I am not offering advice, per se, but as a life-long nail-biter, you might find this interesting? About five years ago, after decades of hating myself for biting my nails and not being "strong enough" to stop, I decided to approach the problem from a different direction. First, the mental bit: it's not a bad habit I'm too weak to break. It's part of who I am, and I have to accept that sometimes I will bite my nails. I've long known my triggers; I now try to accept that they happen and when they do, I bite.
Two: I try to minimise the triggers. Ragged edges are a huge one (I have sensory issues), so I keep a tiny nail file with me at all times, and the MOMENT something happens (they're very soft and break easily), I file the raggedy edge down. Two, I use a clear polish called Nailtiques, which was developed to help older people when their nails become brittle and start to ridge and split. Once a week I take the old polish off, file my nails down so they're smooth and not too long, then apply two coats of Nailtiques. I top this up once a week (Weds) with another coat, then take it all off and start again on Sunday night.
I still bite sometimes, but the polish is quite strong and keeps them from breaking or becoming ragged, and there's less there for me to pick at when the compulsion arises. The nail file helps with little fixes during the week, too. If it's just a ragged edge, I can file it down without taking the polish off. I keep bottles of Nailtiques at work as well as at home, for emergency fixes. I will never have long, gorgeous nails, in part because I hate the feel of them, but I very rarely bite them down to the quick anymore; generally speaking, they look totally fine most of the time now.
Nailtiques is the best stuff on the market, but Sally Hanson's super-strong topcoat will work in a pinch as well.
thanks! i’ve tried this too — i do really well until i get super anxious, and then i cave. but honestly, i still don’t drink, so i’m taking that as a win
I am not offering advice, per se, but as a life-long nail-biter, you might find this interesting? About five years ago, after decades of hating myself for biting my nails and not being "strong enough" to stop, I decided to approach the problem from a different direction. First, the mental bit: it's not a bad habit I'm too weak to break. It's part of who I am, and I have to accept that sometimes I will bite my nails. I've long known my triggers; I now try to accept that they happen and when they do, I bite.
Two: I try to minimise the triggers. Ragged edges are a huge one (I have sensory issues), so I keep a tiny nail file with me at all times, and the MOMENT something happens (they're very soft and break easily), I file the raggedy edge down. Two, I use a clear polish called Nailtiques, which was developed to help older people when their nails become brittle and start to ridge and split. Once a week I take the old polish off, file my nails down so they're smooth and not too long, then apply two coats of Nailtiques. I top this up once a week (Weds) with another coat, then take it all off and start again on Sunday night.
I still bite sometimes, but the polish is quite strong and keeps them from breaking or becoming ragged, and there's less there for me to pick at when the compulsion arises. The nail file helps with little fixes during the week, too. If it's just a ragged edge, I can file it down without taking the polish off. I keep bottles of Nailtiques at work as well as at home, for emergency fixes. I will never have long, gorgeous nails, in part because I hate the feel of them, but I very rarely bite them down to the quick anymore; generally speaking, they look totally fine most of the time now.
Nailtiques is the best stuff on the market, but Sally Hanson's super-strong topcoat will work in a pinch as well.
thanks! i’ve tried this too — i do really well until i get super anxious, and then i cave. but honestly, i still don’t drink, so i’m taking that as a win