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bottervliegie , 20 Sep 2010

21-Day Challenge

Hi everyone! I hate how I feel about myself and I hate how my skin looks when all I really want is smooth and beautiful skin. I figure that we've got this absolute desire to be beautiful and have perfect skin while spots, blackheads, coarse cuticles, ingrown hairs, etc. is not welcome on beautiful skin. So, a combination of this perfectionism, impulse and, well, addiction, makes us scar ourselves and also hate ourselves for doing so. .................................................................................................................................................... Now, here's my challenge: You've probably heard that it takes 21 days to combat and quit a bad habit. I am going to try and do it with skin picking. I have posted post-its on all my mirrors and usual picking spots in the house with just "DAY 1" to remind me of what I am up against. I will change this daily, but if I falter, I have to start back at day 1. .................................................................................................................................................... I really want to change my life and be free of this and I am going to take the bull by the horns... WHO'S WITH ME?? I will post my progress on this topic and I encourage you to do the same, starting with today as DAY 1!
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MAD-am
September 27, 2010
I can relate to your post as im doing this challenge because i want to go out on the 23rd oct and not have to worry about hiding my skin. i too have managed to resist a full blown picking binge but have had a few spots that i really couldnt leave alone, i didnt dig at them like i would usually i just pressed them once and then forced myself to leave them alone to heal on their own. i dont know if should start all over again for doing that or i should just give myself the benefit of the doubt just this once. the way i see it is ive been picking for 11+ years its unrealistic for me to trust myself to completely resist every blemish i see, im not going to beat myself up and start all over again for squeezing a couple of kp bumps i would lose interest and self belief if i did that. if i cave in and binge on more than 5 bumps then its day 1 again. dont be too hard on yourself, its true they will heal better on their own but we all understand how hard it is to just stop completely. hang in there everyone !!!!
patpernet
September 29, 2010
I have had this ailment for as long as I can remember. I really like this idea of a 21 day challenge. Today is not day one for me. I do have one recommendation that helps me realize that I am going to pick. I bought several pairs of lightweight cotton gloves (ebay - used for covering your hands after putting lotion on). If I have them on I cannot damage my skin any further. I have managed to go 24-48 hours without picking but I always fail to continue. I think this group will be a huge help. Only two people know I do this. I was seeing a psych doc and told her in several visits and showed her what I was doing to myself and she blew it off. I have a new doc I am seeing for the first time on the 13th and recognizing this disease is what will tell me if I will continue seeing her. There are NO therapists on the list in the state of Oregon where I live. :( Good luck fellow sufferers.
bottervliegie
September 29, 2010
DAY 9: The weirdest thing happened today: I never wanted to pick! I never even tought about it during the day! I don't know why, but I just didn't feel the need. My theory is that writing down everything that I feel, things I could never have said out loud before, is helping me let go of whatever I am clinging on to so closely. My deepest, darkest secret is out, my pain and burden is shared and my shoulders are lighter. It may have just been a fluke, but I really hope it lasts!
patpernet
September 29, 2010
Tonight has been hell. Since I already acknowledged that Day 1 is a bust... I was unable to resist picking ALL of the scabs off my boobs and butt. It was like I was subconsciously thinking that the day was already blown... make the best of the opportunity. I hope the next 24 hours will be a success. I wish I could wrap my body in plastic wrap so I can't touch it. I keep putting the gloves on and then, when I have to take them off to do something, if I don't put them back on I start my bad habit. FORTUNATELY... I have a wonderful supportive husband. He loves me scars or no scars. He is concerned about me, not my scars. I am glad I am not in the dating world or working world where I would have to wear long sleeves and pants or long skirts to hide my shame...
Sbell3
September 30, 2010
Botervliegie, great that you reached 9 days allready! WoW! I'm starting over again, after day 7. Day 2 and 3 I allowed myself to ONLY get rid of the dead skin hanging from my face..but as you know.. one thing leads to another and well lets say day 4,5,6 and today, 7, my face looks awful. But my, my face looked great after day 2! From now on, I'm not going to touch my face, also no dead skin! Good luck everyone!
cherrycolalola
September 30, 2010
Hey Sbell Im in the same boat. It started with dead skin, but has moved on to a few episodes. Im just super stressed. Im starting school again and its bringing up a lot of feelings/anxiety. I've been out of school for a while, but when I did go I did the worst of my picking(this was in high school). I feel myself getting more anxious and picking more and its scary to me because those years were hell. I don't want to go back to picking and failing at school. Anyway this transition is going to be difficult. I am hoping I can move through it and not resort back to picking to relieve the stress. Anyway I'm starting over with you :)
igby
October 01, 2010
'have to go back to Day 1 again. What I've learned in the past week: checking in w this forum helps whether good day or bad day, keeping my spinner ring on helps -- got into trouble after misplacing it for 2 days (!), have recommitted to more daily exercise and am wearing a pedometer to motivate me, and last but not least -- The less I look at myself when washing up or putting on skincare products the better. I'm back on board and glad to be back!
breathe
October 01, 2010
