How to stop swearing

LegacyUser

Since I've been a teen every 3rd word that comes out of my mouth is F. I picked it up from my father. In the last year or so I've been trying to stop but I'm finding it so hard. Initially I didn't even realise I did it but it was pointed out to me and I cringe now everytime it leaves my mouth and I feel so embarrased and awful.

I started a swear jar and had 200e in it by the end of 3 days

I just don't know what I can do to help me stop. Help!

Ah just try to keep an eye on it.. keep working on it and it will get to the stage where it isn't remarkable I suppose..I was the same..I think I've toned it down a good bit.. When I do use it now it's more effective too..it is awful though.. unbecoming.. (and, really, you should be able to control what comes out of your mouth..)

Nigzcurran

Who gets the swear jar money?

blairbear

I think that once a person is aware of it, they start to not like the sound of what they're saying and tone it down, but perhaps you should read more (less contemporary literature with fewer swear words) or make a really conscious effort to expand your vocabulary. I have an enormous aversion to swearing, but I wasn't always like that. I don't even write swear words anymore (again, another recommendation; don't even write them texts), but it took about 6 months 5 years ago to consciously decide never to swear and to fully stop it.

I bet you already manage not to swear in certain situations. It's alarming though; I'm a doctor and sometimes patients come into me (who are not in any great distress) and start effing and blinding as a matter of course. I always ask them not to and they're often very taken aback by that, like they can't believe anyone would object to it. It's just not acceptable in so many social interactions as an adult. You should definitely stick with your mission to stop!

Caranica

Swap out the words for other words, sometimes the more ridiculous the better eg shimmer, Felicity, sealion... Once you start making a conscious effort to say these instead it gradually becomes the default

zoobizoo

Speak slower.... Take your time speaking - and increase your vocab.

Instead of something being "effing great" "effing ****", see which other words you can use that are more descriptive.

When I travelled, I realised that I used to curse a lot - only realised it because no one else did. Then I lived in the UK where no one did so in an office environment... I started using "blooming" a lot. It's blooming brilliant. Even bloody was slightly frowned upon.

The greatest thing I did though was to slow down my delivery though - it allowed me to formulate words with intention.

afterglow

hi OP
I will never forget the day, I had to ' invent ' my own phrase to substitute f***
I was working in an office, in the uk, and said feck! Well, I was told, it wasn't appropriate, so I remembered, back home one of my friends used to say fudge, instead of the other f word, but fudge for me didn't really do it, and from that was born, fudge biscuits!
I find when I do stuff now, and would have ordinarily said f*** I always say fudge biscuits now, or certainly, I do when I'm in cumpany, or public. Its unconscious now, but its been a few years
you will get there. I agree with other people, the more ridiculous and nonsensical the phrase, sometimes, the better. when I started saying fudge biscuits, everyone laughed at me. People still do, and once, a friend from that place I worked at, bought me some chocolate fudge caramel biscuit type things, because of me always saying it :cool:
I wish you the best of luck, even the fact you are conscious, and posting here, is massive, so give yourself massive Kudos for that

con___manx1

I say for flip sake instead of **** in work

ILoveYourVibes

Just don't speak before thinking.

Bob Harris

ILoveYourVibes wrote: »

Just don't speak before thinking.

Genius!

LimeFruitGum

I use Frick instead of f*ck, and either sugar or poodles instead of sh1te
people still know what you mean, but appreciate that you’re trying to be appropriate.