DAY 3 - Biting My Nails

The 24 Things Clearing Challenge 
encourages you to make room in your home, heart, and mind to create an inspired future

Ever since I can remember, I've bitten my nails. I have no idea why or exactly when it began, but I can never recall a time when I had naturally long, healthy, pretty fingernails.*

For a long time, it didn't bother me. That's just who I was: a nail-biter. And, of course, the more my mom told me not to do it, the more I did it. Then in college (yes, I was still biting my nails in college) I took some ballet classes - and watching the beautiful hands of advanced dancers was one of the most enjoyable things for me. They were so elegant and graceful.

And each time I practiced and noticed my hands, I was disappointed - and eventually a bit embarrassed - that they looked short and stubby. Despite my long fingers, my nail-less tips were always at the end, staring back at me. But no matter how many times I tried to quit, I would fail; I was addicted to biting my nails. It wasn't out of nervousness, or shyness, or frustration... it was just habit. And it was very hard to break.

So today, I resolve to let that go. I release myself from that habit. I will continue to tell myself each day that I no longer need to bite my nails and that beautiful, long, healthy fingernails (and the fun benefit of manicures and nail polish) await me.

The results of this day's letting go: seeing the light at the end of a life-long bad-habit tunnel; enjoying a little extra beauty; setting a better example for my daughter.

* Except for when I was pregnant - my hair and nails never looked better!