Online Test

Find out the severity of your symptoms with this free online test

Take the test
wildflower , 06 Apr 2010

Accomplishments

How about this topic for a place for anyone who is on a personal track to post where they are on it to let others know who's making headway to hopefully inspire others to begin a committed effort? --> eg. i'm on x days of no picking and what is helping me get by is xxxxx and xxxxx. ---> or oops, i picked today but forgive myself and will get back at it beginning now ---> or i'm venturing on a 21 day personal challenge ---> or something of that sort?
81 Answers
Add Comment
wildflower
April 13, 2010
wonderful that you've made it to day 3 !! it's the first days that are the absolute hardest. feel proud !! .... just do some talking sense to yourself about switching habits, that is swapping a bad habit with another bad habit. be nice, but be firm and loving and understanding, tho :) ... try to find a good habit instead?? .... now those white heads? they can be really really tempting for sure. never in my life did one last more than 10 seconds once i discovered one! but in my 48 days now, i have actually seen them come and go! i can't believe i've seen the cycle! but i have. and they do run their course. it can take longer than 2 weeks to do so, though, depending upon where they are located. ones on my chin and each cheek have gone now probably via my washcloth, but one on the outside of one of my nostrils is still there !!! i will admit it is making me a bit crazy and i have tried to coax it off with my wash cloth but the skin there is tooooo tender. i was amazed how stubborn they can be but they will be sloughed off when they're ready and with nary a bit of evidence they've been there !!! and no blood or pain !! so i encourage you to bite a bullet and talk yourself out of making war with them and waiting them out. i used an enzyme treatment on sunday and when i rinsed it off one that had been stubborn left town finally but maybe it was just a coincidence. maybe it was just its time. another left today but i still have a couple elsewhere. thank good ness they are small, and white not black !! hang in there !! you can do it !! it is possible. <3 <3 <3
violet
April 13, 2010
ok... i'm trying to just ride it out... it's just ridiculous how much i think about those 2 huge pimples on my face... you'd think i'd just be able to forget about them and go about my day! but i'm glad i'm not alone in this. i'm half way through day 4! yes! thanks for your encouragement, wildflower :)
cherrycolalola
April 14, 2010
Okay so Im going to try for 30 days. Today is day #1. Id be glad if anyone else wants to join me!
wildflower
April 15, 2010
I'm with you. my bad, i picked at the white head that was on the side of my nostril. what makes me crazy is when they hurt. this one started to hurt from my washcloth exfoliation and then i couldn't take it any longer and i just took the head off. i didn't do any further mining but i guess it still counts as picking even if it was only one. i have to come clean, so i will start with you on this 30 day challenge with today being day 1 and i'm doing good so far! :)
cherrycolalola
April 15, 2010
Great! So far so good for me too. I almost scratched at my back unconsciously today but stopped. I have to be honest, Im nervous about tonight.(sometimes I start to pick in a half-asleep state when my willpower isn't so strong). But Im keeping my fingers crossed. I think tomorrow I'll buy gloves. Good for you coming clean. I think we have to count those things, even if they are little, otherwise they add up. I'll check in tomorrow and update you on my progress. Congrats on day 1! Go us!! I know we can do it.
ready2Bdone
April 15, 2010
I'm working on day one starting now (right before I go to bed so I get 8 hours under my belt right off)! On Monday I decided that I wasn't going to wear foundation on my face anymore. I use it as an excuse to pick at night because I can just cover it up in the morning with makeup. So I suffered all day Monday, Tuesday and today. Honestly though, I think my face is clearing up. The question: is it because my makeup was causing me to break out or that I picked more knowing I could cover it up?...maybe a little of both. Also, I stopped drinking caffeine on Monday. Usually I drink my morning caffeine and begin picking with vigor. Caffeine causes me to have increased anxiety so I pick more. So I have been picking my face less...but have not completely stopped. Its progress not perfection with my addiction. Yea for Day One!
cherrycolalola
April 15, 2010
good for you! I think its both. Knowing I can cover it up definitely doesnt help me. I've realized I cant drink coffee either. I used to drink a tooon of it and it only increased my anxiety and picking. Not drinking it keeps me more balanced, less crashing and getting anxious. Im going to stay away from it today for sure. Woo hoo for day 2! So far Im still going. Oh, one tip for people with Iphones, try setting the stopwatch. If you pick you dont have to reset it even, you can "lap" yourself. Sometimes when I want to pick I look at the clock. Watching the seconds tick away is a good motivator :)
wildflower
April 16, 2010
day 3 for me, and so far so good. strength be with you, everyone that is on a challenge. may this be a pick free day for you. -----> for anyone thinking about how to begin being kind to your self rather than continuing on the self harming path, how about concentrating on not picking for just today and tell yourself that you'll allow yourself to pick tomorrow. then with a day of not picking under your belt, upon waking the next day make that same resolution, that you won't pick today but will allow yourself to pick tomorrow (and of course tomorrow never comes) and watch your skin slowly heal. it will if treated with love and kindness. it's not easy, but rewarding in time.
cherrycolalola
April 16, 2010
