Just an update to let everyone know I am having to start all over. My husband and daughter went camping this weekend and even though I was busy with chores and trying to get ready for my daughter's birthday party for Sunday, I managed a pocket of time where I pulled in front of watching tv. Darn it, no finger barriers either. I knew better too. I didn't pull them all out. However early this morning I woke up at 3:00am and had almost a pull-free day Sunday but managed to pull more while laying in bed trying to figure out why I couldn't sleep. Finger Barriers are just sooo important for me to constantly have on. I guess I get too lax and then I slip up.

Pull-free
brows- day 2
lashes- day 1

It does make me feel terrific that I was able to go 20 days of being pull-free. This time I will beat the record!

Great attitude!! Sorry you fell off the wagon, but way to go getting right back up there and learning from your mistakes!! ((HUGS))

I am having a difficult time getting back on the wagon. It is my time of the month so I know that must have something to do with it. I can go one, maybe two days but haven't managed to get back on the winning streak. Does anyone have this problem and what has helped you?

Those dreaded horomones....ugh. I guess the best thing to help is barriers or punching the wall....lol.

I think I could use a punching bag with all that is happening in my life with my husband's job loss. Yesterday I made it pull-free and got my sticker. I always feel good about myself when I can make it. Yes, hormones are dreadful. Men have it so much better at times.

So true, I hate what hormones do to us. Could it be that a natural supplement could help with your hormones? Not sure how old you are, but you might want to look into herbal supplements, they have really helped me, when I'm disciplined in taking them. : ) It has to be very tough with your husband having lost his job? What industry is he in? Does he actively pursue work each day? I know guys find their whole identity in their work. Be his biggest chearleader if you can. His pride is hurt and his heart is weary. I know you know this, but when you're in the middle of something like this, sometimes we lose perspective. There are thankfully so many great sites out there now that can send him daily emails with jobs he can apply to, no matter what industry he's in. I did alot of this for my husband because he just hates doing all of that and it really paid off. Get a pillow and punch the heck out of it when you need to!!!! As hard as it is, try and find some "me" time in there and get re-charged yourself. Sorry things are so tough right now, I hope it all turns around as soon as possible!! (((HUGEHUGS)))

Great advice about supplements. A good inexpensive one is GLA.
I know money is an issue when people are out of work so it's harder to eat all the fresh organic vegetables and fruits they say we need to keep our energy up.

You can get right back in there and be pull free again, you proved that with 20 days!
You can do it !

Thanks Shebepo,
I completed day 2 for brows/lashes. I haven't had any urges so it's interesting to me why some days are worse than others. I know foods and hormones play a big part. My husband's birthday is on April 4th. I would like to have a 30 day goal of no-pulling to give him as part of his birthday gift.

I am so angry with myself. Last night I was so tired I just crashed to bed and didn't take the time to put my bandaides on which were in a new box in the bathroom. Around 3:00 I woke up and couldn't go back to sleep and that's when the picking started. Lashes all gone. Why does this always seem to happen. I try really hard and start seeing results that take weeks and then in 1 or 2 min. it is all ruined. Just needed to vent. Brows are still doing okay. No major pulling with them.

starting over

Vent away. Sorry about your lashes. Good thing is that you were able to not go after the brows.

Hey your Hubby will have fun activities for his B-day. He can color and hunt for Easter eggs. *s*.

Thanks Crzychick. Yes, he will have fun on his birthday. I will make the best ice-cream cake for it.

Why does it seem with Trich, that we are constantly starting over and over and over again????

It has been a little over a year ago since I have written in my discussion. It actually took a while to find it on the sight. I didn't know if I should start a new one but finally found it just now. It has been an incredibly stressful year. My father died unexpectantly with heart problems which left my mom alone. She has beginning stages of Alzheimers and was in the middle of a research program for an experimental drug at UMUC in Charleston and I had to take over the trips to take her. My mom lives about an hour away and from her house UMUC is 4 hours so we would stay overnight and all total the trip would be about 10 hours. This would be every 6 weeks. My mom, daughter and I would go alone and I felt so responsible and tense on these trips. Road trips make me nervous. All this does not help my pulling. Finally around Christmas these trips ended since the program ended too. What a relief. I am my mom's legal medical representative and need to take over with her care when she no longer is able. My brother who lives 8 hours away is her legal finacial representative. We are not close but I do share in the medical side to keep him informed. I am her only relative that lives close by even though we are an hour away. My life has not been the same. I also have a 7th grader that I have been homeschooling since 4th grade. This I love to do. I used to be a former classroom teacher and love being able to help her learn and handpick curriculum that is tailored made for her. It's fun for me. With her being in middle school, academics and social activities are increasing which keeps me really busy. During all this time, my husband was unemployed for 6 months and then found a job for half his pay that he had for a year before "the dream job" came along. He loves it and the depressing mood in our house has lifted. I am at a more peaceful and calm point in my life and want to get back to writing and focusing on me. My husband feels I do better with my trich with the supportive help I get from all of you. I can be more honest and accountable. He's good at listening, but has no answers. I guess none of us really do but it feels good to know others are out there like me. This is a disorder that I have had now for almost 30 years and at this point I have no lashes and a few brows. Thank you all for letting me vent. I hope to keep on top of my discussion writings better. I learn so much from others and their struggles.

2 days- pull-free lashes
2 days pull-free brows

Hi, it’s nice to meet you. I’m sorry for the loss of your dad. It sounds like you had a rough year, but it’s good that you’re taking time for yourself again.
When I found this site, my ‘trich’life changed as well. I wasn’t able to stop pulling and picking either, but this group gave me so much confident.

2 days is a great start :) you can do this!

Thank you lientje. It's nice to meet you also. Trich is one minute at a time. For me, I can't even say, one day at a time.