Commitment!

Posted January 19th, 2012 by toomuchpressure
I keep reading about everyone who is making these commitments and you know, I really want to make one too! I feel like maybe if I post daily about how i'm doing, it will keep me motivated to keep doing better! I will start right now, but officially begin day 1 tomorrow of my week long commitment. If I can get through a week...I can get through longer! As of today, I have done alright...Only picked a few minor spots. I am home alone tonight making it harder, but I am going to do it! I have to promise to myself that there will be no more tonight! Wish me luck!! :)
‹ my girlfriend is obsessed with picking my skin! help! Day 11 no pick ›
On March 15th, 2012 Basta said:
Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!! :)
On March 10th, 2012 toomuchpressure said:
day 25. so i actually did pop that zip BUT it was the only one! it was hard because i was at a friends house and of course she has mirrors posted everywhere which i can't help but i did successfully get out alive! yay! I feel good about it and today I'm not wearing hardly any makeup. I am deff having withdrawals and all i want to do is feel my skin and look at my face and it is horrible! but i am making it through!! So good stuff! the one thing that is so hard to manage is my eating...its so hard to take care of myself as a whole person at once. That is my goal at the moment...to manage my whole person and not just one aspect of it!
On March 10th, 2012 toomuchpressure said:
day 24 today was great! i scratched a little but caught myself AND I am a proud owner of a fully developed zit on my forehead...its my goal to let it heal naturally! hooray! i did however learn something about this whole process. I eat when i am not picking. if you have been reading you know that i am trying my best to be a conscious healthy eater and to exercise and treat my body well. When i am not picking i binge eat! just because! its horrible. so now I'm really working on total self control wish me luck. Im scared you know, because i have been doing well with my picking. i really don't want to have a session :/ wish me luck!
On March 15th, 2012 Basta said:
I did notice the same. When I don't pick I want to eat all the time. My psyche is trying to cope with the anxiety... The thing is that when we stop doing something that has some function (for example picking is "calming") we need to find a constructive substitute for it. And do the substitute until it becomes normal. It's simply some connections in the brain which have to be weakened and other connections strengthened instead. I am glad to see your improvement! Good look!
On March 8th, 2012 toomuchpressure said:
day 23! totally ready to be positive about today. I got this new face wash that is actually clearing my skin and I'm loving it! its like neutrogena stress wash or something lol... I feel more confident with myself when i am strong and i resist the urges. I know I can fight this. and when I do, i hope to help others cope and fight it as well :) I wish each and every one of you a special good luck. I believe in you. God believes in you. We are a special people and we have this so we can be stronger :)
On March 8th, 2012 toomuchpressure said:
day 22 hooray i resisted urges today! still fighting getting back on track with living a mentally, physically, and emotionally healthy lifestyle...I AM trying to get back...but I NEED to try harder. Need some more understanding... watch demi lovato's STAY STRONG...i cried pretty much the whole time..she gets it. its the same thing we are going through! Watch it. its beautiful and of course very cheesy documentary, but well done! i think i might go to college for rehab services...i think it would be so beautiful. just a random thought
On March 7th, 2012 toomuchpressure said:
day 21! new day...skin looking better :)
On March 6th, 2012 toomuchpressure said:
day 20...NO PICK DAY! I'm getting back on track with my diet and exercise plan! and also my picking plan...i need to stick with it...its hard but i can do it!! I'm buying some pants from my work on friday and I'm getting them a size smaller so i can be motivated to fit in them! hope it works!! I also noticed that when we do nice things for ourselves...we feel better about the way we look and therefore not want to pick anymore! it helps! do it, shave your legs, get a tan...dye your hair, get a manicure!!
On March 5th, 2012 toomuchpressure said:
day 19 continued. I did laundry again and was caught by the mirror...luckily it was only a small pick session. Going to do a calamine "treatment" I'm at a really rough spot in my life right now...im applying to colleges the second time around..it is really hard and taking a toll on me emotionally. Im trying to stay strong.
On March 4th, 2012 toomuchpressure said:
day 19. Its a new day. I did well last night and i hardly touched my face. I need strength. I know i can do this...life is getting very overwhelming but i have to remember to breathe. Its comforting to know that i can go out of the house and not be judged because of what is on my face. REAL TRUE PEOPLE don't look on the outside! they look on the inside. Encouragement for the week!
