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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!
241 Answers
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JV
December 01, 2010
I started picking when my 18 year marriage was going downhill. My preferred picking place was my BUTT too!! I guess because it's the least looked at part of my body. Its still my preferred place, although I do my back, arms & legs too. I am SOOOO ashamed of myself. It's been about 6 yrs since I started & I have scars. I have a boyfriend that I have not let see or touch my butt for our 3 yr. relationship. I want help & I don't know what to do...it's very frustrating & depressing. I've tried cutting my fingernails short or taping my fingernails, but I can't seem to be consistent
rachele
November 21, 2010
iv'e been picking my fingers for years and i hate the way thay look . i have tryed many times to stop with no success . im embarrissed by them as they dont look nice and feel nice .At first i chewed my finger nails and then one day i just stopped and then moved on to my skin. I will normaly do this when im board or nervous and my partner is always tell me off i would love to stop. hopefully this time i will starting from NOW . good luck to everyone x
Technicolorgirl
November 22, 2010
I'm ready to take this on- I'm 25 and have been obsessively picking at my face as well as ingrowns on my arms and chest since I was around 12. I dont expect all the marks I've inflicted on myself to disappear completely, but I refuse to let this control my life and leave me hating myself and the way I look. I can't completely identify the triggers that lead me to a picking incident, but have had some success identifying the behavior as soon as it starts before I can do too much damage. Hopefully meditation, exercise, and even keeping up my new crafting habits will keep my mind quiet and my body occupied. I quit smoking cold turkey and I'm going to attempt this in the same way- one day at a time. Thanks for inspiring me (and everyone here) to take up the challenge.... Will post progress later. I'd love to hear if any of you have had success with meditation or your own personal anxiety-reduction techniques since I'll be taking this on without professional assistance... Thx!!
Technicolorgirl
November 28, 2010
Major progress! It's been about a week and I've become really adept at stopping myself when boredom/anxiety sets in and I get the urge to pick. I've had a couple minor slip-ups, (always in the bathroom at night before bed) but stopped myself early on before it was a full blown disaster. My boyfriend even commented on how much softer and smoother my arms seemed which seemed an appropriate time to tell him about this embarrassing neurosis of mine. Fortunately, he understood and told me he was proud of my decision to stop. I want to post again when I've gone a considerable length of time without an urge at all- it'll be a big step so who knows how long that'll be. Anyway, keep it up everyone- it gets a little easier every day.
rachele
November 22, 2010
day one.had to stop myself a few times only 20 more days to go
rachele
November 24, 2010
18 days to go another good day just hope the rest of the days will be as good hope everyone else is doing well
michaintoronto
November 25, 2010
I am Michelle and I had a very abusive childhood combined with food allergies that triggered the need to scratch. Found this forum today and so glad I am not alone. I am 42 years old in Toronto and just reading all of these posts is making me itchy. I love the idea of a 21 day challenge and logging each scratch. My body is totally covered and I am a single mom. My kids hate that i do this but i do believe it started with trying to be perfect and scratching off any blemishes. I am on Effexor but it has had no impact on my scratching or picking habits. I did see dermatologist a few years ago and she just said anxiety which was not useful as I do not want to go on more drugs! I would love to find a buddy in toronto area who can help keep me on track and I can do the same for. Thanks
rachele
November 25, 2010
day 4 my fingers are looking good and healther i feel very confident i can do this but we will see
weezlebee
November 26, 2010
Day five. Feeling confident but don't want to get too proud because we know that pride comes before a fall. So far so good. Looking good too!
lisa2324
December 01, 2010
I'm really going to do it this time :) BRING IT ON.
DIVAPICKER
December 02, 2010
DAY 1: I've been picking so long it don't make since. Don't know why. I tend to pick on my legs, arms and back. It really hurts but I don't stop...smh. very happy to have found this site tonite, thank you Jesus :) I'm ready for the challenge, anniversary coming up and I would love to wear one of the one shoulder dress. For just once I wann look sexy instead of cute. I'm 41 years old and for once in my life I'd love to hear my husband say I look sexy!! or hot!! i instead of cute.
DIVAPICKER
December 03, 2010
Day 2: I made it through the day with only picking 1 scab off. I'm so proud of myself.
no_more_yo
December 08, 2010
hey... well I just joined you all in this challenge. I must say that it helps to know that you guys/gals are also out there trying your best to stop, just like me. I have tried soooo many times before, and been pretty successful for a little while, only to start again. The picking has been really bad lately. My long-term (9 1/2 year) relationship recently ended and I think that has something to do with it. The scabs don't even have time to form before I'm at it again. Man... so I'm getting ready for bed here at the end of day one and my skin is so itchy and there's so much to pick that I'm ready to scream. I'm really glad I can just type this out instead! At this point, I just hope I can get to day 5 like some of you have written. I'll just have to keep coming back here every day for some reinforcement :)
meg1448
December 08, 2010
Don't know if I'm going to be able to do this but I'll certainly give it a shot. Day 1: Started at 3:15 am. I'll report back tomorrow to tell you all how I did. I'm so glad I found this forum.

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