subject: How To Stop Biting Nails - One Piece Of Advice [print this page] Oftentimes, when we try to make a change such as nail biting, we stumble. We have been able to stay away from our nails for a couple of days or even weeks, but then something throws us off course and we are right back where we started.
You may even have already observed how the whit tips on the end of your fingernails started to grow out. It was a great feeling and possibly your friends, co-workers of family members already started to comment on your newly-grown nails. You imagined what it would be like to act more confidently.
But it didn't take long until something caused you to backslide. In some unexpected moment, you caught yourself nibbling on your nails, and then in a matter of minutes all your nails were gone. In such moments, we often tend to give up completely. Instead of just having one bitten fingernails, we then go for the entire hand.
However, it doesn't have to be that way. In many cases, such events can actually be a learning experience and teach us powerful lessons. What triggered the urge? What did you feel that caused you to bite your nails? What could you do in the future to prevent this from happening? What kind of thought were going through your mind right before you brought your hands up to your mouth?
So next time you have a major relapse, stop and ask yourself these questions.
Don't try to be perfect from day one. Instead know that setbacks are an inevitable part of the change process. Take is as practicing, you are simply practicing to stop nail biting. It's not because you are weak-willed or don't have enough self-discipline, but because it's a part of every change process.
Imagine it like being in a race with your only competitor being yourself. If you stumble and fall on the ground, what do you do? Exactly, you dust yourself off and continue running until you cross the finish line. If you fall off the wagon, get back on and don't beat yourself up for it. Rather say to yourself: "That's ok, and tomorrow I can make a different choice".
A bit of self-appreciation can work wonders in some situations.
