Hey Darlene – I moved away from my nicotine addiction 19 years ago. It was one of the most difficult things I’ve done in my life. I know it’s harder for some of us than for others. I don’t think there is any easy way. For me it was a matter of determining that I would do it, or literally die trying. That’s the level of resources it took. I did three things. First, was to use the patch system to stop smoking and deal with my nicotine addiction separately. It was harder coming off the patch than to stop cigarettes. Second was to use a visualization technique. I imagined myself on a beach standing in the surf. The waves were the cravings. All I had to do is stand in the surf and withstand the waves. Eventually the tide would go out, and it did. Third was to give myself healthy gifts. I began to exercise more, enjoy foods more and take pride in the way I felt. Do you know that if you go 5 years without smoking and don’t contract a smoking related illness, your odds of getting one are nearly the same as if you never smoked at all! Even if you’ve smoked 40 years! You may have tried all this, or may not have. In any case, what you are doing is literally a life and death choice. It is very difficult. My best wishes to you.

I believe this approach can apply to any sort of habit that someone might wish to kick to the curb.

Sit down with pen & paper, you have two assignments!

#1 – Take 10 minutes (or longer) and explore a Pro vs. Con list, be honest with yourself and write anything down that comes to mind. The goal of this is to analyze (after you’re done of course) keywords that you notice. Explore how these words make you feel. Becoming more aware of your feelings about the subject will allow you to make new decisions on how you want to respond to them in the future.

#2 – Calculate your current habit, evaluate how much money you would save per week, per month, per year. Then begin brainstorming for fun and amazing things you can look forward to in your future. Start small…maybe you’d like to save up and buy dinner for someone special in your life, a new gadget, a new item of clothing. You can also think bigger…would the money savings equal a plane or train ticket somewhere in a year or so? Plan a trip! The reward system worked when you were a child and it will work again : )

Life is a crazy game of balancing everything. If you remove a bad habit, you need to replace it with a good habit. Take 20 minutes a day to work on a new hobby…drawing, painting, ceramics, knitting, an instrument, outdoor or indoor activity…anything. Before you know it you’ll be really good at something new. Good luck !