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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?
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cherrycolalola
April 28, 2010
thanks allforyou! I use the forum as much as I can. Its one of the few things that really helps when Im feeling bad/want to pick. Im doing better. My skin even looks a bit better. Ive been getting more exercise lately and I think its helping my circulation/appearance. I have seen that site, its in my bookmarks haha. Thanks for reminding me though, I need to check it out again. I'll read the causes section asap. Yeah we do got this!!! I wish you the BEEESST luck today!!
wildflower
April 27, 2010
so true ... the insidiousness of this disorder ... i scan a lot too ... my fingers explore a lot too ... i aim to stop that in time as well but am thankful that i'm not acting out on my skin as much as i'm tempted to ... i just flick my nails backwards to address an itch now, and if i want to rub, will rub with a clenched hand ... there's less contamination on that part so it's better that way too ... so i'm changing the behaviours which is a step towards stopping them ... a baby step, but a step and these aren't doing damage which is the main thing ... i too keep coming here as part of my recovery fearing that if i don't i might allow myself to slide and i am enjoying my healed skin too much to let another sore happen ... it's great that you are being determined to get back on the proverbial horse and, as you say, refuse to let this dominate you. power to you !!
cherrycolalola
April 28, 2010
Ive been trying to do that too. I dont let my hands rest near my face at all anymore,especially at night. Sometimes I find my hand under my head or cheek when Im trying to go to sleep,and when I do I move it. Even though Im not picking I just try to take as many precautions to help myself as possible. I too like healed skin so much more. I've read some of your other posts about pampering youself/your skin, thank you for remind us all of the joy in that. When Im focused on healing (the solution not the problem) it really helps me mentally/reduces my picking. I was writing in my journal the other day and found myself staring back at block letters, I WILL NOT HURT MYSELF ANYMORE. Ive come to realize that is all Im doing when I pick....hurting myself. More power to you too!
wildflower
April 28, 2010
it's great to hear the determination and desire to change to change to do good rather than harm to yourself. it keeps me inspired too. at night, i keep the pillow between my face and my hands and rather like that position better. it puffs up the softness of the pillow against my face and yet my hands are in that similar and comforting position. keep up the great work!! ♥♥♥
wildflower
April 27, 2010
day 4 ... no picking ... lots of touchy-feely, but no picky :):):) it's possible !! i've a few small pimples/bumps that are tempting me but i won ... they didn't :):):) ... and my chin's healed and i'm going to keep it that way!
wildflower
April 28, 2010
i'm doing better today. i should make it through no problem. the times i feel urges are truly becoming fewer and fewer and the touches as well. i'm feeling less and less of a picker. i truly hope that everyone here gets to experience this soon. keep strong everyone. it's worth it. and most of all, i don't want you to be like me, 20 more years down the road and still with this disorder. get it nipped in the bud now while your skin is younger and more resilient. make it through the 40 days and see your skin in a healed state and then keep it that way. having been a hard nosed picker for more years than many of you have been alive, i want to show you that it can be beaten. it can become part of your history. you can do it. you have what it takes now and just need to get uber serious about it. i'm not really a good example because i could have done this years ago, and know it now. but i did not have the information you have now, nor did i have a community like this. the word wasn't out then, it is now. use the information. use the shared experiences. pull your inner strength to the forefront. ditch this bad habit. don't swap for a worse one tho !!!!! learn to be loving to yourself rather than self harming. healed skin feels great. no makeup feels great. no need for bandages feels great. getting ready for the day is quicker. getting ready for bed is quicker. bathroom stays are shorter. fewer products are necessary so it's more economical. there's much less concern in others' presence, it's empowering to feel you've overcome something huge. i know. i'm feeling it. and i know you can too if you truly want it badly. use all the tools available, be they necessary meds, therapy, diet, supplements, vitamins, journaling, challenging, 10 stepping, networking, awareness, bandages, prayer, meditation, yoga ... whatever it takes. make your plan. stick to it. beat it. and enjoy the freedom.
