I Stopped Biting My Nails

I Stopped Biting My Nails

November 2022

West Chester, PA

I have been a nail biter my whole life, for 67 years. I constantly bit them and picked at them and mostly never knew I was doing this until I bit just a bit too hard and hurt myself.  And then I would be mad at myself for this self mutilation.  But then, at some point, I just stopped and I didn't notice until I scratched my arm and hurt myself.  Upon inspection, I saw that I had finger nails.  Where did they come from?  How did this happen?  How did I kick a 67 year old habit and not even realize it.  What caused me to stop?

At the time, I had covid and for two to three weeks, I had no appetite. It was an effort to eat anything.  I think I must have gotten out of the habit of putting my fingers to my mouth and my nail biting behavior just stopped.

And then, my nails got so long that I had to manage them.  But I was afraid to cut them on my own because I was afraid this behavior would trigger my old habit.  So I went to a nail salon and had my first manicure. Now, my hand feels so heavy with all of this extra weight.  Typing is more of a challenge as the tips of my nails hit the keys.  It's a new pressure compensation. these nails feel creepy.

Recently, an aquaintence said to me, "Ypu have beautiful nails" and I just laughed.  I never thought I would ever har anyone say that to me.