![image](https://img.esteem.ws/jchfw8k94v.jpg)

A habit is usually described as an automatic behaviour rather than a choice that we have thought through.  So how do we break them?  People say you need to note what you are doing acknowledge and change and keep going through that cycle and then positively stop yourself when you spot the trigger.  For me that never ever seemed to work as you will find out if you read the post below.

Ok I know is gross but I used to have a really bad habit of biting my nails...suppose that's the cue for some to say ew?

Maybe so, but I had lived all my life and never knew any different.  Sure I had my moments where I gave up; like when I went away on holidays, suppose there was plenty to keep me occupied. 

For a few weeks I just didn't find myself picking at them and chomping at the ends...I was always so ashamed of them that I would disguise and hide my hands all the time.

So may people used to say of course you can just stop but for some reason I couldn't. I would try all sorts, painted them with varnish, used nasty tasting stop & grow, put on false nails, got my family to nudge me or elbow me or gently slap me if they saw me.  I tried the snap band with an elastic round my wrist and pinged it on myself each time I found myself going back to old ways.  

I had been like it since anyone can remember, did I start because my mum didn't give me a dummy or was it because I was testing and it helped? Who knows the real reason. 

Each time I got stressed or upset it just made me worse, but years and years on; I finally stopped. I can hear (if you are still reading) you asking what made you stop.  

Well I met someone...on our fist date I could see him looking at my hands after I had been successful in hiding them for most of the date up until then. I figured I just needed to say to him yes, I do bite my nails...I did just that and his response was really simple "I'd rather you did that than smoked"

Ever since then, I haven't bitten them...that was over 14 months ago now and I don't think I will ever go back...do I have regrets? Yes I sure do; I wished I had met him and had that conversation years ago...just goes to show you whilst you have to be the one to change a habit it's sometimes the humble and simple response of someone else that can trigger the desire to stop and it's not all about spending money on gimmick things to help...just being lucky enough to stumble on the right motivator and I most certainly was lucky enough to find him ❤️my happy hippo, my gaffer...

So this post is dedicated to him