Depending upon your age many people who smoke began at a time when smoking was being heavily marketed as a way to be cool, fit in, and be an adult with the freedom that's implied. Hook, line, and sinker people bought it, bought their product, and started on the path of being a smoker. Then years later the rules changed and smokers were seen as outcasts, addicted, and judged for their behavior. The clients I see for smoking cessation almost unanimously say they feel a sense shame for continuing to smoke.
So what do you do when the rules change on you?
Here are 3 of my top tips I'd like to share with you and they apply to any so called "bad" habit you might have:
- Stop taking it personally by judging yourself. You smoke...okay. Being a smoker doesn't make you a second class citizen; it doesn't mean you're bad, flawed or imperfect. You have a behavior that doesn't enhance your health or well being. People might feel the right to comment on it. BUT HERE'S THE REAL QUESTION: What do you want to do about it? If you stay in judgment of yourself your shame will get in your way of being able to make any changes large or small.
- As Albert Einstein said: "Insanity: is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." In other words, if what you have been doing hasn't been successful, you need to do something else! You haven't yet found what works for you.
- Underneath this behavior and any other "bad" habit you can think of are the emotions that do not feel good. The behavior is actually a way to distract yourself from feeling bad even when you're not consciously aware of it. I've seen this countless times over the 14 years I've been in practice as a Board Certified Hypnotist. Since it's in the subconscious people don't know and think it's all about nicotine and will power and it is not! This is what makes hypnosis a valuable and powerful tool to make that change when you're ready to!
Then now's the time for you to schedule your complimentary telephone Hypnosis Discovery Session! It's only one click away and you do it online scheduling at a time that's convenient for you. I look forward to speaking with you soon!
Beth