Thanks booyah :) Yeah it sucks :( Pretty much all my stuff on there was backed up, thankfully. And Im insured so I'll probably get a new one in a day or two. Am using a tablet at the moment which can make calls, which is great.

Wow Phoebe, what an introduction! That must have been awful thinking you were the only one for so long.

Thanks Lien :) Its just one of those rare easy times. When I lost my phone and I was trying to get it back and calling my phone company and the police and etc, my hand was constantly in my hair and forraging.. Good idea about reading up about mindfulness first.

Zero pulling yesterday. No forraging. Its times like these I wonder why it was so hard for me just 2 months ago. Blech.

Feeling crappy about myself today and I have done barely any self care. No surprise therefore that my urges were up, and I did a bit of forraging. I must exercise and meditate tomorrow, and do something productive.

Zero pulling today. Im aware that more days like today could trigger a relapse, so I need to be proactive about this and not ignore the signs. I know what I need to do.

I get in that mindset too after being PF awhile....like, "why was this ever difficult?!" Trich is so weird...

Exercise and meditation are the best! What sort of meditation do you do? I fall asleep too often during any kind of meditation, but I've been reading about various kinds lately and trying to find something that I can do daily.

Ditto C and ditto Amanda - I can identify with both of you. For me, it's like fragility and being rock solid characterize two different selves that don't speak to one another. It's like we have to leave notes for ourselves about "what do to if..." bec when we need those notes, our minds aren't clear. And, it's hard to understand the dissociation when you are in one frame of mind - the self-talk can make the other self vaporize or seem like a stranger. Anyhow, yes, be proactive! You know that you are prone to an unwelcome guest. So, get the house in order so that you can manage things or simply keep the door bolted shut!

Some preventatives that I am sure you know and may even use (but just putting the cyber type out there for me too):

Fish oil (I am a believer that among other things, the blood thinning helps prevent "hot spots" from forming - I have less hurty styes and irritated spots that might trigger a self-attack when I take fish oil.)
SLEEP
doing a hobby (new or old - keep fingies busy with something fun!)
exercise (you said it first!)
massage (<----I NEED ONE VERY SOON!!!! My last one reminded me how important touch is and how it functions so well to fill a void; note that despite being happily married, I HAVE TO PAY FOR A MASSAGE! Argh! Paying is so much easier than begging my husband to give me a massage!)

Sounds like you are very in control and connected to the lurking danger! Deep breath. We got your back :)

Thanks you two!

Manda, I generally do sktting motivation, either focusing on my breath, or an image that makes me feel happy, warm and content (eg me sitting on the grass in the sun by the river). Have you tried walking meditation before? Google it for info.

Stroodleblooms, thanks very much for the tips! :)

Im booking a haircut tomorrow for next week, aaaargh! SCARY. I have a large area of short hair on the top left side of my crown, and another decent sized patch of short ish hair at the back left bottom of my crown. And a couple other small areas of short hair. Oof. The worst is obviously the large patch on the top left side of my crown. I have a fun combover. It looks ok, albeit a little thin, when its dry and ive combed a section of hair over it. But when that section of hair is lifted up and its wet, ugh. Oh well. I can be thankful for no bald areas.

Check these out! http://store.trich.org/mobile/Product.aspx?ProductCode=t-picklebandage

Bandaids that look like pickles! How fun.

Enchanted unicorn ones!!! http://store.trich.org/mobile/Product.aspx?ProductCode=t-unibndge

I havent cried about damage to my hair in so long. No no, I'm not crying now! I think thats its great that damage to my hair doesnt make me so ridiculously upset sny more. I remember when I was young I used to look in the mirror and see the damage and cry tears of regret, upset and rage. Id be so mad at myself, so devastated at what I'd done. Poor young me. I feel very sad for her, and compassionate towards her. She just wanted to stop. Her mother kept telling her to stop. She thought she could just stop. I want to give her a hug. I've come so far. Im so proud of myself for educating myself about trich, seeking support, constantly trying, and remaining positive (mostly).

Warm hug to the little you!!!! Strong high five to the all grown up you!!! Little you is smiling now and is in awe of what's she's become; she is so proud.

Aww thanks :) She needs lots of hugs. Im trying to imagine little me being proud of big me.

"Add the magical healing power of the unicorn to your trich toolbox."

There are so many things that I love about that sentence.

Yaaay haircut appointment!! How exciting!!

We should all give our younger selves a big healing hug. Our younger selves deserve it.

Ha me too. I really need to set up little trich kits on my desk, by the tv, in my bedroom, in the car and in my handbag. They'll each contain some or all of this stuff: tangles/toys (there are so many I want!), play doh/silly putty, hand cream, a fine tooth comb, little notebook for drawing, some laminated cards with helpful info and quotes on them, a head scarf, bandaids, gloves.

Haircut, I just cant wait til its over. My hair looks bad wet. I know its not my fault but its still embarrassing.

Your hair will look so much better after a haircut, so just try to focus on that!

Trich kits sound like a great idea. I keep saying I need to remember to carry band aids and fiddle toys at all times, but I am really inconsistent about actually doing it.