We did our second-ever, now annual, 31-day "Jump Into January Challenge" where we invited people in the HabitAware Collective to join us in daily and weekly tasks, activities, and intentions that help reduce shame and stop hair pulling (trichotillomania), skin picking (dermatillomania) and other Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs).
Ellen, HabitAware Peer Coach, was giving challengers daily motivation and assignments. Challenge members checked in online twice a day with our HabitAware Peer Coaches - in the morning and evening - completing activities build routines or reset mindsets. With weekly zoom check-ins, we got conversations going around the shame and fear we hold on to. Typing it out, it sounds intense, but we invited people to do what felt reasonable!
We encouraged people to just show up and do what you can. While regimented, our 31-day Challenge was also flexible, as we understand how busy our lives are. We want our challengers to know: you're safe with us. Whatever you progress you make, we will celebrate, even if it is only making a few comments.
Our challengers found that the process really made a difference.
The people who did the challenge want to keep doing what's working!
📣 “The most helpful pieces were creating a toolkit, awareness exercises, encouragement and positivity from Ellen, sharing experiences and support with others, working on positive self talk and strategies... I feel like they're all essential pieces of the puzzle.” –R.W.
📣 “This was my first challenge and I thought it was soooo helpful! I’m super excited for February, I am overwhelming thankful and feel so blessed to have found this community!" –Becca S.
📣 “Thank you so much! I’m incredibly grateful to have found the Keen2 bracelet and this wonderful community after 30 years of unsuccessfully managing this behavior on my own. Now I have the knowledge, support, mindset, and tools to heal and take care of myself. The opportunity to be accountable to a community that “gets it” and check in on a regular basis motivated me to keep showing up for myself and others everyday. It really did help to know that I was not alone, and I was bolstered by everyone’s stories." –E.N.
Having COMMUNITY and ACCOUNTABILITY helped to build confidence and shatter shame.
The average confidence rating SKYROCKETED and the average shame rating dropped even lower than last year's January Challenge!
**Please note that these confidence vs shame numbers are in regards to the individuals feeling of their BFRB.
Want to join in and have access to BFRB Management made easy? The HabitAware Collective is always accepting new members! We'll run our next challenge in April 2026.
