The Natural Art of Self Hypnosis
Self-hypnosis isn’t something exotic or far away it’s a natural art we all practice without realizing it. The words we use, the breath we take, and the thoughts we repeat all quietly shape the way we feel and the choices we make. I didn’t set out to become a hypnotherapist. What happened was much simpler: through experimenting with my own language, breath, and awareness, I stumbled into the art of self-hypnosis. And that discovery changed everything including how I left smoking and drinking behind with ease.
I started to really look at the word “addiction” when I was walking away from smoking and drinking. What I discovered is that the word addiction was made up along with the word “alcoholism” which wasn’t even invented until the 1960s. That realization was huge for me because it showed me the absolute power of being the author of my own words. Addiction is just a label, and while science can study behaviors and patterns, the word itself carries a weight we don’t have to accept. Once I removed the power from those words, I began to take back control with breath, awareness and taking control of my inner dialogue.
Breath became my baseline rule. Anytime I felt anxious, heavy, or caught in looping negative thoughts, I would stop and return to one long, slow breath. Over and over again, I used breath to interrupt the ego’s rhythm and open space for my higher, more compassionate self to step into my inner dialogue. The ego has a way of weaving thoughts into shame and fear but the subconscious listens to the words you use and the feelings behind them. That’s why reframing matters.
Instead of saying “I need to quit smoking/drinking,” which only kept me locked in failure and the image of cigarettes and late night cocktails, I practiced saying, “I’m leaving smoking/drinking behind.” I kept catching those old thoughts and redirecting them for years. What happened was profound: my subconscious learned that leaving these habits behind could actually feel easy, and it prepared me to walk away when I was ready.
After really committing to changing my language, I noticed something important: cutting back on smoking and drinking started to feel easier. I found myself walking past the liquor aisle without that same pull, and it felt good to see more money staying in my bank account. That awareness alone gave me momentum. From there, I became fascinated with the subconscious mind how it works, and how it’s always listening. I realized that hypnosis isn’t some far-off state, it happens naturally every night before we fall asleep and every morning as we wake up. Those transition moments reminded me of sunsets and sunrises, bursts of color the universe gives us as a reminder that we get two free chances every day to program ourselves with intention.
So I started using those windows deliberately. At night, I would visualize myself leaving smoking and drinking behind. I’d imagine myself smiling the next morning, already proud of the choice I’d made. One of my favorite personal cues came from the movie Last Holiday with Queen Latifah the scene where she melts into her hotel bed, savoring every detail with gratitude. That became my mental anchor: I’d picture myself waking up in that same energy, delighted and grateful to be alive. In the mornings, I’d congratulate myself for making it through another day and set the tone with loving thoughts. Over time, I noticed side effects: I remembered more of what I ate, the conversations I had, even small details of my day. Life no longer blurred by unconsciously. I was present for it.
Eventually, this rhythm carried me to a quiet breakthrough. I left smoking and alcohol behind with ease, without announcing it to anyone. That privacy mattered. By not telling others, I wasn’t chasing external validation. The real gratification came from the results themselves the freedom, the health, and the clarity that followed.
That’s how I came to understand the true power of self-hypnosis. It’s not about force or willpower it’s about knowing how to work with your own mind. Breath, language, and awareness became the cornerstones that changed my life. And now, I get to guide others into that same understanding showing how simple practices can rewire your subconscious, dissolve shame, and open space for authentic confidence.
If you’d like to experience this work firsthand, I invite you to my upcoming free online event: Mastering Self-Hypnosis on October 3rd at 7:00 p.m. (Zoom). In this guided journey, I’ll help you create your own subconscious sanctuary a place you can return to anytime to regulate stress, shift patterns, and connect with your highest self. Consider this your chance to discover just how powerful your own mind truly is.
