Dear Abby: How can I curb my habit of cursing?

A lifelong habit of cursing can be hard to shake, especially when it runs in the family. In a recent Dear Abby feature, one reader highlights a struggle that began in childhood—and now seeks a path toward more refined speech.

Key Takeaways:

  • A reader has written to Dear Abby, seeking advice on curbing cursing.
  • The habit has persisted for most of their life.
  • They were raised in a household where swearing was common.
  • The letter was published by Nj on November 28, 2025.
  • The question highlights the challenge of replacing a long-standing behavior.

The Reader’s Concern

“It’s been this way off and on most of my life,” the reader states, underscoring the deeply ingrained nature of profanity in their daily speech. Having reached out to the widely recognized advice column Dear Abby, they admit to finding it tough to break the cycle.

Raised in a Swearing Household

According to the letter, “I was raised in a household in which swearing was common.” This environment shaped the reader’s understanding of what constituted everyday language, influencing them from a young age.

The Ongoing Struggle

Over time, the habit has come and gone, but it remains an aspect of the reader’s communication that they wish to change. Seeking strategies to move past deeply set patterns highlights the personal challenge involved in unlearning old habits.

Turning to Dear Abby

The question appears in a Dear Abby column, a forum known for offering thoughtful, direct responses to personal dilemmas. While the full content of any advice given is not publicly available, the fact that the individual took the step to ask for support signals a readiness for change.

Looking Ahead

Even without immediate guidance from Dear Abby’s response, the reader’s plea points to a universal experience: the challenge of overcoming long-held practices. It also serves as a testament to how a supportive environment—or lack thereof—shapes our habits well into adulthood.

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