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Originally Posted by Perna
How we self-soothe is personal and I don't believe it does any harm but there are probably better/worse ways to self-soothe than others? If you needed to self-soothe in a public place, at work, etc., then what would you do?
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Slip off into a bathroom, or sit in my car, if doing something I don't want someone else to see me doing?
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Originally Posted by Perna
We all have stress and disappointments throughout our lives but we deal with them differently as we go along and find different methods. You use to smoke, for example, and some people drink or overeat, etc. Now you enjoy sucking your thumb. I don't think it is wholly non-habit; try not sucking your thumb for a week, see how "easy" that is?
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Oh, I could easily go a week or more, maybe even months. It's rare, actually. But I was considering stepping it up, because it won't trigger asthma as going back to smoking would, damage my liver as going back to drinking would, or elevate my blood sugar as going back to overeating would.
But then, if I totally refrained from sucking my thumb, I probably would eat more to compensate. Given this, I see your point about habit.
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Originally Posted by Perna
I don't think judging how we cope is worthwhile, giving our methods positive or negative names ("childish").
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I'm not sure "childish" is a negative term. Merely descriptive.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Perna
It is what it is and can be amended by replacement habits or by dealing with underlying causes so it is not "needed", etc. If you enjoy it and it does not cause you or those you love around you any problems, then I say go with it. But if you are questioning it, then maybe talk to your/a therapist about it and see what's going on underneath and driving the habit? I use to have a habit that interfered with my life for 45+ years but had a lot of therapy and the habit went away, not needed anymore. The time engaged in the habit is more "mine" now, to do other things I'd rather do and think about other things I'd rather think about.
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Probably worth a mention to my therapist. The thumb sucking as well as the desire to play with toys, wear pigtails, use baby talk, and pretend I'm just learning to read and write. I'm looking for an affirming experience while I'm in the role of a child, since I didn't get one before.
Thanks for your input.