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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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anonymous31894
January 16, 2011
day 2 yayy and my skin is looking clearer so as long as i keep reading what you guys have to say i might be able to stay motivated and keep this going. thanks all and good luck
gtilly19
January 17, 2011
ok - I am going to try the 21 day challenge. Today is DAY 1 January 17, 2011. My first day to a better me, beautiful skin, confident, and stress free.
lmswan9
January 19, 2011
OK- here goes. I'm about to be 40 and have been picking my face so long I can't remember when i started. i have a four-year-old child now, and i am terrified that if she keeps seeing me do this, that she is going to develop the same kind of terrible obssession. She already sees the spots I've picked to the point of being bloody on my face and asks if I got a "booboo" and if it hurts. I don't just use my fingernails though- I often use sharp tweezers and sometimes a safety pin- the obsession to "get it out" whatever it is- seems to overwhelm my rational judgement and common sense. Often it is a blackhead, or a whitehead, although I sometimes get larger, red bumps on my skin that seem to be swollen from deep inside. Those are the worst, as I seem to think that if I can just get deep enough under my skin, I'll get to whatever is under there and get it out. Of course, in the process, i wound myself severely and leave scars. 21 days, huh? I'm already starting day one with 2 scabs on my chin. Here goes nothing. Day 1.
gtilly19
January 19, 2011
Way to go! You have made the first step to healing yourself. I am on Day 3 today and reading your post inspired me to get through one more day. And that is all we can do, one day at a time. My story is very much like yours....I pick the red, swollen bumps on my face until I have created a bloody hole on my face, only to pick at it as it heals. As I said I am on Day 3 and just beginning my journey to healing my skin but most importantly, healing myself.
rachel_e
January 23, 2011
Today is day 5 for me. Theres a few small spots on my face which are very hard to resist, but rather than thinking that I need to get the gunk out from my pores I'm telling myself that i do not want to purposely break my skin. it may get rid of the spot, but will more than likely cause a scab which is just as unattractive. Spots and blemishes are natural, gouging at my skin is not.
gtilly19
January 23, 2011
Day 7 today and I am doing ok. It does seem to get easier but I think it's the daily rituals like putting post it notes on my bathroom mirrors numbering each day I succeed and tricks like limiting my time in the bathroom and of course reading & posting right here. I do get much encouragement from this forum. I have not picked in 7 days...I have not been able to say that in a very long time.
saving_grace42
January 24, 2011
Day 3: Progress in Tee-Shirts Today is Day 3 for me. The mornings have always been the hardest, when I am in my bathroom getting ready, I used to pick the most at my face and arms, my two problem areas for the last 5 years. Now my skin is healing, and my Day 2 was very difficult, the urge to pick and take every healing scab off was almost overwhelming. But by reading the post from rachel_e about seeing the improvement being a great motivator, I decided this evening, in the privacy and sanctuary of my own home, to wear a tee shirt and celebrate my progress. The scars are still visible but atleaste now there aren't any new open wounds, just healing ones. Tomorrow morning, my 22nd birthday, will be Day 4, and the greatest birthday present of all will be to make it through another day. ~Anne
gtilly19
January 25, 2011
Happy Birthday and good luck Anne. Keep at it...I am now on Day 8 and it does get easier but by no means is this easy....it just seems that way with all the help I get from friends, my wife, and this forum.
lifespan01
January 26, 2011
Also, I have an appointment today with a holistic dermatologist who people say is a miracle worker, so I am feeling hopeful about that. Someone on this forum said something about beginning to recognize the body language that proceeds a picking session.
saving_grace42
January 27, 2011
I agree that recognizing body language that proceeds picking has saved me quite a few times. For me, because my worst area is my arms, I try to be aware of where my hands are and where my arms are, like when I'm in the car I put my arms on either side of the seat instead of in my lap close to my arms which could lead to picking. Sitting at the table or wherever I've tried folding my hands together to keep from figetting..things like that. Good luck with the holistic dermatologist, I've been to quite a few regular doctors and they couldn't help me past the saying "don't do it", hopefully a slightly different approach will be more productive for you! ~Anne
Want2bfree
January 27, 2011
Hi Lifespan01, that holistic dermatologist sounds interesting. Where do you live? I don't know if there are any here in Melbourne. Can you tell me a little about what they do. Thanks
saving_grace42
January 27, 2011
Day 7 - Its gotten a little easier, not as hard to resist the picking, now its just comitting every day (sometimes every hour, or even every moment) to not fall back on the things that led me back to picking (noticing blemishes, acne, blackheads, etc...). I'm trying to find other things to occupy my mind, like reading a book, listening to music, playing with the necklace I wear now instead of picking. I really I hope I make it this time, I've stopped before and gone back, I just don't want to let myself down again. I agree with others when they say that this forum has helpped them, I read the posts here almost everyday, and along with everything else, it keeps me going. ~Anne
saving_grace42
January 28, 2011
Day 8 - Its been a trying day. Very stressful and hurtful in some ways. Some of the things that made me pick before happened today. I'm trying my best not to give in today. If I make it through today without picking and having to go back to Day 1 tomorrow I'll be very greatful. Heres to hoping, I knew I would get a test like this sometime! Cheers! ~Anne
rachel_e
January 28, 2011
A very stressful week resulted in me picking badly again. I'm starting again at day 1 tomorrow with renewed motivation. I have realised I need to be on this forum every day to keep motivated. I'm going through the posts reminding myself of all the tips I can use to help get me through each day. I got to day 5 on my previous attempt which is the longest I've gone without picking for as long as I can remember. Here's hoping this time I make it to 21 days and break this cycle!

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