Getting into a mindset of seeing myself as a non-smoker - that'll be tough, but I can see how it would affect your viewpoint. Going to try that.
It boils down to why you are trying to quit.
It is a fashionable time of year to stop smoking, but 90% of people will fail because they are trying to quit because it is the done thing, not because they want to.
I advise cold turkey, then fight each and every craving with every fibre of your being. They usually only last seconds and if you can be strong for those few seconds at a time, you will not smoke. Every time you get a craving, stop and look around and think about why. Then try to avoid that situation in future, if possible. That is easier to do with some things than others but it does help to try and avoid situations where you normally smoke or may become tempted to smoke. I did my best to avoid activities and situations where I used to smoke. It helps more than you think. I know others that have used chewing on tooth picks as a way to take their mind of it. Yet another decided to quit during a bad chest infection where each drag made him feel awful. By the time it cleared up he was on the road to quitting.
Learning to say no is also important. Your social circle should hopefully support you in your attempts to quit but you do form different views on those people who are always trying to talk you back into smoking (theres usually at least one!).
E-cigs are just a cleaner way to sate your addiction so if you can live without them I recommend doing so. But everyone is different and you should do what works for you at the end of the day.
I went cold turkey and have not touched a cigarette in over 4 years. I don't even crave them any more. I had failed to quit a few times, but this last time it was like a switch in my body flicked over and I was done. Really weird, but I am thankful for it
