I used CBT to stop biting my fingernails; when I noticed the urge to bite my nails, I put my hand down and focused on the act of stopping. They became much longer than they’ve ever been in my conscious lifetime, but then I wanted them to be shorter, and I didn’t have a nail file, so I bit them down to size. A nail file is on my shopping list.
I wonder if buying the nail file first would make this even easier. Get your subconscious invested in the idea that you’re going to need the nail file. Make the consistency principle work for you: in order to be consistent with your past actions, you have to stop biting your nails.
I used CBT to stop biting my fingernails; when I noticed the urge to bite my nails, I put my hand down and focused on the act of stopping. They became much longer than they’ve ever been in my conscious lifetime, but then I wanted them to be shorter, and I didn’t have a nail file, so I bit them down to size. A nail file is on my shopping list.
I wonder if buying the nail file first would make this even easier. Get your subconscious invested in the idea that you’re going to need the nail file. Make the consistency principle work for you: in order to be consistent with your past actions, you have to stop biting your nails.
Also, congrats!
Having tools like the nail file helps under good conditions; the hard part is not relapsing when under stress/other triggering conditions.
maybe get one of these also.
I did the same, and I confirm : it works surprisingly well.
Except that I bought a nail cutter before starting, planning in advance is good ! ;)