I am doing okay too. Havent picked, but I've definitely wanted to. Today is day 3. There is a scab right at the bottom corner of my lip that I really want to go at. I keep touching it and licking the corner with my tounge, so Im trying to stop doing that. I know its only a matter of time before I pick if I continue to feel it. Now that Im not picking Im having to face feelings I really dont want to, and because Im not used to coping its a lot to deal with. But the main thing is Im not picking. Im telling myself that no matter what I feel and what is going on, I just cant pick. Im expecting the next few weeks to be hard, but Im ready for the challenge. The support of the forum is the main thing getting me through right now. I was standing in the bathroom last night, looking in the mirror and fighting the urge to get closer to it, and I found myself thinking of all the people who post here. I thought how right at that moment chances were many of you were also standing in the mirror, fighting the same battle. I felt less alone once I realized this so thanks. I know we can do this together. I hope you are all having good days, and if not not I pray it gets better for you soon
wildflower
April 16, 2010
it's great that you're dealing with this so strongly !! and that you're feeling supported and not alone. it will get easier, although there'll still be tough times but i think you'll find once the scabs are gone a big hurdle will be behind you. hang in there !!
cherrycolalola
April 17, 2010
Thanks. Yeah there arent many scabs left actually. The biggest thing Im facing now actually is scarring. I got some sort of infection months ago. Its gone now, but has made its mark big time. Its depressing because even with the acne clearing I look f-ed up. My skin has potholes and is uneven and discolored. Im partially holding onto the idea of laser resurfacing,but thats a while off (if I do it at all). Im trying to make peace with it. Some days are better than others you know? Thank you for the support. Glad you made it through day 3 wildflower!
cherrycolalola
April 26, 2010
Okay so after a few days of relapse I have made it over 24 hours. My first instinct, ironically, is to say "big deal 24 hours is nothing", but I know that is just the diseased and negative thinking at work. So Im going to celebrate it. Yesterday I bought a little notebook to write down every time I pick or want to pick. There were a few times I caught myself "scanning" so I wrote down when and what I was doing when it started. Im trying to figure out what triggers it. Im also writing down how much time passes between each time I go to pick. So far I havent actually picked, just felt my skin, which Im trying to stop completely. Im trying to stay active and keep using the forum/all the tips I've learned so far. Ive heard many people say that if you dont stay active in recovery you will either get stagnant or backslide. After many relapses I know this is true. But if I (we) keep trying I know we can beat this. Every time I decide to recommit myself after relapse I see it as kicking this addictions ass. I just refuse to let it dominate the rest of my life. I want to get over it so I can be of greater service to others and have a better life. Anyway Im so grateful for everyone here. Your guys' strength and courage really keep me going.
allforyou
April 27, 2010
You go girl. Celebrate it up!!!!! I am on day 2 of the challenge ... and honestly ...................... to sit back and observe this urge to pick ... is insane. The urge is sooo strong. The journal is a great idea to keep you mindful and aware in this process. Keep me posted.... I am over here checking in fairly often .... this forum almost serves as a "compulsion" to ease the compulsion to pick my skin lol. Anyhow, I checked out this sight called "stoppickingonme.com" ... and i read the "stories" and "causes" section ........... it is insane how much i relate to all the stories and how fascinating the "causes" section is!!!!! ..... i don't know if you have already checked out that site ... but ... totally supportive and interesting, in my opinion at least. good luck the rest of the day!!!!! we got this.
wildflower
April 27, 2010
i read that book too and it is pretty wild with all the stories and information, isn't it? i recommend it too. did you register there? i'm wildflower there too. they have private messaging as well as the forum topics and journals.
allforyou
April 27, 2010
oh is there a book as well? i just was reading the "Stories" section on the website ... and the "causes" section. a lot of it really rings true for me. i just registered there today! okay i will look for you ... i am "allforyou" there as well.
wildflower
April 27, 2010
yes ... the book is accessed from the home page .... look at the bottom of the left hand field ... click on chapter one ... it is a bit easy to miss areas ... that is the links on the pages vs the links at the end of them and some of them don't work properly so the *back* key needs to be used ... but there's also the links in the margin ... ................ and let me know what you think of the site ... i'm curious ... and getting a bit outspoken in my old age ... *eek* ... i think the ability to keep a journal there is cool ... tho it isn't private ... except to people not registered with the site ... but that has its good points for sure ... i'm keeping one there to keep myself honest ... and don't mind if people contribute their thoughts to it ... they're good people ....
allforyou
April 28, 2010
okay cool.... i am just seeing this. i will check it out. hahaha ... outspoken can be liberating! especially if you have a sweet heart like you do :) ooohhh i like the idea of a journal about this for others to see ... "i'm keeping one there to keep myself honest" good idea...........alright i'm going to check it out today.... talk to ya later :)

Start your journey with SkinPick

Take control of your life and find freedom from skin picking through professional therapy and evidence-based behavioral techniques.

Start Now