So, you want to quit smoking? First of all, your chances of failing are greater if you are stopping the habit for the wrong reasons. Yes, there are wrong reasons to quit. Some of these reasons are from family pressure, (your kids were scared in school from the propaganda), or your friends are stopping, (and you know it's not as fun to be around them without that common thread of nicotine), your state is going tax crazy and targeting the smoker for more income, (and you're forced to buy the extra, cheap, generic version), or any number of other reasons. The truth of the matter is this - if you want to stop smoking, it is because you have had enough of smoking and are tired of the addiction and now want to stop.


When you have come to this point in your life, I have some tips that are not your usual, conventional ways. In fact, my tips are quite the opposite of the norm. These four simple steps I took, (of course after I was burned out with smoking), provided a strong base on which I could stand while ending my addiction to Nicotine.

1. Contrary to popular belief, I found the beginning of this procedure to be more effective if I didn't tell anyone I was quitting. My quitting smoking was something I was doing for myself and not anyone else, so I felt this was my business and therefore, something personal I did not wish to share. (Also, if you let others know, they will be watching your every move). I'm accountable to myself, not to anyone else.

2. Contrary to another popular belief, quitting cold turkey is not a good manner in which to kick the habit. Your body's nicotine receptors will be screaming loud and clear that they want what you have so suddenly taken away. You'll be fighting with the screaming and ranting that will be taking over your thoughts, and I guarantee, you will finally break down from the mental as well as physical pressure and start smoking again. So, don't try and act tough. Buy a box of nicotine gum, a nicotine patch, or any of the other stop smoking items on the market.

3. I'm contradicting the other popular belief about throwing your smokes away. Do you just want to set yourself up for failure? You know, as well as I, that if your body is craving a cigarette badly enough that you will either: dive into the garbage and retrieve that pack, (the ones that you didn't crumple up), or you will get into the car's ashtray, (or any ashtray for that matter), and smoke every last butt. So, do yourself a favor, and keep an unopened pack of smokes in your possession. This will not only relieve the anxiety you feel about not having your "friends" around, but will also give you the choice if you want to open that box or not.

By the way, I do agree with ridding your home, car, patio, bathroom, living room, bedroom, kitchen, or any other place you smoke, of ashtrays. Ashtrays, if not washed out, are just icky smelling. If they are nice, wash them out and fill the tray with potpourri, or if you are like I was, just throw the old soda cans away!

4. Lastly, replace the empty space where you used to hold the cigarette, with a bottle of water, a squeeze ball, or anything which fills that empty void.

Remember, it takes approximately three weeks to break a habit. So, keep chewing that gum, or whatever method you chose, (except cold turkey), to do something that you alone have chosen to discontinue.

Cheryl Hill began reading the tarot eighteen years ago. Now, Cheryl educates others in their life's travels by providing psychic tarot readings and teaching the tarot through a home study course.

Cheryl is an avid collector of tarot cards and antique metaphysical games and books. In addition to her enthusian for the tarot, Cheryl is also the author of two published novels, Family Tradition and Reverse Time, and just recently two ebooks for her tarot course.