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Breaking the habit of a life time

BunksBunks Australia Veteran
in Diet & Habits
I have been chewing my nails as long as I can remember (I am 41).

When I was nervous or anxious and my mind stuck on something I would suddenly find myself gnawing away.

About 2 days ago I looked at my nails and they were longer than I could ever remember. It dawned on me I hadn't chewed them for at least a couple of weeks!

It's funny how little things in this practice creep up on you......

Anyone else with similar experiences?

lobsterchelaTreeLuvr87

Comments

  • karastikarasti Breathing Minnesota Moderator
    edited February 2013
    I've been a lifetime nail chewer too. I have, in the past, stopped for particular reasons, like my wedding, but always few and far between. It never lasts for me. Sometimes I'll notice, like you did, that I haven't chewed them in a while, but it seems like whenever I notice that, I'm at them again in like 2 minutes. Did you know nail biting like that has been listed in the new DSM as a type of OCD? My sister pointed that out to me a few weeks ago, lol.

    I hope your intermission lasts! I do it without thinking, not even in response to stress or something. I can let them go several weeks and then I'll go to a movie or something and come out with them gone. Frustrating habit, to be sure, but I figure there are worse ones.
  • robotrobot Veteran
    The same thing happened to me in my forties, but it happened while I was seeing a psychiatrist. Same kind of thing I think.
  • lamaramadingdonglamaramadingdong Veteran
    Yup- I used to chew my nails. Looking at it now, it happened shortly after I started to practice. Did not think about stopping, just sort of noticed after a while that I had stopped biting them. Really didn't put that together until right now.
  • BunksBunks Australia Veteran
    I don't for one moment think that I'll never chew my nails again but I feel that this is a step in the right direction.....maybe it's like smoking and will take a few goes to kick!! :thumbsup:
  • robotrobot Veteran
    Once I stopped doing it, I found that the thought of all the potential filth that could get on my hands made putting them in my mouth seem like a bad idea. I work with tools and different poisonous preservatives and paints and such, not to mention the stuff that comes from doorknobs, hand railings ect.
    Bunks
  • vinlynvinlyn Colorado...for now Veteran
    lamaramadingdong said:

    Yup- I used to chew my nails. Looking at it now, it happened shortly after I started to practice. Did not think about stopping, just sort of noticed after a while that I had stopped biting them. Really didn't put that together until right now.

    Don't chew your nails! Remember what happened to Venus DiMilo!

    Nirvana
  • NirvanaNirvana aka BUBBA   `     `   South Carolina, USA Veteran
    edited February 2013
    HILARIOUS comment, vinlyn!

    Well, all you nail biters may at least very well be HONEST. I always thought that I trimmed my nails with my teeth to keep them a safe length.

    Perhaps I am deluded.
    Bunks
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