Thanks peeps. Blarg. Really going to need barriers in the next few days. Stress on top of stress plus getting sick.

Make that stress work for you, it sucks when it makes you get sick...sigh, I feel for you, keep them barriers going, and zapping away the stress! Hugs!

Try to find small things to look forward to despite the stress, and stick with the barriers! You can do it!

keep it up! sending hugs your way :)

I polished my nails a couple of weeks ago, with one of those 4-sided buffers. You have to be careful, because you can actually sand your nails down, but it used prudently, only do the first 3 steps once a month, and then lightly buff every few days, it gives your nails a nice sheen, and a nice smooth surface to stroke when you need to replace an urge to pull.

Thanks Mid, Manda and Jesden :) Very much

HM interesting tip Phoebe.

I was reading for a couple of hrs this morning about trich. Mindfulness, positive self talk, Amino Acid therapy, diet.. I think I really need to do a complete overhaul.

I'm really struggling right now.

Ugh must try not to be defeatist. I can do this. I need to make one day, then 3 days, then 7 days. I can do this through positive affirmations, reminding myself why I want to be pull free, exercising, and eating well. I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this I can do this!

Oh, and barriers. I HATE WEARING THEM!

YOU CAN DO IT! Getting past that first day is the hardest part - 24 hours of extreme vigilance and constant barriers and it will only get easier! Small goals. Hourly goals, if you need it.

To go along with your ideas about diet - I made some pretty minor changes to my diet and it has helped my trich a huge amount, which was not even my goal of the diet change. Just cutting back on sugar made a big difference...just something to think about!

YOU CAN DO IT!

Aw thanks Manda! I for sure know cutting back on sugar will help. I definitely don't have much, but there's definitely a lit of times where I just go nuts in one day. That's bad.

Howdy...
Yes, I believe in self management- establishing goals is the first step. Writing them down helps me to keep focused. You can always change them or re work them because life constantly changes and so do goals and priorities. Also, while it's natural to have more than one goal at any time, too many goals- or conflicting or competing goals- is certain to lead to frustration and distress. So be very selective and keep each goal in its proper perspective.
Control starts with planning bringing the future into the present so you can do something about it now. I like to make a To-Do list daily. Then I make a point to do something every day towards these goals. It takes my mind completely off trich and before I know it I've been busy all day and not pulled one single hair or even gave a thought to it.
I know you can do this-

I agree with everything you said. I use evernote to manage my various to do lusts, and I have a daily one. Though lately I've been overloading it and then doing nothing. Bad bad. Manageable chunks is the only way!

I'm so determined for today to be pf. I want it so badly. My plan is awareness, hands down, and barriers (especially from afternoon til I go to bed, the danger zone!)

Ha to do *lists

- awareness
- motivation (think of no self consciousness while swimming and compliments on my hair again)
- reducing overstimulation - seeing therapist, exercise, calming thoughts
- replacements - umm I have nothing as a replacement today.
- surf - will breathe through those urges and try surfing
- barriers - got bandaids in my purse

Oof, well I lacked the commitment to achieve my goal. I wasn't committed enough to wear my bandaids (purely they are an inconvenience, they get so dirty, gross! Plus awkward and embarrassing.)

I pulled 2 hairs, unconsciously. However I've been pull free since say, 2pm. Sooo, I'm almost 2 hrs in. Cool, lets see if I can make it to 2pm tomorrow. I do love the idea of starting a pull free in the middle of the day, because sleep breaks it up.