I haven't been doing well in the last week or so, due to a new project I've decided to work on in my life. Childhood trauma issues and discovering that I am still effected by controlling behaviors in my parents. I thought it would be a good idea to work out the kinks Now since they are still alive and I have to deal with them as an adult. It has turned into an obsessive backsliding of emotions that up until yesterday I realized that I've stopped exercising, have been craving junk food, and been pulling without hesitation. I've let the emotions win and I forgot to take EXTRA care of myself through this process. Now back to Today…I've decided that I need to take breaks, find things that bring me Joy and Relaxation while I go through this project.
I have to seek all the things that I would normally do day to day and practice the Awareness techniques that are so important in recovery.
One day at a time….

Nabby, I had the same type of experience with my thoughts and difficult situation. You're doing great! Keep up the excellent work! That nod to help us be positive is working!

Oof.. Those awful ruminating negative thoughts. That sounds very difficult but good on you for working through it. I too often forget to take extra care of myself during tough times. We definitely need extra care when we are feeling stress, sadness, grief, anger..

And yes awareness is sooo important. And it's so easily to drop this tool and forget to pick it up again for a while.

Yes do those things that bring you joy and relaxation, and yes, one day at a time :)

Doing better...Thanks you two!

My latest obsession...when I feel the need to pull is it a Crawly Feeling or is it purely Habitual to Replace an Emotional Feeling? I've stopped myself a few times now by thinking about this. AWARENESS, awareness, awareness...I have found that I am replacing an emotional need rather than a crawly feeling or compulsion to pull..Hmmmm very interesting indeed...

A new experiment?
Hugs

Interesting indeed!! I desire the sound/feeling/visual of the pull, because this is a "good" thing while I'm feeling a bad emotion (feeling inadequate, lazy, bored).

Awareness indeed. I'm going to have to focus more on this.

Habitual pulling…Now to focus on changing old comfort spots too! Changing your routine is a good idea so you have to adjust being in another part of the house. I've been trying out being in other rooms besides the usual comfort zones in which I'm used to pulling in. Wow, what a difference a change has been!!
Because most of us are creatures of habit, we fall into patterns we don't think about daily…just routine day to day…Have you ever focused on changing up your day to day or even hour by hour? This way of thinking forces your brain to see things differently, you have to pay more attention and slow down for example if you use your opposite hand to brush your teeth or hair- Try feeling for the perfect hair with your non-pulling hand…feels very strange.
Anything to slow the process down…here's to saving a few more hairs…Hugs..

Good idea :) Tell us how it goes!

I've been pretty calm all day on the 3rd, since I exercised in the morning and when I wanted sugar reached for an apple or small piece of dark chocolate. I tend to do better than wolfing down on flour-sugar-fat sweet combinations. I think when I do combinations it gets me all wired and more apt to pull. Even through it tastes wonderful the combos aren't worth the pull risk!
The rest of the day I spent around others so no time for sneaking a few hairs if I felt tension…I just kept busy so far so good.

Ah calm is lovely! And happy busy is great :)

It seems like no one is coming to the group? Everyone is comfortable with the Beating Trich group I guess. I hope more will join...

Did well all day 5th, 6th....Nice to be busy with fun things and not idle habitually pulling,

Yes I wonder if maybe it will just take a while. I'll keep adding stuff because I believe it's a valuable group. I don't expect the active members of beating trich to use this group, but there's about 450 members of that group that ARENT active that I thought might. The general trich board is always super quiet so I think it's a matter of constantly advertising this group on that board and the people looking for something will find us when they come looking.

Great :) That sounds lovely. Ahh nice patches are so.. Nice.

Taking a break/vacation. Happy times.

Yay! :)

Nabby, I've been away from computer due to shingles. I'm so proud of you, I recognized the feelings you mentioned, and that's so important, to know the differences.

I can vouch for the fact that changing your comfort zone (I now use the other bathroom more often) is a big plus in helping to break the pattern.

Best wishes with this!

I agree, fun things keep you smiling, laughing, and hands in other places!

I noticed you left the trichotillomania forum, Nabby. Hope to at least see you here on this forum. I finally came back again after a very long absence. You were always a great support to me and so sorry to not find you here or on the other forum :( Hope you are doing ok ?