When wanting to make a significant change like quitting tobacco, it is common to become overwhelmed, and see it as an insurmountable task. You may feel that it is hard to even know where to begin, and so you perceive it as simply unattainable. When we are unable to see just HOW to do something, it is easy to feel like it cannot be accomplished. And so, we set it on the back burner, where it remains.
Sometimes, to get unstuck, it may help to approach things in a different way.
For a moment, set aside the question of “HOW to quit tobacco;” and instead, allow yourself to focus on “how your life will be more of how YOU want it to be” once this change has been made. This is your WHY. So, just what are the big and small things that will be different for you once you quit tobacco?
Here are examples of the types of things I have heard from patients:
- I will feel better.
- I will have more money.
- I will enjoy that freeing feeling of knowing that I no longer use tobacco.
- I will have so much more time to do other things.
- I will have more time to spend with my family/friends.
- I will no longer need to worry about how to “escape” social situations to use tobacco.
- I will no longer feel guilty or ashamed about my tobacco use.
- I will feel great being a good role model for my children.
- I will have less conflict with my spouse/partner.
The list could go on and on…
I encourage you to take the time to identify how your life will be more of how you would like it to be once you have made this change. Consider not only how this change will directly and immediately impact your life; but also, the little ripples that will occur across your life because of this change.
Frequently, once we have a clear sense of our WHY for quitting tobacco, the options for HOW to do it will begin to emerge for us as well.
Tim Milbrandt, MS, LMFT
Addictions Coordinator /CTTS