allforyou
April 28, 2010
wildflower, thank GOD for you. great to hear the urges get less and less ...............................................................................................................................................making it part of my history definitely sounds UHHMAAAAAAAZINGGGG..............hey, at least we are on our way, eh? healed skin feels great "NO MAKEUP FEELS GREAT" .....oh man oh man i can't wait!!!! getting ready for the day is quicker ... AMEN ....................... BATHROOM STAYS ARE SHORTER! ......oooooohhhhhhh i can't waiiiiiiiiiiiiit ................ i am going to make my plan now........... i need more structure in my life anyway ....... maybe ill wake up ... pray, do some pilates .... possibly journal ... then be on my merry way........we'll see....... thanks wildflower XOX
40daysfromnow
April 28, 2010
Today I'm on day ___? I forget! Sorry. I think it is over a week. I haven't been touching my skin at all. I have been using AHA cream everyday and my skin looks the best it has looked since middle school. I have been so good to my skin and thankfully, it shows. GIve your skin a week and you will see amazing results. I even went to a restaurant with NO makeup! I washed my face and got into my PJs when I was asked to go out to eat. I changed my clothes but went makeup free! It was awkward at first and I felt self conscious, but it is the first time in years that I have been in public without makeup. That part felt good. I have been using a post -it note on my mirror with reasons why I will not pick. eg. "Dinner with friends tomorrow", or "Swimming in 2 days", or "I want to wear no makeup tomorrow". Keep up the good work guys and gals! -Hugs-
tia
April 28, 2010
Ohhh that is really fantastic to hear. Im cringing at the thought of myself out with no makeup, but hopeful! Good for you hun! What a great acomplishment! You certainly should feel proud. Now for me to get through a week :D
tia
April 28, 2010
Ok back to day one. But I only slipped 2 times yesterday. And they were subconcious picks so im really happy with that. I know to anyone else that would mean nothing and sound odd, but i know you all understand. I also have not picked at my back in at least 36 hours. Which is HUGE!! Its funny cause i find myself wanting to share my excitement with my friends (who all have gorgeous skin by the way, I am the only person i know who still has the face of a hormonal teenager when im 30 in 2 months) but i havent told them. I dont think they would understand. Thats why i LOVE this site and look forward to reading all of your acomplishments and replies. I keep remembering this thing my aunty said to me when i stayed there, it was one of those moments that should have meant nothing but it has stayed with me for years. Her saying 'oh no you cant use my good pillow case, you will bleed all over it, you can use one of the old ones'. Yes not huge but it was such a big thing to me. I dont know why i shared that. But I feel all of your pain in hiding and it affecting your life. I hope i can help some others as i have been helped too. Im also hopeful that when I start applying for jobs my face wont be an issue now. ( i would get more nervous bout that than the actual interview).... now.... im ready!! hehe.
wildflower
April 29, 2010
i sure do understand the hugeness of your accomplishments ... "we" understand it. do keep sharing your accomplishments here and hopefully you can soon begin to share them with your friends. i'm sure they'll be very supportive and understanding when you do. if your acne is really active at the moment, perhaps this is the time to coincide medical treatment along with your behavioural changes. why not go see your dermatologist now and see what medical assistance you can get while you're at it? that was a horrible way for your aunt to treat you. it's understandable how you'd carry that hurt with you as long as you have. people can be so insensitive !!! and yes, the enthusiasm and hopefullness you're contributing to this site is helpful and inspiring to others. it's great to hear your excitedness !! keep it up !!! ☺
allforyou
April 28, 2010
mantra of the day ~ just stay busy and out of the mirror..... just stay busy and out of the mirror.... just stay busy and out of the mirror ....................... and everything will be A OKAY =) teeheehee
tia
April 29, 2010
Ok i picked once today :( But again for me thats HUGE. I felt really bad after i did it. And in my defence i did it subconciously. But im getting much better. I NEVER thought id be able to do this well. I pick mainly because i just enjoy the feeling. My fingers are definatly searching less, and the longer i leave it the less they have to find anyway. And oddly now im getting this under control i feel im more in control of other areas of my life. I am a bit addicted to food. I eat all the time just for the fun of it. But in the last few days i have been able to just say no and have been good. :D I also have not picked my back in 48 hours now!! Im SOO excited! I went into the bathroom as the itching had become pretty full on. I have had an alergic reation to the new bandages. I am covered in red welts and rash. haha. I took those ones off and put on the little hypoallergenic ones and ahhhhh it feels soo much better! My face is already SOOOO much clearer. Just in the 4 or so days i have tried to quit. Amazing how your body wants to heal when you give it a chance (haha funny that). Keep going everyone!! <3 I LOVE YOU GUYS :D i would NEVER have done this good on my own without any support or even just hearing your stories!
jenna90
April 29, 2010
'Amazing how your body wants to heal when you give it a chance (haha funny that)' - LOVE that. For some strange reason I had started to believe my body was the one with the problem and I was the one trying to heal it. haha - other way round. Thanks for that revelation :D WELL DONE by the way! You're inspiring. :)
tia
April 29, 2010
Aww thanks hun. You have really made my day! Yeah well i have spent YEARS and YEARS picking and not even connecting the fact that that is why my face has been so awful. I blamed it on 'acne' and wondered why NOTHING i tried, no pills or creams or washes helped. DER!!! Now i have stopped actively picking as soon as i feel a scab and going to town on it till im bleeding and sore, i can see i only have 1 or 2 small pimples that are easy treated with cream and can be covered when i go out. Not as easy to cover a massive big scab. Cause when you put concealer on those they look like massive pimples with white heads. I feel like im a new person this week. I am full of relevations haha. Im really glad i have helped you have one too hun. xx
wildflower
April 29, 2010
so sorry you had a reaction to the bandages. it really is a trial to find the ones that work best for your skin. latex is often the culprit. and it is sooooooo good to hear how you feel things are turning around for you!!!! and you sound so pumped !!! that is fabulous. and just think how good your skin is going to be toward the end of the challenge. i tell ya, you're going to feel phenomenal. mark my words!!

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