21-Day Challenge

Well, I made it 21 days without picking my lower legs. I picked at a few other areas, mostly lightly. But the lower legs were the worst problem. I'm glad I did it, mainly to show myself that I CAN do it. I'm kind of shocked, actually. I guess now I go on to day 22? :)

Well done meg 1448 for completing the 21 day challenge! U can do it- Carry on being strong! Ive dun day 1! Lets all make sure we are free and well by 2011!! X

Ok, day 1...already at the mirror for 2 hours total today...not going so well...but atleast I was a little easier on my skin...could have been 4 hours :(

So glad to hear someone made it 21 days. I've only made it through 7 before - I'm now on 4. I had a few small slips, but have avoided temptation hundreds of times over the past few days. It's amazing how much it consumes my life. I've got to power through!!!

I really want to try this but I have the feeling that I'll fail... I've tried this before and I always make 'exceptions'. Like, for example, I'll see a small white head or something and tell myself it's ok if I just pick this one little thing, and then I end up picking at everything. So, to people who are on this challenge, are you allowing yourself any exceptions? Or are you just not going to pick at all? What if you got a zit? Will you just leave it? (the thought of that makes me shiver, I don't think I could leave it).

I know exacty what u mean emthestrange. But the whitehead wil go-as long as we look after skin and not make it worse. After 21 days our skin will look better-since we havent touchd it. I know its hard. X

so i feel a bit like a broken record but i'm new here and was about to write about my experience with skin picking as well. instead, suffice it to say i can relate to so much of what each of you has said and although i've never joined a forum like this for anything before, i hope it can be the support and motivation i need to make the same changes all of you are working towards as well. after a bad episode on sunday, i've been able to stop picking for the last 2 days so i really want to join this challenge and do it for 21 days. i'm just wondering, have any of you been successful going 21 days (and longer) and can you talk about "overcoming" CSP? thanks for your support & honesty!

as soon as i read this challenge i knew it was for me, this christmas my mum bought me at set of beautiful cath kidston post it's and as much as i loved the gift i didn't think i would ever use them as i am not the post it type, but now i realise i got these for this purpose so i can keep track of my new start of no picking! thank you

So, I've detected a pattern with my picking. I seem to be able to go 5 or so days without picking at all and very few urges, but as soon that 5th or 6th day comes around, I feel an uncontrollable need to pick and usually just go at it. I'm so tired of these ups and downs and was wondering if anyone else has this problem?

I started my own forum about this challenge 2 days ago that I will keep going with because its therapeutic but I couldn't pass up joining in on this one as well because there are so many other people involved. unfortunately, even though I started 2 days ago I have yet to be really successful because I allowed myself exceptions which I got carried away with and though did no damage I can't cheat myself and count it. hopefully tomorrow night I can write DAY 1.

Wow, it feels extremely reassuring to know that I'm not in this boat alone. I have a pretty gnarly case of Keratosis Pilaris (KP) that I've had all my life. I grew up with really bad acne that only went away after a rigorous 7 month Accutane program (after everything else in the book... seriously.) But with these problems have come a consistent problem with picking my skin all my life... a lifelong habit. I have researched ways to manage KP, but no ways to cure it (any more suggestions?) and it is the main cause of my picking habit. I've pinpointed some triggers such as stress, anxiety, boredom, thoughtlessness, just seeing the bumps, perfectionism, MIRRORS... etc. This problem of mine has not only affected me, but loved ones and potential job opportunities (performing arts) and it's about time to quit for good. I need my skin to heal... for me, first and foremost, but also to show gratitude for those I love who have supported me along the way. So, I'm new to this site and read this challenge just about exactly a week ago... and I said "Hell yes! I take this challenge!" And first time around, I made it a week. I picked today, day 7. So I start again tomorrow at day 1. New and fresh and stronger than before. I have to get rid of this habit. I look forward to reading previous posts over again after I post this to gain more insight on tips and tricks. I'm too stubborn to not let this happen - I have to meet this challenge face to face then put it to rest - I need to move on with my life. And I am grateful to have found this site for feedback and insight.

Well, on my third try I finally did make it to 21 days and my skin was looking pretty good. Then due to the time of month (my acne is largely hormonal) my skin broke-out and I picked again. I am under a lot of stress with a new job and my fiance and i got in an argument (which is always a trigger) and then i just picked. It seems this challenge is never ending... like they say in AA, you have to take it one day at a time and success means not picking today. So now I am back on the horse, starting over again... At least now I have the incentive of knowing that my skin really will respond to this and heal and that the longer I make it the better I will be able to feel about my skin. The added pressure here (and motivation) is that i am getting married in 6 months and would really really love to have clear skin and to feel beautiful on that day in front of everyone important in my life. I have definitely found that the bathroom, any bathroom, is the danger zone. The moment I see a bathroom mirror my mind goes blank and I am dawn to it in this sort of zombie state. I have found a few things that help: I only turn the lights on in the bathroom if i really have to (like when i am putting on make-up), I simply try to avert my eyes from the mirror so as not to be drawn in, and most importantly, right before i enter the bathroom i say a sort of affirmation to myself of my intention, such as" I am not going to touch my face, I am simply going to brush my teeth and then leave". This seems to help keep me conscious of my actions. So, here's to another 21 days! Salud!

this is day one for me, wish me luck guys! you all are an inspiration for me. :)