017
   26 Aug 2019 in reply to efram, quit coach

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   Efram,  how about Frosh week?  break free week sounds great too. :)
5. efram, quit coach

   

   235 posts
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   29 Nov 2017
   26 Aug 2019 in reply to jeyan

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   A timely suggestion jeyan! Quitting smoking is like an orientation, eh? Or maybe a reorientation, with the changing of perspectives, from that of someone who smokes to someone who doesn't. 
   
   And as with going back to school, a person can learn a lot about themselves and their strengths by quitting!
6. justfortoday

   

   168 posts
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   12 Aug 2019
   26 Aug 2019

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   I’m so glad to see this. I must admit I was slightly turned off by this site after reading so many posts telling folks how difficult and ominous this first week is.
   
   “Hell Week!!??” We aren’t Navy Seals; we are ordinary people giving up an addiction. We don’t have to run 200 miles over a one-week period, nor are we dragged from our beds after being deprived of sleep and plunged into ice cold water without the aid of life vests. And if that isn’t enough to overwhelm us, approximately 75% of Navy Seals fail!  Tell me, where does this leave us? By insinuating that this is going to be the worst week ever, I believe we are making it far harder if not virtually impossible to believe in our ability to quit.
   
   What about, “I’m a Non-Smoker Week”, or “I’m Respecting my Life Week”, or “I’m Free Week”.
   
   Hell Week = grit your teeth, endure the torture, and maybe you’ll survive … maybe not
   
   I’m a Non-Smoker Week / I’m Respecting my Life Week / “I’m Free Week” = I can handle the nicotine withdrawal, and each craving that I allow to show up, will then move away if I don’t feed the addiction.  And if I don’t feed the addiction, I will no longer have the cravings.
   
   For me, those thoughts are truly empowering.
7. efram, quit coach

   

   235 posts
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   29 Nov 2017
   26 Aug 2019 in reply to justfortoday

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   I'm glad that you're feeling empowered, justfortoday. Thank you for sharing.
   
   I like what you said, putting quitting in terms of "ordinary people giving up an addiction." Quitting is something that anyone can do, not just the Navy Seals among us!
   
   Your suggestions are excellent too! Here's hoping that "I'm a Non-Smoker Week" turns into "I'm a Non-Smoker Month" and eventually "I'm a Non-Smoker, Period!"
   
8. wimporswim

   

   65 posts
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   29 Nov 2017
   29 Aug 2019 in reply to efram, quit coach

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   Efram,
   I have to go against the flow on the rebranding.  For many of us it was a very tough week and getting through 7 days without a puff after smoking our entire teen/adult life was an accomplishment we never thought we could achieve.  Making it through the 1st week, one craving at a time, we realized for the first time that quitting for good was a real possibility and it paved the way to continued success.  
   
   By no means am I comparing our efforts to the the actions of our brave soldiers in the military but quitting that 1st week can seem like hell. 
9. brieffree

   

   1477 posts
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   28 Nov 2017
   29 Aug 2019

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   Hi Efram
   
    For me was the first 2 weeks the harder ever to keep the quit! I can call it break free! Relationship, and confrontation with realty of the problem solving!
   The first week, I was feeling desperate, with no hope! Cero confidence in my self!
    Definitely: Break free! week, sounds ok to me.  
10. efram, quit coach

    

    235 posts
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    29 Nov 2017
    03 Sep 2019

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    Thanks for your input!
    
    Wimporswim, the realization that quitting was possible -- even after all those years -- ties in to the "Break-Free Week" theme. You had the guts to reach for a goal that you thought might be beyond your grasp, and you went for it!
    
    Brieffree, you had zero confidence in yourself but used your problem-solving skills and made it happen. "Necessity is the mother of invention," right?
    
    If someone wants it badly enough, they're going to find a way to break free no matter what the first week is called, and no matter what obstacles are in their path!!
    
    With respect to missy05, how about "Break-Free from Hell Week"?
    
11. wimporswim

    

    65 posts
    Registered:
    29 Nov 2017
    04 Sep 2019 in reply to efram, quit coach

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    Total respect for missy05!  and all of you who reach in deep to put smoking behind you.  When you "Break-Free from Hell Week"  you know that quitting is a real possibility.  Best to all.