Kingoftheinternet comments on Group rationality diary, 7/23/12 - Less Wrong

4 Post author: cata 24 July 2012 08:49AM

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Comment author: Kingoftheinternet 24 July 2012 09:27:23PM *  2 points [-]

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.

Comment author: evand 24 July 2012 10:00:56PM 2 points [-]

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!

Comment author: Tripitaka 25 July 2012 12:42:43AM -1 points [-]

Having tools like the nail file helps under good conditions; the hard part is not relapsing when under stress/other triggering conditions.

Comment author: FeepingCreature 25 July 2012 11:14:30AM *  0 points [-]
Comment author: kilobug 25 July 2012 10:12:33AM 0 points [-]

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 ! ;)