How to Quit Swearing, Spitting and Speaking in Slang

Whatever behaviour you are trying to quit, the trick is to be absolutely consistent in your program. Anytime you "let up" on yourself, you will set yourself back to square one -- like a quitting smoker who has "just one puff," you can overturn weeks of work in just one day.

Be patient with yourself, but once you start your program of change, keep at it!

Things You'll Need

• paper towel or Kleenex
• (optional) jar to hold coins

Instructions

1. Let's start with swearing and slang. You can work on these at the same time, using the same method, because they are basically the same problem: using words that come to you naturally, but which you want to avoid or replace with more appropriate/acceptable ones.

   First, you will need to identify precisely which words or phrases you want to weed out. I suggest writing a list, although you might be better off to code it -- sh##, for example, rather than spelling out the whole word! Put this list in your purse, wallet, or jacket pocket.

   This step helps you to focus sufficiently on the words or phrases so that you will be more likely to notice them quickly when you do use them.

2. The next step is to wait for yourself to use them. If you can catch yourself before you actually say the word, then great! Keep it up, and your problem is solved!

   Otherwise, use the steps below to wean yourself from the offending words.

3. 1. Catch yourself AFTER you have said the word, and say an acceptable word OUT LOUD immediately after. For example, if you said the sh## word mentioned above, you need to immediately say something else, such as "sugar," "shame," or the ever-popular "shoot".

4. 2. Soon you will find that you catch yourself before you have actually even finished the offending word. At this point, you need to begin using the substitute word (such as "shoot") IN PLACE OF the one you want to avoid.

5. 3. Once that becomes a habit for you, you can either be satisfied and just continue using the substitute word(s), or repeat the process, this time using SILENCE in place of the substitute word until you have eliminated the habit of cursing at all.

6. An alternative method that seems to work for some people is to keep a "Swear Jar." Everytime you swear, you have to put a quarter into the jar. Obviously, if you have tons of money you will need to increase the amount you put in - it is supposed to hurt a little!

   What happens to the money? Be careful with this - you don't want to end up giving YOURSELF the money, or you are just rewarding your swearing! Maybe give it to charity, or use it for something that you definitely don't want to be forking out money for.

   If you give it to your spouse or kids, you may find that you are accidentally reducing their support of your NOT swearing, since your stopping will mean an end to the money for them!

   I don't recommend the Swear Jar, for this reason. But, it does seem to work for many people, so try it if you like it.

7. As for spitting, this is more of a physical method. Stuff your pockets with paper towel or Kleenex. This gives you your focus, so you will remember to notice your spitting, as well as your clean-up method!

   Whenever you spit, take out a paper towel and clean it up. Even if you spit on the grass, take that paper towel out, wipe the area, and dispose of the paper towel properly.

   It won't take long before your energy-preservation systems kick in and remind you to just not bother spitting. It takes much less energy to wait for an appropriate place to clear phlegm, than to have to go clean it up.

   If you have to spit - such as if you get a bug in your mouth - try to use a Kleenex or paper towel to spit into. If there are none available, look for the nearest roadside drain and spit carefully into it.

Tips & Warnings

• In many cities, spitting in a public place can get you a fine.

• In some countries, swearing in public can get you thrown into jail!