stop chewing my lips

I do it when I’m nervous or bored. I can go weeks without doing it at all, and then all of a sudden, I wanna chew and I go at it for days and totally destroy my lip. I’m there right now. I’ve had the flu for a few days and I guess I’ve just been bored. And my lips are suffering because of it. I decided to look it up online to see how many other people had the problem. Guess I’m not the only one. I’m going to quit. I look like an idiot or a small child when I go out and people are trying to talk to me and I’ve got my finger pushed up under my lower lip so I can chew better. Ugh. I’m way too old for this now. Gotta start showing some self-control.

that i still can’t stop

but important to admit that i’m having a major relapse. i chomped and chewed my way through every bar of rest during an entire performance of the nutcracker.

but still taking a nibble out here and there when i get nervous about a performance. can’t check this one off yet.

they’re almost healed up. wicked awesome! i can’t even dream of saying i’ve kicked this habit yet though. i’m in major recovery mode. i’m taking it out on the pavement. ran today without chewing with a friend who really pushed me to my limit. felt great bombing up that hill!!!

going surprisingly well. you could stick your tongue in my mouth and enjoy it at this point.

the warning sign is really the precursory lick-sweep. i find myself trawling for bits to bite, and then i go in for the nip. The first nip begets the second, the second the third, and on and on.

Day, what, 5? -I’m staying alive.

well the whole regimen of doing weird shit every time i want to bite my lips is a little tiresome, but WORKING (i press my tongue to my top teeth and breath deeply until i no longer want to bite). there are still tattered bits hangin off my cheeks by my lips, but the muy importante thing is that i’m not eating them. i know it’s gross, but i’m totally kicking this thing! i think…

and today i am catching myself every time i go to take a nibble. here’s what you do: press your tongue to your top teeth and take a huge relaxing breath in and out. keep breathing until the urge to bite passes. the hard thing is that now, on day 2, my lips are covered inside with little white pieces of skin just BEGGING me to raze them off in a gigantic chew fest. i won’t do it!!!

besides, i have a recital tonight and biting will make my lips swell and then it will be harder to play. the stress makes it even tougher not to chew!!!

wish me luck!

I’ve been chewing my cheeks and lips since I was a kid. I’m now in my late 40s. I want to stop. I’ve stopped drinking and smoking, but can’t stop this. How do you do it????