On March 3rd, 2012 toomuchpressure said:
day 18 major relapse last. UGH! its okay new day!
On March 4th, 2012 valentine said:
Hi toomuchpressure. Just logging in after a few days out of town to see how it's going and absolutely, it's all about pickin' ourselves up, dustin' ourselves off, and looking toward the new day. "Relapse" sounds a little self-critical, no? Maybe it's just where I'm coming from these days but reading these boards has really given me the sense that "counting days" only to berate myself for slips only makes my picking more likely/my self-esteem drop. I just ordered "SKIN DEEP" by Dr. Grossbart off his website (maybe $13, i think) and a quick flip through the pages looks super-thought provoking. And it talks a lot about scolding ourselves less and instead trying to break down where things went a drift, even minute by minute (like in a journal or something), so we can better look out for similar triggers next time. And really, your willingness to share your journey, the good, the bad, and everything in between, is so helpful to so many right now... I hope you can start your new day with that in mind... that with each struggle, and accounting of, you help those of us also in the trenches feel less alone. Which reminds me to update my journal at my topic, "Valentine: I'll Be Mine"! To new days!
On March 4th, 2012 toomuchpressure said:
Thanks Valentine. I have been journaling every night for about two weeks now and I say it has been helping tremendously. Not to make excuses, but it IS hard to really keep yourself in check and make sure you are focusing on everything but what is/isnt lurking beneath the pores. I think being tired and i mean emotionally makes everything really difficult. I know now that I have to be extra careful during these times to make sure I am controlling myself...I am so grateful to have this site and all these people who understand! thanks for checking up...I look forward to your next update :)
On March 2nd, 2012 toomuchpressure said:
day 17 I just woke up for the day feeling really positive! I think its because I got a haircut yesterday...DO IT! it made me feel so confident! lol. I on the other hand do not feel to well...note to self, don't overeat on your diet's cheat day...your body will hate you and rebel!!!! Happy days to all!
On March 1st, 2012 toomuchpressure said:
day 16 a new day! I bought some calamine lotion...i read it might help heal stuff! Here i go!! :)
On March 2nd, 2012 newperspective said:
Hi there toomuchpressure! I'm so happy to read that someone else is giving the calamine lotion a try... I've been using it for 4 days now and my skin is healing up nicely. Please let me know how it works for you. It would be really wonderful if we've stumbled across something that can help make this struggle just a little bit easier to overcome for all of us. Best of luck to you! :)
On March 3rd, 2012 toomuchpressure said:
absolutely! I used it last night and it seemed to already make a difference on toning down the redness of my scars. I still have lots of healing because of my more recent session, but ill keep you posted :)
On March 2nd, 2012 cleanandsparkles said:
best of luck with the calamine lotion tmp. can imagine it might be soothing. i used it for chicken pox years ago. funny how old remedies, with simple ingredients (chalk i think) can still beat the high-science stuff produced now. hope it works well. best wishes :)
On March 1st, 2012 toomuchpressure said:
day 15 continued. Man! I did it again! I kind of picked up where i had "left off" from the last session. Tomorrow is a new day. I can do this!
On March 1st, 2012 jaffa said:
Contour powder, used to define the face. It can be used to give the illusion of a slimmer face or to even modify a person’s face shape as desired. Usually a few shades darker than ones own skin tone and matte in finish to create the illusion of depth. A darker toned concealer can be used instead to contour to create a more natural look. Thanks. Regards, Beauty Solution
On March 1st, 2012 toomuchpressure said:
day 15 No pick day! woot...I admit i literally just scratched one but i caught myself and told myself no more today! i have the gym rehearsal and then bed time to worry about. I can do it :)
On March 1st, 2012 Basta said:
I'm so glad for your progress! We can do it! As long as we are trying we will get to the "pick-free" destination.
