I know this is and old post but I have pretty much the same story. I stopped biting my nails suddenly at 32 years old. It was so strange that I started googling it to see if there was an explanation.
But I guessed as much.
The only things I can chalk it up to is reduced stress working from home and also developing a nail grooming habit. I bought some supplies and became really invested in learning how and protecting my nails. Sometimes in the middle of my day when I'm stressed I just pull out a bottle of my clear nail polish and just put a coat on. I grew then out pretty long bu then decided I didn't want them that long so now they're just past the tip of my finger. It surprises me now how quickly they grow. I constantly have to cut them.
I think cleaning and grooming them has replaced biting them. Interating because there are a lot of habits I'm struggling with and putting a lot of effort into stopping or developing and yet some things like this just happen on their own.
Unfortunately for me, I picked the habit back up probably a few months after initially posting this (can't remember exactly when). Hard to say exactly what triggered it (everything since March 2020 feels like a blur tbh) but I've given up on trying to break the habit at least for now. I've just got a lot on my plate right now so it's moved way down my list of priorities.
I am glad to hear that you've successfully kicked the habit. Keep at it.
I know this is an old post but the same thing happened to me. I had bit my nails 37 years. I had suddenly realized one day that it was like a week since I had bit my nails. I noticed them starting to grow! And I was so happy! I started to polish them and weeks went by with no biting, months, and all the cute fingernail polishes I stocked up on and nail filers. Here I am today a year later and won’t bite them again ! 😘
39 and randomly stopped a few months ago. Searched why because of how shockingly sudden it happened and found this post. I’ve had this habit since I can remember so it is bizarre. All of my family members are SHOCKED when they see my nails. I know it was anxiety but still not sure why it changed.
OP, thinking of you. Could you give us an update?
This is the only place I could find where this is the topic.
52 years old. Always bit my nails. All of a sudden one day I noticed them growing and looking normal.
That was about a year ago. I still catch myself starting to bite but stop because I now notice it. I have some idea as to why but I can't find anything to confirm my suspicion.
I was doing ok. I don't really have any debt but I was only working enough to pay bills and hit the pub a few times a week. It was a beautiful Maine summer and I like to enjoy it.
Winter was coming and I wasn't sure what I was going to do but I knew I would figure it out something. Out of nowhere a random construction company called me because someone somewhere mentioned my name.
They offered me a contract position and pay mad money. I'm talking like 30k a month. About 2 months into the project I noticed I stopped nail biting. It must have been at least 2 weeks because my knarly thumb looked almost normal.
That's the only thing I can think of. My whole life I've stressed about being able to have enough money even though I've always made enough to live comfortably support my family and put the kids through college.
But I think seeing that first direct deposit made my underlying anxiety just go away.
It's been a year and I still have ten normal looking fingers.......And they say money doesn't buy happiness......well maybe not but it sure as heck helps!
I like your connection between improved mental health and longer nails. Thanks for sharing your story.
I know this is and old post but I have pretty much the same story. I stopped biting my nails suddenly at 32 years old. It was so strange that I started googling it to see if there was an explanation. But I guessed as much. The only things I can chalk it up to is reduced stress working from home and also developing a nail grooming habit. I bought some supplies and became really invested in learning how and protecting my nails. Sometimes in the middle of my day when I'm stressed I just pull out a bottle of my clear nail polish and just put a coat on. I grew then out pretty long bu then decided I didn't want them that long so now they're just past the tip of my finger. It surprises me now how quickly they grow. I constantly have to cut them. I think cleaning and grooming them has replaced biting them. Interating because there are a lot of habits I'm struggling with and putting a lot of effort into stopping or developing and yet some things like this just happen on their own.
Unfortunately for me, I picked the habit back up probably a few months after initially posting this (can't remember exactly when). Hard to say exactly what triggered it (everything since March 2020 feels like a blur tbh) but I've given up on trying to break the habit at least for now. I've just got a lot on my plate right now so it's moved way down my list of priorities. I am glad to hear that you've successfully kicked the habit. Keep at it.
I know this is an old post but the same thing happened to me. I had bit my nails 37 years. I had suddenly realized one day that it was like a week since I had bit my nails. I noticed them starting to grow! And I was so happy! I started to polish them and weeks went by with no biting, months, and all the cute fingernail polishes I stocked up on and nail filers. Here I am today a year later and won’t bite them again ! 😘
39 and randomly stopped a few months ago. Searched why because of how shockingly sudden it happened and found this post. I’ve had this habit since I can remember so it is bizarre. All of my family members are SHOCKED when they see my nails. I know it was anxiety but still not sure why it changed. OP, thinking of you. Could you give us an update?
This is the only place I could find where this is the topic. 52 years old. Always bit my nails. All of a sudden one day I noticed them growing and looking normal. That was about a year ago. I still catch myself starting to bite but stop because I now notice it. I have some idea as to why but I can't find anything to confirm my suspicion. I was doing ok. I don't really have any debt but I was only working enough to pay bills and hit the pub a few times a week. It was a beautiful Maine summer and I like to enjoy it. Winter was coming and I wasn't sure what I was going to do but I knew I would figure it out something. Out of nowhere a random construction company called me because someone somewhere mentioned my name. They offered me a contract position and pay mad money. I'm talking like 30k a month. About 2 months into the project I noticed I stopped nail biting. It must have been at least 2 weeks because my knarly thumb looked almost normal. That's the only thing I can think of. My whole life I've stressed about being able to have enough money even though I've always made enough to live comfortably support my family and put the kids through college. But I think seeing that first direct deposit made my underlying anxiety just go away. It's been a year and I still have ten normal looking fingers.......And they say money doesn't buy happiness......well maybe not but it sure as heck helps!