Thanks so much for your post! Hm are you a No Doubt fan? I wonder if that (return of Saturn) is what one of their albums is named after.

I feel bad saying this but it does make me feel better! Not that I"m happy you're struggling a bit too but that it happens to other people. You hardly ever hear about it.. At least I don't.

Thanks again for your support, yes I am under stress. The family drama is endless! I look after my mother, (though thankfully I'm not her carer and I don't live with her) so there are other issues aside from her heart. Must breathe!

Hi Sam, just checking in on you seeing how you are doing. Keep the strength, fight the fight xxx

Thanks Mrs K :) Means a lot! x

I'm doing ok. A lot has happened in the past year. I'm a little all over the place but there's a few really good things happening too.

I hope you are feeling better. Thinking of you...Hugs.

Thanks Nabby, you're sweet.

I'm doing ok. Really have difficulty remaining pf without my bandaids. I don't NEED them but I guess I kind of do. I put them on just now, it's the evening and I've pulled maybe 20-30 today.

Got a sticker yesterday though! The first one in maybe a week or more. Was very proud. Aimed to put my bandaids on today but just didn't. And I KNEW that I needed to cos I"m sick and I pull more when I'm sick. Self soothing and all that shite.

Hang in there! You can do this! So proud of you for the sticker!

The bandaids are necessary because they provide the actual physical barrier to promote change in pattern.

Do what you need to do to feel better, and know you are not alone.

Hugs!

Thanks so much Mid :) Aw!

You're right. I just hate that I need them. But there's no shame in needing barriers, must try to convince myself of that.

Today I took my bandaids off in the morning, and said to myself, if I pull one hair, I'll put some more on straight away. Pulled a hair, subconsciously, and put bandiads on straight away. YAY ME!! Look at that willpower.

2 stickers in a row!

Pf so far today, it's 2pm. I've resisted about 5-6 times.

If I pull a hair, I'll put my bandaids on.

Smiley stickers btw, I get those when I pull 1-3 hairs.

So sorry to hear about your mom. I hope she is doing ok.

I totally agree about journaling...it is so helpful for me. I make lists too, but journals help me more....I write in mine at least twice a week, sometimes a lot more. Helps me sort out my thoughts, and it is good to be able to look back on your own thought processes.

Keep using those band aids! You'll eventually get strong enough that you won't even need barriers all the time, but use them for as long as they are useful!! We have to do whatever we can to fight the urge! Great job getting those stickers :)

Bandaids are necessary, and I agree with manda about using them, and journal is what keeps me moving forward through the urges.

Hugs, stickers, and inspiration, will look for the product you mentioned, it sounds terrific, as I need something on the hair to make it harder to pull easily.

I'm such a list-o-maniac, I have lists of my lists. Do you have an iPhone??? There is this marvelous app called "Reminders"..... Anyhow, listing like mad right now, just to keep my head on straight. I have a lot do do to make sure Mum will be okay before I go home in 2 weeks. Sorry to hear about your Mum. I wish her well. You have very broad shoulders, my dear.

Yes, I am still trying to figure out my career life path, and I'm not too many years away from 'retirement age" Maybe you will always be switching it up, and have a very interesting life, or maybe you will find something that clicks, and be a real success at it, and have a very interesting life. It is all good.

Barriers are good. We love barriers. When I'm not typing, I'm sitting on my left hand, or wearing my baseball cap (but my mother does keep asking about that). Last night, I kept knitting a scarf, which I knew really wasn't working, just to keep my hands busy.

Do what you need to do. HUGS!!!!!

I looked up that ap Phoebe, maybe it's not available in aus. :( There seemed to be many similar ones though, I tried out one but I dont have ios5 because I never update. I gave up after that.

Oh you must be so busy right now. Forms and forms and but I sent that form and oh you need send another form then call then another form. Does your mum have anyone up there near her?

I guess what I'm worried about is building the best "net" possible. Not just doing what I love but having a plan? But I guess even the best laid plans..

Barriers for the win! 3 stickers in a row, and 4 this week. If I get 4 more stickers I get a little reward. Now this is what I'm bad at, rewards. Hmm I feel like if I had good rewards, I'd try harder.

Thanks manda :) You're right, after a while I won't need them so much. Hmm yes, I did buy I nice book specifically for journaling about a year ago. Still have it. Empty.

Thanks mid!! You must both be onto something. Oh and yes do try that product, it's great. I use it for lip balm, burns, mosquito bites, dry hands. Anything!