On March 1st, 2012 Savannah said:
Hi Toomuchpressure, Just found this site today and I can't stop reading I am inspired by your open & honest way of dealing with your issue! I always thought I was alone but thanks to you and others I now have hope that I can overcome this & a place to visit, to hear and share stories. Congratulations on making through the day! As with all things, we can do it, " One day at a time" after all nothing really exisists except this moment and there are a million other ways to spend our time and relive our stress other than destroying our own skin and ultimately making ourselves feel worse than ever! Currently I look worse than I ever have in my life, due to spending several hours in the bathroom with tweezers over the past couple of days. But today was different. I found this site, registered, commented and followed some valuable and inspirational advice! Thank you for sharing. You will succeed and be scar free soon! As will I! My prayers are with you and I look forward to your daily updates! Sincerely grateful, Savannah
On March 19th, 2012 sunny55 said:
I am exactly in your position, today! Thank you for this comment, I feel like I am you, lol! Wow, I feel like crying... okay now i am crying... I will start being accountable today.
On February 29th, 2012 toomuchpressure said:
day 14. obviously I was a little upset today, but i guess luckily i have mastered how to cover my skin and look pretty good. haha. I tried to keep confident...i pretty much succeeded. I picked at a few just by scratching but nothing serious. time for a new healing!
On February 29th, 2012 Basta said:
Hope it'll be a better day today!! :)
On February 28th, 2012 toomuchpressure said:
Day 13 continued...dun dun dun...I literally just got done with an hour and a half picking session. It's hurts. Literally and figuratively. You know this is hard. too hard. I had a very emotional night with my mom...we fought but then we resolved our problems. I think I just let everything get to me and I didn't let it out properly. Well, tomorrow is a new day. I can do this. Any support helps. Thanks guys.
On February 28th, 2012 stresskitty said:
I hear ya! Seems like any kind of friction with my mum seems to set me off, even if I don't think it's got to me, I end up picking. It's like it builds up without me realising. Good luck with the rest of ur week! We can do this!
On February 27th, 2012 toomuchpressure said:
day 13...I was at work all day and I did not touch my face! hooray! keeping busy really helps. Now I'm home and i have to make sure to steer clear! I did pick one on my boob but thats okay! it'll heal up if i leave it alone! Covered with a band aid so I don't touch it again! I have been journaling for about a week now and exercising and eating very good foods for my body. Im ready to make this life change and I think I am getting closer and closer day by day. By really focusing on what I am putting into my body and focusing on making sure Im treating my body with respect, it gives me a greater responsibility in life. No more taking the easy route...this is a journey and its very difficult but with the right mindset, support, and tools, I can do it and so can anyone else :) I believe in everyone!!
On February 26th, 2012 toomuchpressure said:
day 12 Yesterday was great! I didn't pick at all hooray!! So today I must strive for this as well! i am going to focus on keeping hands away from face :)
On February 25th, 2012 toomuchpressure said:
day 11 yesterday went well! Not 100% successful but still good! I got really antsy and was touching my face a lot but I did not pick a lot! Today WILL be a good day! I can do this!
On February 24th, 2012 toomuchpressure said:
Day 10 I am not feeling so well today but thankfully i did not pick yesterday, only scratched my back a little but the good thing is that i did not sit in front of a mirror and focus on the picking! Good thoughts, happy days! I'm excited because for the first time ever, i feel like i can actually overcome this. it feels wonderful!
On February 23rd, 2012 toomuchpressure said:
day 9 Yesterday went pretty well...i had a few minor slip ups but overall did well! keeping positive and staying healthy! hooray!
On February 22nd, 2012 toomuchpressure said:
day 8. Happy day! yesterday was finished very well! I am feeling antsy picky again but I'm trying my best to fight it. Went to the store this morning with no makeup. Going to try all day! For a little bit before I wrote this I fought writing it...because I had other things to do. This is important. It will give me commitment and an obligation to myself and ultimately all you guys! Here's to a healthy pick free day! :)
On February 22nd, 2012 Basta said:
I'm happy you are on the right way! This (wearing no makeup) helpes me so much to not to give into picking.
On February 22nd, 2012 toomuchpressure said:
More on day 7...just went to the gym and ate pretty well today. could have been better. Im ready to change my life. Its going to be hard but very worthwhile. I had no makeup on at the gym and i had a great work out. afterwords this guy, not attractive but hey, came up to me and was like oh hi blah blah do you have a boyfriend. I said yes...i do not actually, but it made me feel good that even though my skin was unclear and bare, someone was interested. This is good for all of us! It's in our heads guys! We can beat this. Also, my "fortune" on my tea said that a person will become happy when they overcome a challenge successfully! HOORAY! And, the night is young which means...watch glee/new girl...shower...GO TO BED! There is no picking...i can do it!
