Overcoming the Habit of Swearing

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Ngày cập nhật gần nhất: 15/4/2026

Content

Using Alternatives

Fining for Swearing

Seeking Reminders from Someone Else

Speak Slower, Listen to Your Words

Release Stress, Frustration

Practice Patience and Self-Compassion

I used to swear casually, whether I was happy or angry, thinking it was okay, until my daughter started swearing too.

(Note: This article shares some ways for everyone to reduce swearing. If you think swearing doesn't harm anyone, you can skip this article).

For adults, swearing can sometimes serve a purpose, such as helping us bond because we share a similar conversational style - a parenting expert mentioned on the Well and Good website.

In reality, me and many friends often swear at each other when we're having fun. When I'm frustrated, like when teaching my child or encountering reckless drivers, I also let loose.

I accept that flaw in myself and see it as normal. However, when my young daughter starts using those words, I feel like things aren't okay.

Hearing my beloved daughter utter the 'M..' accompanied by an exclamation shocked me, but not unexpectedly. She's heard those words from me quite often, and she's even advised me against using them. Additionally, she could have picked up those words from her friends at school.

No matter how I justify it to myself, I don't think swearing is justified, especially in formal environments. I have many bad habits, but I believe swearing is something I can change, especially to set an example for my child. So I Googled some methods, and I'd like to share them with everyone.

Using Alternatives

This method came to me suddenly. I have a friend who is a doctor and often blurts out 'Oh my Buddha' (I'm not referring to religion here, folks, it's just something my friend says). It's used when teasing or even when praised. I think this method could be applied to swearing habits.

For example, we could use phrases like: Oh my goodness!, Oh my gosh!,… to express emotions in surprising situations, whether happy or angry. These phrases, when used frequently, can replace other swear words.

Today I managed to keep my mouth shut when a guy cut in front of me while driving. Instead of “…”, like before, I said: Oh my goodness!, what a reckless driver! Hehe

Fining for Swearing

While writing this article, I imposed an initial fine of 10,000 Vietnamese dong into the family fund for swearing. The entire family agreed that anyone who swears will be fined. I pioneered this rule knowing that I myself would contribute to the fund.

Seeking Reminders from Someone Else

According to Dr. Rosina McAlpine, you can ask a colleague at work to remind you whenever you slip up and say inappropriate things.

At home, you can also ask your parents, siblings, spouse, or partner to warn you whenever you speak out of habit.

Speak Slower, Listen to Your Words

Another expert, Robert Taibbi, LSCW, suggests that we slow down our conversations. This helps us control our words and avoid saying things we don't mean.

I also believe that when we're enthusiastic, uncontrolled words may slip out. Therefore, practicing 'living in the present' sounds strange but is also advice from some experts, meaning we observe our words and actively control them to avoid saying offensive things.

Release Stress, Frustration

When facing frustration or stress, people tend to swear. Both experts in this article advise releasing stress. Each individual has a different way of releasing stress, so find what works best for you.

For example, some methods include yoga, meditation, breathing exercises, or using tools to increase focus and reduce stress, ...

Furthermore, avoid putting yourself in situations prone to swearing, such as hanging out with a group that swears, or driving in tense situations. Or pay close attention to your words whenever you find yourself in that environment.

Practice Patience and Self-Compassion

Abandoning a habit is not easy. And we all make mistakes.

From a parenting perspective, experts suggest that parents admitting mistakes and seeking ways to rectify them teaches their children that it's okay to make mistakes, and they shouldn't be too hard on themselves. How we apologize and correct our mistakes also teaches children how to do so.

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