Get Ready, Get Set…Wait, Are You Ready?

You’ve probably heard the old saying, “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make them drink.” And, if you’ve ever tried to do that, you know just how true it is. The fact is, people (and horses) do what they’re going to do when they’re good and ready, not when someone thinks they should be. 

Now what does this have to do with skin picking? More than you might think. 

If you’re living with skin picking disorder, you have no doubt had more than one conversation about getting help, doing this, that or the other thing. And, while treatments like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Habit Reversal Training can be effective, the journey to recovery begins with a critical first step that often gets overlooked: being ready for change. 

Embracing change is the secret sauce for being successful at stopping your skin picking or anything else you want to overcome. It’s more than just wanting. It’s about committing to the process, investing time and energy, and stepping out of your comfort zone to reclaim control over your life. You have to be ready to do what it takes to get what you want.

Why Wanting to Change Matters So Much

The desire to change is the foundation of any successful recovery journey. Without it, even the most well-designed, individually tailored treatment plans can fall short. 

Skin picking disorder is deeply rooted in emotional, psychological, and sometimes physiological triggers, making it more than just a “bad habit.” Wanting to change signals your awareness that the behavior is causing harm and a willingness to take action to alleviate it.

The desire to change doesn’t happen by accident or by someone telling you to “just stop”. It often stems from a moment of clarity, kind of like that moment of truth when you can clearly see how skin picking is disrupting your life or affecting your relationships, or even your self-image. For some people, it might be the frustration and shame that comes from trying to hide your scars or missing social events that you so badly want to attend. For others, it might be the desire to be free from the endless cycle of picking. Whatever your reason might be, it is this spark that lights the fire of commitment to the recovery process and the challenges that will come along the path to healing. That desire is more than wanting. It is a deep, genuine, no holds barred desire to change. Without it, the effort required for effective treatment and recovery can feel like an endless battle, leaving you feeling discouraged and at risk for relapse. 

What Does Readiness Look Like?

You’re committed. You’re all in and ready to address your skin picking. Now comes the other side of the readiness coin: doing the work. Recovery is a process that demands time, energy, and a willingness to try new ways of doing things. Here’s what that readiness might look like:

Committing to the Process

Recovery from skin picking often requires therapeutic interventions such as CBT or HRT. While you’ll have the support and guidance of a therapist, you will have an active role in the therapy process. Commitment means showing up for your sessions, even when it feels hard, and following through on any strategies or tasks your therapist might ask you to try. Know that sometimes progress can feel slow, and setbacks might happen. It’s OK. Progress is never a straight line. 

Investing Time and Energy

Healing takes time and energy. Depending on your particular journey, that might look like making time for therapy, self-reflection, or practicing new coping strategies. Being ready means prioritizing this time, even when life feels busy or overwhelming.

Doing the Homework

Wait homework? Yes. Treatment often involves “homework” assignments, such as journaling about triggers or trying strategies in real time so that you can share feedback with your therapist. These tasks are essential for you in building awareness and learning ways to break the cycle. They also give your therapist valuable insight into how your skin picking manifests and how you’re managing between sessions. Being ready means taking these assignments seriously, even when they feel boring or uncomfortable.

Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone

Change often requires doing things that feel uncomfortable or even scary. This might mean exploring emotions that trigger picking, a new intervention, or opening up to your therapist about a particularly difficult topic. It can feel scary but allowing yourself to be vulnerable in this way is an important step toward healing.

Embrace the Learning Moments

The truth about recovery is that it isn’t linear. It’s full of twists and turns, and unexpected bumps. It’s also full of little victories that happen when you least expect it. Being ready means allowing yourself to see every challenge and every victory as an opportunity for learning. Every experience holds a lesson if you’re open to learning. 

Are You Ready?

If you’ve found yourself wondering if you’re ready to change your skin picking, know that asking the question is a positive signal. 

By embracing change, you’re not just managing your skin picking, you’re building a stronger, more resilient and empowered you. The road to change begins with that first step. And when you’re ready, the possibilities for healing are endless.

At Skinpick.com, we have a team of experienced therapists ready to help you take the next step towards healing. And online therapy makes getting help comfortable and convenient. When you’re ready, there is help and hope waiting for you. 

References

1. Sutton, J. (2023, September 20). How to assess and improve readiness for change. PositivePsychology.com. https://positivepsychology.com/readiness-for-change/

2. Readiness to change: Stages, signs, and strategies for success. (2024, December 17). NuView Treatment Center - Top Behavioral Healthcare in Los Angeles, CA. https://nuviewtreatment.com/group-therapy/readiness-to-change/