Just finished day 1. I have had slight urges but I was motivated enough to avoid picking today. I am starting with a 3 day challenge, and if that works I will try your 21 day challenge. I have picked since I was in high school and I'm 28 now. It has gotten worse lately and I have been picking more areas more viciously, so I feel it's time to make a change. I hope this discussion continues--it really helps to hear that other people are going through the same thing, as corny as that sounds.
MAD-am
October 01, 2010
oh dear its day 1 for me, i binge picked my arms last night. i think it happened because i went out for a drink and alcohol stops my medication from working properly. i know for certain this is why i picked because i binge picked before when i had a drink. at least i know what happened this time so i can avoid it in the future. im trying a 23 day challenge as from today. as im going out on the 23rd
bottervliegie
October 01, 2010
Okay, I'm back to Day 1. I've got a hold on my active picking, but the unconscious picking is still a problem, which is why I'm in trouble! I caught myself picking and biting my cuticles (not disfiguring at all, but it's still an offence) as well as biting peeling skin on my lips. Also, scratching my scalp is a problem. So now, a fresh start after 11 days and now I'm going to do it right! I'm not discouraged, I actually feel like I've learned a lot during the past 11 days and that I have a better chance of getting to day 21 this time around. Good luck to you too!
ataraxia
October 02, 2010
after 5 days (and it worked quite well) I have to start today again.. started while car driving.. what really helps me, silly oder not: i have some wool in my pockets.. when i realize that i´m starting to pick, i put out the wool and knot.
ashamed83
October 02, 2010
K, here goes. I am going to try to do this. Day 1. God help me.
sarahde
October 03, 2010
yay, we are starting on the same day. WE CAN DO THIS. fuck this obsessive ritual that we both know makes us feel angry, frusturated, irritated, sad, alone, and embarrassed. I can't even tell you how many things would have been so, so, so much better if my skin had been normal. A friends wedding, a party, a date, just hanging out with friends.. It always makes it so much worse if I'm feeling self consicous. So, I feel for you, trust me. And would love to beat this thing once and for all, especially with someone who understands. I know we, and anyone else who does it is going to feel soooo much relief after 21 days. Every single one of us would be so incredibly happy, I just know it.
The Marshall
October 02, 2010
Hi - been hovering foor ages. Started the 21 day challenge 10 days ago and still going strong. I am a finger picker to the eztreme. Partner now very helpful as she realises that it is a problem. I have taken to use a light nail file on my fingers once a day to soften the skin and encourage growth. It is working for me as it is kind of a substitute for picking. My fingers look great so I am really hoping I can continue and prove I cab kick the habit i have had for 20 + years Good luck everyone
sarahde
October 03, 2010
Okay, setting a goal sometimes works for me. But I'm going to try it thanks to this post. I have been picking at my face, chest, back, and arms since I was about 12 or so and now I'm 20. Spending yet another Friday night alone, hiding. *sigh* Wishing the best to you all.
chinup_cheerup
October 05, 2010
I am new to this. Not new to picking, new to this "sharing that I pick" thing. I have kept quiet about it and just let it get worse over the years. I have done this for maybe 10 years, but it has gotten really bad in the past 5 or 6. I pick at my face until it is red and painful and, a few years ago, started picking at my chest, arms and back. I consider myself to be very attractive, but I punish myself for some reason by ruining my skin. So, tomorrow will be Day 1 for me. After tonight's picking "session" I broke down in tears and became desperate for help. I found this sight. I am not glad that other people suffer from this, but I am glad to know I am not alone.
turnedthecorner
October 06, 2010
We are in the same boat... I just found this site last night. I started the 21 day challenge thing today. I'm happy to report no picking! I started cognitive behavior therapy in July, and that's really helping me. I can't stress that enough. I understand how you feel. I think having support is the best thing we can do to keep ourselves strong since none of us like revealing our secret. Be good to yourself:)
breathe
October 05, 2010
Yay! I have made it to day 5 with no picking. Several cool things have happened. My skin is healing and looking better already. A few big gross annoying scabs on my scalp are now gone (I did allow myself to gently rub off scabs that were just barely hanging on, but usually i get a finger full of blood when I pick them off and this time, no blood or fluid!). I feel more confident talking to people during the day since I am not thinking about how they are thinking about how gross my skin looks. Of course, I still have lots of dark spots and some active lesions but I am on the right track. Good luck to everyone out there! We just have to realize that we are worth taking care of.
bottervliegie
October 05, 2010
Great! Isn't it amazing how you can actually see the results when you stop picking? I'm at my second day 4 now and keeping my hands off. I don't have any breakouts at all anymore (this is after 15 days of initially starting the challenge), but the blackheads doesn't go away on their own. Does anyone have a solution to blackheads other than squeezing??? I'm ready to try anything!
Elsie.Beckmann
October 12, 2010
Hi! I I totally understand the urge to get at the pesky blackheads and have caught myself spending hours trying to squeeze them out. My best remedy thus far has actually been a mask from Origins. It has active charcoal in it, and literally dries the little time suckers up. It takes a couple of weeks to get the full benefit, but i have been using it on my nose and chin for the last few months, and I am virtually black head free. Here is a link http://www.origins.com/templates/products/sp_nonshaded.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CATEGORY5812&PRODUCT_ID=PROD5689 good luck.

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