On February 21st, 2012 toomuchpressure said:
day 7. Last night actually went pretty well! I had a couple infractions if you must call it that. Im happy. and I'm totally going sans makeup today, even though my skin is not the best. it feels good to go without....im still really paranoid about the way i look but i have to get it through my head that people really don't care! its me that creates the biggest problem about it in my head. I can beat this! happy hands today! :)
On February 21st, 2012 valentine said:
Great thoughts to share! Back when I went to an OCD clinic, the first thing I was told was that my perfectionism--especially about my appearence, and along with the distorted sense that people were always scrutinizing my face--was a big part of my picking cycle and my first "homework" was to leave the house without makeup. It's a big challenge for me but I've found that when I'm out of town, visiting my boyfriend, I can do it easily. It's just that here at home my paranoid sense that I might "run into someone" I know makes it seem like leaving the house without clothes--though I wear so little it's hard to tell I have it on! Anyway: I continue to be inspired by your choices and hope you have a great, pressure-free day!
On February 20th, 2012 toomuchpressure said:
day 6...well last night did not go well. I have been doing better overall though...I am staying away from mirrors. Here i go!! :)
On February 19th, 2012 toomuchpressure said:
Day 5! I'm ready for a pick free day! I got in a little trouble with my mom so I'm having this struggle now. I don't want my emotions on the subject make me feel like I have to pick it out. I just want to relax today and make amends with my mom rather than on my skin! I can do it!
On February 19th, 2012 vet_to_be said:
you can do it! I have decided to do a similar thing, writing everyday about how I'm doing! I know anxiety really affects picking, but if you can break the cycle I'm sure it will get easier. good luck. xx
On February 18th, 2012 toomuchpressure said:
Day 4 yesterday went well! I was still antsy with my hands but I was with a good friend who was in town so it kept my mind off it! now today I picked a little but not a lot...i have work tonight and I'm hoping to keep my hands clear of my face afterwords!!!
On February 17th, 2012 toomuchpressure said:
Day 3! So yesterdaay was not perfect but it did not do a lot of damage. AND i consciously stopped myself after a little woot! So today is going pretty well! Im excited because my skin is actually clearing up and looking better! Hooray! hooray Hooray!
On February 17th, 2012 Basta said:
Congrats!!! :)
On February 15th, 2012 toomuchpressure said:
Day Two! I'm gonna make it count like yesterday! obviously I am still getting very antsy with my hands but I am trying so hard to keep them away from my face! I have a busy day and really no time for any dilly dallying picking so I am going to just work hard! Just read small steps post and it really inspired me! Here's to a new day! Let's all seize it!
On February 14th, 2012 toomuchpressure said:
DAY ONE! Pick free...I will do this! I still have rehearsal tonight and a little time to spare. I think I might take a nap and I will definitely make sure my mirror is away from me!! It's time to get things done so I mustn't waste time picking!
On February 15th, 2012 valentine said:
Hope your rehearsal goes well and that the night ends on a good note!! Also just posting to say that at 7pm my time, the next few hours are my danger zone, so I'm checking in beforehand to make myself a little more mindful of the challenge—and so I don't space out and just "find myself" picking before I know what's happened. Here's to changing into pajamas after applying my healing lotions & potions (on my bikini line and face) and keeping hands off through bedtime!
On February 15th, 2012 toomuchpressure said:
You can do it! Nighttime is ALWAYS my worst enemy too! that is when pretty much all of my picking goes on..that time before bed is the worst! but lets make it the best! watch a favorite video online...paint your nails...read a book! and most importantly, stay away from the mirrors and keep your hands busy! I believe in you!
On February 14th, 2012 toomuchpressure said:
ALRIGHT! it was a long weekend. I was out of town. i did horribly...BUT! I am starting over. DAY ONE! all over again. I can do this...I can beat this. Here we go... DAY one begins on Valentine's day!
On February 14th, 2012 Basta said:
Good luck! I will just quote here with one of my favourites: "Never confuse a single defeat with a final defeat." – F. Scott Fitzgerald
« first‹ previous12345next ›last »
For information on the skin picking disorder (Dermatillomania), symptoms, causes and treatment methods, get the Complete Guide to Skin Picking Disorders.