This blog was written by HabitAware volunteer, Samu Gopi Raj
"Progress is not linear" – this mantra echoes through the BFRB community for good reason. Some days you catch every urge, others feel like you're starting from scratch. But here's the truth: even when it feels like you're moving backward, every moment of awareness is a step forward on your recovery journey.
You're standing in front of the bathroom mirror, watching yourself pull your hair. You see your fingers moving, you're fully conscious of what you're doing, and you think, "I'm aware of this, so why can't I stop?"
This common experience highlights a crucial misconception about awareness and BFRB (Body-Focused Repetitive Behavior) management: being able to see yourself perform the behavior isn't the same as the awareness needed for lasting change.
The First Step: Real Awareness Through Technology
We want to help you with the hardest step of taking control of hair pulling, skin picking and nail biting... it also happens to be the first step you need to take in your journey. Our Keen2 bracelet represents a fundamental shift in how we approach awareness. Unlike the passive observation in a mirror, it provides:
- Real-time alerts before the behavior starts
- Consistent monitoring when your attention wavers
- Objective feedback without judgment
- A partner in your non-linear journey to recovery
The Mirror Paradox
When you watch yourself pull in the mirror, you're actually in a unique state of dissociation. You're simultaneously the observer and the performer, but neither role is fully engaged in stopping the behavior. It's like watching a movie of yourself – you can see the action happening, but you're disconnected from the power to change it.
Why Mirror Awareness Fails:
It's Reactive, Not Preventive
1. Mirror awareness comes after you're already engaged in the behavior. By then, you're typically in the "pulling trance" – that disconnected state where awareness alone isn't enough to interrupt the cycle.
The False Sense of Control
2. Seeing yourself pull can create an illusion of control. "I'm watching myself do this, so I must be in control," you might think. But this visual awareness often coexists with the compelling urge to continue pulling.
Missing the Early Warning Signs
3. True awareness needs to catch the behavior before it starts. Mirror-watching skips past the crucial early signals – the tension building, the urge rising, the hand beginning to move toward your hair.
Building Better Awareness: The Non-Linear Path
Remember: progress isn't linear. Some days you'll feel on top of your awareness game, others not so much. Here's how to build consistent awareness:
Body Scanning
1. Regular check-ins throughout the day, supported by your Keen2 bracelet's gentle reminders.
Trigger Tracking
2. Document patterns in your behavior. Every insight, even from "bad" days, is progress.
Movement Mindfulness
3. Let technology help you notice unconscious hand movements before they become pulls.
Environmental Awareness
4. Map your triggers and high-risk situations. Knowledge is power, even when progress feels slow.
The Technology Bridge
While mirror-watching fails us, HabitAware's technology provides the consistent, real-time awareness we need. It's like having a compassionate friend who:
- Gently alerts you before the behavior starts
- Stays with you through ups and downs
- Provides objective feedback without judgment
- Helps rewire neural pathways, one alert at a time
Breaking Free: Awareness as the First Step
True awareness isn't about perfectly catching every urge – it's about building a foundation for recovery. Each alert from your Keen bracelet is an opportunity to:
- Notice patterns
- Practice self-compassion
- Build new neural pathways
- Take one step forward, even if yesterday felt like two steps back
Moving Forward: The Recovery Journey
Remember: awareness is just the first step. It's not about perfection; it's about progress. While mirrors might show us what we're doing, technology like the Keen2 bracelet provides the consistent, compassionate awareness needed for real change.
Your journey won't be linear, and that's okay. Each moment of awareness, each gentle buzz from your Keen2 bracelet, is a step forward – even on days when it doesn't feel that way.
The next time you find yourself watching your reflection during a pulling episode, remember: you're not failing because you can see yourself pull and still can't stop. You're just at the beginning of your awareness journey, and with the right tools and support, each day brings new opportunities for growth.
Because in the end, progress isn't linear, but awareness is always the first step forward.
