stop biting my nails for good

I went through a really stressful period and still left my nails alone. People say that it’s related to anxiety, and for me this seems to be true. It’s more a symptom of a bigger problem than a problem in and of itself. I focus on improving myself in other ways and the urge to bite my nails fades. I won’t worry about it anymore.

Pretty nails for four months and still going strong. Go me!

I’ve relapsed. I doubt that I’ll ever stop for good—at least not anytime soon. For one thing, I’m not motivated to stop. Another reason is that, face it, it’s not the worst habit a person can have.

I might give it another try this semester, but when the going gets rough, these nails may be going.

I think if I really looked into it, I might find a way to quit. As far as I know, there is no nicorette for nail-biters. Then again, you can’t bite your nails and chew gum at the same time…

Hmm…

If I mess up, I’ll open it up again. It’s very possible—after all I’ve stopped for longer than this and still returned to it. Good luck to me!

I chewed the heck out of ONE fingernail, but the rest are gorgeous. Sorry pointer finger!

Haven’t messed up in weeks! Not even tempted. I’ve been keeping them pretty short, nicely filed and usually with clear nail polish.

...but I’m back on the wagon!

At least I left the other eight alone. They’re growing in again and I’m using clear polish to remind me not to do it. A minor setback, hardly worth mentioning! ;)

My nails are growing in nicely. I’m not very tempted to chew them—yet. I just think of particular people I know with pretty nails and ask myself why mine shouldn’t look just as good or better. So far it works. Haven’t even had to put on any nail polish yet. I am tired of it, so let’s see if I will keep up the good work.

...of course the key words are “for good.” I have stopped for long stretches (months—almost a year), and I must admit that when I start again it’s usually because of stress. I really choose to start again, even if it only takes two seconds for me to make the choice. It’s not like it happens by accident. I am learning what triggers me to start and stop, for example, a broken nail. Then I think, ‘well, it’s broken anyway.’ And once one nail looks bad, I think, ‘oh well,’ and there go the other nine.

I am confident that if I stop for a long enough time, I won’t feel like doing it anymore. I don’t get much satisfaction from anymore it unless I am extremely stressed. Even then, if I can distract myself long enough, the urge goes away. The key is to keep them pretty looking so it’s less appealing to bite them and also if you mess up, don’t be too discouraged, just start (meaning stop) again. There are far worse habits.