Originally Posted by: KellyAM

After working on and off with the picks, thumbpicks and straight thumbs, I realized while it may seem easier, I'm better off learning to use the pick because I think it sounds better.

Another tip; try a lot of different picks. Dunlop makes variety packs. Spend a fewe bucks on a couple of variety packs and try different picks out. I had been using only one pick for decades (small, very stiff Dunlop Jazz III) but needed to get picks now that are more amenable to strumming (Jazz III's are not ideal for strumming). Because my long term (small) pick was so comfortable to me, playing a standard sized pick was like a dinner plate. So, I got a variety pack and have been trying different picks.

Point for you is that the pick stiffness and also the style you're playing might do well to find a pick that matches you.