I didn’t really think of the aspect of “control” but you are right that it is a big reason that I am having a lot of issues during the lockdown. I have no control at all so skin picking is one of the only things where I feel a sense of control. I have a general feeling of aimlessness and uncertainty in general now as I was just finishing my real estate course and talking with the company that is supposed to hire me when I complete the exam before Coronavirus. Now the campus is closed and I am unable to write the test until the fall and the real estate industry is taking a big hit because of the economy so I probably won’t be able to work in the field anyway. This relates to dermatilamania because when I have no goals or direction in life, I find I pick more because I have a “what’s the point” mentality. I also have that tendency to check off a list in order to progress with life in general so without a solid future planned out, I don’t feel good enough to socialize and meet people, and I turn I end up isolating myself and don’t do much of anything, which adds to my anxiety even more. It’s all a terrible downward spiral which of course includes skin picking as a “solution.”
I love this channel so much! Thank you for creating this safe space for us! My skin picking has definitely increased since the virus. I'm working from home now so I have a lot of temptation to just pick, especially when work gets stressful or even when I get bored. I've been trying to implement different tactics like keep the light off in the bathroom and only having the natural light so I'm not tempted to find imperfections. I've also been working with my psychiatrist and I'm currently taking supplements to help with my picking! It's definitely been an adjustment!
Thanks Kim. Completely relate to the lists thing, I’ve always been the same. I obsess over them and am barely ever able to actually execute the things on my list, mainly due to skin picking getting in the way like you mentioned, and unrealistic goals. As you said it’s the feeling of needing to renovate yourself and feel that you are ‘accomplishing’ (which is exactly the intention of skin picking too), all in the hope of reaching an ideal of perfection - this we can never achieve as we will always find something to criticise about ourselves and smooth out. I am trying to ease this pressure that you talk about and start to try and accept my personal situation as well as the global situation, as that is the only way to get close to feeling peaceful and happy. Your videos are really helping me, can’t say it enough! I’ve also noticed since watching your videos I’ve been much more disciplined with myself such as making sure to wash and moisturise my face night and morning, brush my teeth, do yoga every morning and go for a walk every day, and cook and eat generally very healthily, and go to sleep before 12 - these routine things may sound small but are all things I usually find very difficult to maintain (I was going to sleep at 4am most nights and neglecting personal hygiene etc), but I’m trying to care about myself enough to do them as not doing them contributes massively to stress and so skin picking. Don’t feel obliged to respond, just want you to know ♥️
I love reading stories like this! It’s to hard to accept things as they are and not feel like a failure because our crazy unrealistic goals aren’t met, but taking those baby steps and being grateful for the smaller, more achievable goals in life is something to be really proud of. I’ve decided that I’m still going to have my crazy unrealistic goals but I’m going to try really hard to not define the success of my life on them. Yes I still want to look perfect and try my best to achieve that but I’m trying to not put my life on hold in the pursuit of it. Man its hard but hearing stories like yours help me too, because I know there are other people battling the same fight and I’m not alone in my way of thinking. Keep it up!
I’m so proud of you Neve! Also I’m so so sorry I’ve only responded now 😖 ‘slow and steady wins the race’ - take your time, some days you’ll feel more motivated than others but that’s all part of your journey. Be kind, patient and compassionate with yourself as you’re doing the best you can ❤️ sending you BIG hugs xxx
Love this. Really relate to the pressure bit. Finding the balance between accomplishing goals and taking care of myself has always been the difference for me between picking and not picking. Really well said.
Surprisingly my skinpicking improved a lot during quarantine. I assume that‘s because I had no pressure from outside and the few obligations I had put myself less under pressure. I also compare myself less to other people and give myself more time „to heal“. Skin Picking has been with my for 10 years now, so it won‘t disappear overnight. Thanks for sharing your story!🥰 You made me feel I am not the only one with this issue.
I have only just found your channel this morning. Kim, you are so worldly wise and I appreciate your absolute honesty in a subject that's difficult for some to talk about. I for one are so good at hiding my picking secrets. It's time to let go of our shame for our compulsion and to love and listen to ourselves. Thank you.
Being stuck at home with no work made me pick incessantly n just when I didn’t make any marks on myself in many moths. Grrrrrrr. When I’m bored n not busy I don’t do it nearly this much. It sure doesn’t help when nobody n I mean nobody cares even why I do it🙄🙄🙄
KIM ON SKIN thank you Kim n we know that if you don’t deal with this you just don’t get it. It’s a very lonely disorder 😞 n I’m sure mine stems from my BDD. Arg. Thank you for your channel. I know I need help n it does help knowing there are others 🤗🤗
I didn’t really think of the aspect of “control” but you are right that it is a big reason that I am having a lot of issues during the lockdown. I have no control at all so skin picking is one of the only things where I feel a sense of control.
