It has been two months since I gave up alcohol and coffee. Today I don’t think of drinking neither one nor the other. The advantages of this decision for me are many: I feel more relaxed, I sleep better, I wake up earlier, and I also save extra money each month.
Another similar addiction I had a few years ago was smoking. I used to smoke ten to fifteen cigarettes a day. I’ve done this for a few years. Then, two years ago, I stopped. That was one the best decisions I ever did.
To quit these addictions, I didn’t do a 21 days habit challenge. I didn’t want to try. A challenge could either be a success or a failure. Instead I consciously decided that I wouldn’t do it anymore, I was tired of those addictions. Failure was not contemplated.
If you want to quit an addiction, you must cultivate a burning desire to change and visualize the benefits of doing it. If you can’t think of any benefits, don’t worry. More often than not our brain send us false signals to resist the change. It’s a sort of protection mode, but you know what you are doing. The truth is that there are many advantages awaiting for us.
The biggest obstacle you may encounter is the recurring temptation of old habits. Let me explain. If you smoke every day, you have the habit of holding smoke in your lungs. Many people when quit smoking are eating more because they feel empty, but I can assure you by experience that you can achieve the same effect by simply taking deep breaths. Try it. It’s important to remember that those temptations will not last too long, and your determination will win over them.
Another obstacle is the fear of judgment. What will other think if I will not drink alcohol anymore? The worst case scenario would be that they will laugh at you for a few days, but they will soon give up and accepts the change. The best is that they will ask you for advice on how they can do it as well. Don’t let other condition your thoughts. With time you will build a strong character and personality.
Think at how many addiction you have in your life. Make a list if you want and work on one element at time. Decide to change for the better. Take the time you need. That could be one of the best decisions of your life.
Posted on July 01 2009
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Congrats on your success!
> If you want to quit an addiction, you must cultivate a burning desire to change and visualize the benefits of doing it.
You nailed it. That really is the key. This idea is backed by research. The most powerful change agent is your own will, and there is a lot of truth to the adage, where there’s a will there’s a way.
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Thank you for your comment. I believe desire is the power to do everything.
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Congrats on giving up coffee. I’ve never been a bit alcohol drinker, but I used to have a HUGE sore spot for coffee. Giving it up was hard not because I was addicted to the caffeine or the way it made me feel, but rather I simply LOVED the taste of it. For a while I had switched to decaf, yet I knew that still wasn’t the best thing to be putting into my body. By the way, thanks Oscar for helping me last week get all my RSS stuff straightened out.
-Travis
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For me it was easier because I used to drink coffee and alcohol in small quantities and not every day. That said, I would not go back to the old habit.
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