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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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meg1448
December 13, 2010
Picked briefly at my upper legs but that's not the area that I've sworn off picking so I'm going to dubiously (and stubbornly) declare day 5 complete. On to Day 6!
b1zz1ckness
December 10, 2010
Today is my day 1 (tonight) I want to show my legs and wear short sleeves. My fiance found my latest damage and the look on his face broke my heart. So day one! BRING IT ON! I'm so glad I've found this site and this forum and all of you people going through this too! People who understand and can offer support and not shame.
Jolene
December 11, 2010
I have been picking for a long time, about 8 years, but 6 months ago I got off of birth control pills and suddenly actually had acne (which I had really never had before). Since then the picking has gotten so much worse because there is actually something to pick and I am such a perfectionist I just cant stand it. I always think "this is the last one, if I just get this one then my skin will be clear". Of course I am fooling myself and just making it all way worse. I used to be very pretty, maybe still am, but between the picking scars and turning 30, I am feeling pretty hideous now. I am getting married next year and I would so love to feel beautiful again. It seems to me that this is about a sort of sick perfectionism, but also my default reaction to nearly everything is stress. And when I get stressed I start to pick without even realizing I'm doing it. I want to join in this challenge, but I have to admit I don't have a ton of faith in myself right now. This comment is the most publicly I have ever spoken about this, so maybe putting it out there like this will help me stick to it. I really appreciate hearing everyones experiences. Thank you. If I can make it through the 21 days then it will be New Years day, that seems like auspicious timing and it would feel really good to start the new year off the right way.
Jolene
December 12, 2010
Day 1 complete. I did have to quickly leave a clothing store where I almost got sucked in by the dressing room mirror, but I quickly left and resisted the temptation. On to day 2.
Jolene
December 15, 2010
4 days down, although yesterday I definitely teetered on the edge. I have a facial today, so I am hoping that will make my skin look better and make this a little easier for the coming week.

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