I have a general feeling of aimlessness and uncertainty in general now as I was just finishing my real estate course and talking with the company that is supposed to hire me when I complete the exam before Coronavirus. Now the campus is closed and I am unable to write the test until the fall and the real estate industry is taking a big hit because of the economy so I probably won’t be able to work in the field anyway. This relates to dermatilamania because when I have no goals or direction in life, I find I pick more because I have a “what’s the point” mentality. I also have that tendency to check off a list in order to progress with life in general so without a solid future planned out, I don’t feel good enough to socialize and meet people, and I turn I end up isolating myself and don’t do much of anything, which adds to my anxiety even more. It’s all a terrible downward spiral which of course includes skin picking as a “solution.”
I love this channel so much! Thank you for creating this safe space for us! My skin picking has definitely increased since the virus. I'm working from home now so I have a lot of temptation to just pick, especially when work gets stressful or even when I get bored. I've been trying to implement different tactics like keep the light off in the bathroom and only having the natural light so I'm not tempted to find imperfections. I've also been working with my psychiatrist and I'm currently taking supplements to help with my picking! It's definitely been an adjustment!
Very much relate to this , my skin picking has increased massively . It's good to watch a video and know I'm not alone in this . Xxx
Thanks Kim. Completely relate to the lists thing, I’ve always been the same. I obsess over them and am barely ever able to actually execute the things on my list, mainly due to skin picking getting in the way like you mentioned, and unrealistic goals. As you said it’s the feeling of needing to renovate yourself and feel that you are ‘accomplishing’ (which is exactly the intention of skin picking too), all in the hope of reaching an ideal of perfection - this we can never achieve as we will always find something to criticise about ourselves and smooth out. I am trying to ease this pressure that you talk about and start to try and accept my personal situation as well as the global situation, as that is the only way to get close to feeling peaceful and happy. Your videos are really helping me, can’t say it enough! I’ve also noticed since watching your videos I’ve been much more disciplined with myself such as making sure to wash and moisturise my face night and morning, brush my teeth, do yoga every morning and go for a walk every day, and cook and eat generally very healthily, and go to sleep before 12 - these routine things may sound small but are all things I usually find very difficult to maintain (I was going to sleep at 4am most nights and neglecting personal hygiene etc), but I’m trying to care about myself enough to do them as not doing them contributes massively to stress and so skin picking. Don’t feel obliged to respond, just want you to know ♥️
I love reading stories like this! It’s to hard to accept things as they are and not feel like a failure because our crazy unrealistic goals aren’t met, but taking those baby steps and being grateful for the smaller, more achievable goals in life is something to be really proud of. I’ve decided that I’m still going to have my crazy unrealistic goals but I’m going to try really hard to not define the success of my life on them. Yes I still want to look perfect and try my best to achieve that but I’m trying to not put my life on hold in the pursuit of it. Man its hard but hearing stories like yours help me too, because I know there are other people battling the same fight and I’m not alone in my way of thinking.
Keep it up!
I’m so proud of you Neve! Also I’m so so sorry I’ve only responded now 😖 ‘slow and steady wins the race’ - take your time, some days you’ll feel more motivated than others but that’s all part of your journey. Be kind, patient and compassionate with yourself as you’re doing the best you can ❤️ sending you BIG hugs xxx
Love this. Really relate to the pressure bit. Finding the balance between accomplishing goals and taking care of myself has always been the difference for me between picking and not picking. Really well said.
Thank you so very much Shannon ☺️
Surprisingly my skinpicking improved a lot during quarantine. I assume that‘s because I had no pressure from outside and the few obligations I had put myself less under pressure. I also compare myself less to other people and give myself more time „to heal“. Skin Picking has been with my for 10 years now, so it won‘t disappear overnight.
Thanks for sharing your story!🥰 You made me feel I am not the only one with this issue.
You’re very welcome and you’re not alone - there are so many of us out there, thinking we’re alone (oh the irony!) ❤️ Sending big hugs your way
And I did the complete opposite being trapped for 3 months 😢😢😢 I’m glad you were able to do the opposite🤗🤗🤗
I have only just found your channel this morning. Kim, you are so worldly wise and I appreciate your absolute honesty in a subject that's difficult for some to talk about. I for one are so good at hiding my picking secrets. It's time to let go of our shame for our compulsion and to love and listen to ourselves. Thank you.
You’re so welcome Jackie, thank you so much for watching and for your kind words - it means so much ☺️💗
Being stuck at home with no work made me pick incessantly n just when I didn’t make any marks on myself in many moths. Grrrrrrr. When I’m bored n not busy I don’t do it nearly this much. It sure doesn’t help when nobody n I mean nobody cares even why I do it🙄🙄🙄
Can definitely relate to this!
KIM ON SKIN thank you Kim n we know that if you don’t deal with this you just don’t get it. It’s a very lonely disorder 😞 n I’m sure mine stems from my BDD. Arg. Thank you for your channel. I know I need help n it does help knowing there are others 🤗🤗
I don’t be caring lmao I rip my head open in public cuz of how badly my anxiety is LMAOOO it’s not funny :(