How did you prepare for the change? How did you deal with those times when you normally would have a cigarette?
I didn't prepare as such because my decision to stop smoking was an impulse decision. Whenever I felt the urge to go and smoke I would do something nice for myself instead. These things included stuff like:
1. Going and washing my hands with some expensive, divinely-perfumed liquid soap. Sniff and enjoy hands that smell this way instead of reeking of stale tobacco.
2. Going to get a coffee. This was made special by the purchase of a lovely bone china mug with a turquoise cat on it. Decaf coffee as well - don't want to replace one drug with another! Put the hot mug of fresh coffee on a nice placemat again specially purchased.
3. Write an email to a friend that I hadn't contacted for a while. Nothing elaborate; just a "hello, how are you" type of thing.
4. Have a stick of sugar-free gum. Enjoy knowing that it's cleaning teeth and gums making them stronger and healthier instead of more stained and weakened. Breathe in the fresh mint flavour.
5. When at home, complete a tiny task in the garden and feel satisfied. Something small like pulling that weed that you keep looking at, or cleaning and drying the blades on the secateurs.
I could go on and on in this vein. The rule is that it should be reasonably quick, positive or productive (preferably both) and NOT a chore. Also try to avoid replacing one bad, harmful habit with another.