There are so many bad habits out there. Some are small, unnoticeable habits, while others make you end up on the TLC show “My Strange Addiction.” I always see people making it their New Year Resolution or monthly goal to break some of their bad habits. But most of the time, these goals aren’t reached. Or they are, but the bad habit arises again shortly after.

I started biting my nails younger than I can even imagine. I compulsively tore at them until they were sore and bleeding. Not only did it hurt, but it also looked gross to whoever witnessed me with my fingers in my mouth, or whoever paid close attention to them.

The most important thing to understand is that I didn’t want to be biting them. It was just a habit that I thought was impossible to break.

I tried New Year’s Resolutions. I tried painting my nails nicely, getting fake nails put on, and even the gross tasting nail polish that is designed to break this habit. And through it all, I could not stop biting. There was no lack of motivation—I wanted my nails to look nice. Often times, I was jealous of those whose nails looked perfectly painted and filed.

So, while accepting my defeat, I went away to college with nubs for nails. As the weeks went by, one of my nails was actually able to grow past my skin (who knows how this nail happened to avoid my teeth). Seeing that nail grow pushed me to see if I could let it grow more.

By the time Thanksgiving break rolled around, my nails were all long and my habit was gone. The nicer they looked, the more I wanted them to get longer and healthier. And every time I look down at them, I am so surprised I was actually able to stop—without doing anything special.

So many of my close friends and family asked me what finally broke the bad habit. The funny part is that I didn’t really have a solid answer. I just reply with, “One day I just challenged myself to stop slowly.”

I’m not saying everyone’s bad habit can be stopped like mine was. And I’m definitely not saying that it’s easy. However, I don’t think everyone should wait around to make a resolution or monthly goal. Waiting just postpones it further. Plus, you shouldn’t wait to prove that your resolution is working or show that you’re reaching your goal. Breaking your bad habit should be something you want for yourself.

I’m lucky I was able to stop biting my nails. There are some days I catch myself going to do it again. But then I remind myself of the disappointment I will feel later after I do it, and then biting them is no longer worth it.

Don’t go trying crazy or special tricks to kick your bad habit. Put the trust in yourself and challenge yourself to benefit no one but you.