After pulling out one, it is hard not to just keep going because it does feel like the whole day is ruined. I started writing how many hairs I pulled each day I wasn't PF on my sticker chart and that helped a lot. I also wrote if they were conscious or subconscious. Still difficult though...

Good idea manda. I've been noting how many pulled each day, and writing them in here. Ughh I've pulled about 15 today. I think 5 of those were subconscious.

Deep breaths..... I can do this.

I think I can I think I can I think I can.

Accidentally pulled 2 hairs this morning, just minutes after I resisted a hair and was being strong.

I need to work harder.

Keep strong, you can do this, you got it covered! Hugs, beautiful tresses!

Pulled a lot yesterday, maybe 20.

I am so determined to get a pull free day today! I really want one pull free day resulting from pure willpower. I know it's silly, I could get a pull free day if I put bandaids on my fingers. But I want that super achievement. Silly?

I would go for the bandaids...any hair that you don't pull is another hair you have, regardless of how you achieved that. And putting on bandaids is a form of willpower in itself - the willpower to say that you refuse to succumb to urges that might just lead to a downward spiral. Sometimes with trich, we can have all the willpower in the world, but it just comes down to the impulse control problem. Subconscious pulling is more of an awareness issue, not a willpower issue, in my opinion. Once you are aware, that is when willpower has to kick in. But, we just talked on my thread about how pride affects how people deal with trich in different ways...for me, it is refusing to buy Dermatch or something similar because I don't want to need it, even though I know it would make me feel more confident. Do what you are comfortable with and what will make you feel best about yourself - whether that is going barrier-free and pulling a bit or using barriers and pulling less.

You've said it well, Manda, willpower, impulse, and going with the comfortable...I need to remember that, too, cheers to everyone, and you've got this, confident, you do!

Hugs, hands down, and cheers!

Yeah, you're right Manda! Thanks :)

Thanks Mid.

Uh think I pulled about 10 yesterday. I'm still pulling nowhere near as much as I was previously. I'm tryying to be pf and these are mostly subconcious pulls.

I always feel like when I start seriously trying to be PF again after a few weeks of engaging in conscious pulling, I pull a lot subconsciously but it tapers off after awhile. Barriers seem to help break that cycle because then the subconscious pulling can't happen.

Ugh stop being so right, you're killing me! Ha. Yep it's true, and I've said it myself many times. So good to have reminders and others reinforcing these truths.

There's an app I just got called 'way of life' that I already love. With the free version you can add 3 new habits. With the unlimited version ($5.50ish) you can add as many habits as you like! It's really cool, each day for each habit you make the day red (failed) or green (succeeded). You can see the week view or month view. You can also write in a journal for each day. You can also skip days (blue). Eg if you're sick you might skip the day and excuse yourself from the pressure that day. It's great cos you can customise all the habits.

I have about 10 or more habits in there already! You can also choose if the habit is negative or positive. Eg you can track your alcohol consumption with the aims of reducing it, and track eating vegetables with the aim of eating them daily.

Of course one of my habits is "pull free". Another is "pulled 3 hairs or less".

Maybe you can decide to use barriers for a week or two to help break the unconscious pulling and work up to being pull free without barriers? Or gradually reduce the time you use barriers? Just a thought...

It's a good idea. I've done that before, and it works well. I need to buy some tape (on your advice I'll try that instead of bandaids).

I just use medical tape because it is cheaper and easier to replace frequently...works well for me, though!