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Jenna profile picture
Things no one tells you about Self-Harm: Trigger Warning
by Jenna
Last post
 September 5th
...See more Everyone mentions the same things when they talk about self-harm. This is what I wish someone told me about self-harm before I fell into its tight gripping claws. 1) It's not only the cuts/bruises/burns/scratches that you have to hide. You have to hide the bloodied tissues, the used band-aids, the band-aid wrapper, and the thing you used to harm. 2) When you shower the dried blood drips out of your band-aid and down your body creating little dark red, almost brown, colored streams. It scares you at first because you think it's opened again. 3) It becomes an addiction. It becomes the only thing that helps. 4) It eventually doesn't help anymore but you keep doing it in the hope it will. 5) Your body will scar and at first, you will like it but eventually, you get sick looking at them. 6) On a bad day, you run out of space. 7) Your band-aids will soak through your jeans or top after a shower and make an obvious square or rectangle patch. 8) They start to smell bad if not looked after. 9) You constantly think about them. 10) Your sleep will hurt and every move you make will too when they are fresh. You act as you like it. You don't. 11) People will never take it seriously enough. 12) They itch like mad whilst they heal. 13) You eventually get frustrated if it has no effect. 14) You don't cry when you do it. You feel nothing. Not. A. Thing. 15) It's so so so hard to escape it. 16) It isn't beautiful. It isn't a fairy tale. It won't help you find love. It is a monster that ruins lives. Please think of all these things before you hurt yourself. You don't want to. I sound like a hypocrite because I do but trust me, you don't want to fall down the dark hole that I and many other people are already in. Put down your fist, blade, lighter, cut your nail short, and get help.
ASilentObserver profile picture
Self-Harm Awareness Week: A Letter of Self-Kindness
by ASilentObserver
Last post
 September 1st
...See more Hello everyone,  This week, from March 6th to 10th, we are dedicating efforts to raise awareness about self-harm [https://www.7cups.com/forum/selfharm/WelcomesIntroductionsIcebreakers_253/SelfHarmAwarenessWeekHealingThroughSelfCompassionConnectionMarch6th10th_348138/]and foster a safe, supportive space for healing. Our theme, "Healing Through Self-Compassion & Connection," explores the importance of understanding, empathy, and practical tools for navigating difficult emotions. This exercise is part of it, and I hope you all try it.  We invite you to participate in a meaningful exercise: A Letter of Self-Kindness.  It is your safe space to express *any* feelings you have, whether positive, negative, or somewhere in between and focus on being kinder to yourself in your words. Please know there are no rules here.  You need to be honest, be vulnerable, and be you.  It is more about connecting with yourself and fostering a more mindful and kind relationship with yourself. You can do it in two ways:  1. Take a piece of paper and pen and write a letter to yourself. And let us know if you did it here in this thread and how it makes you feel.  2. If you are comfortable sharing your letter with us, you can share it here in this thread, and we all can reflect and further discuss it as you feel comfortable.   3. Anyone can do this exercise, and it is not limited to the ones who struggle with SH.  Some tips to get started * Address Yourself with Compassion: Begin your letter with a gentle and kind address, such as "Dear [Your Name]," or "To My Heart," or "To the Part of Me That Needs Kindness." * Start by acknowledging the challenges you have faced. You might write something like: "I know you've been going through a tough time," or "I see the pain you're carrying." * Write words of encouragement and support to yourself. Remind yourself that you are worthy of kindness and compassion. Whether you choose to share it with us or keep it private is entirely up to you.  We are simply here to encourage and support you on this journey of self-kindness and acceptance. Who's ready to write their letter?  Let's begin
ASilentObserver profile picture
Shine Bright: I am SH-free for ____ Days
by ASilentObserver
Last post
 September 1st
...See more Well done! 💪✨  (Number) days free from self-harm is a significant accomplishment.  Please take a moment to acknowledge your strength and resilience and celebrate with us. Here are a few points to reflect on and celebrate:  * What helped you stay strong these past few days? Was it a specific coping mechanism, a supportive person, or a personal mantra? Share your tips to inspire others. * What positive changes have you noticed since being SH-free? Maybe you have more energy, better sleep, or a renewed sense of hope. Reflect on the progress you've made. * What are you looking forward to in the future? Use this milestone as a springboard for setting new goals or focusing on activities you enjoy. * Write a message to your future self: What words of encouragement would you tell yourself for the days ahead? Start sharing with us. We believe in you. 
brenbird profile picture
4 months
by brenbird
Last post
 4 hours ago
...See more Today I am exactly 4 months clean, yet I had to stop myself from cutting but using one of my coping strategies that I haven't used in months, drawing with red ink. I hope I can continue to stay clean. 
affectionatePine4691 profile picture
Postpartum issues
by affectionatePine4691
Last post
 1 day ago
...See more I have noticed something new in my behavior.I am quite scared I started hurting myself from last few months and this month I tried like 4 to 5 times. I am doing this only when am getting into fights with my husband. He wont change his behavior I know but I don't know why am doing this. He keeps on blaming me so I started punishing myself.
TheSweetNight profile picture
How to deal with such thoughts?
by TheSweetNight
Last post
 3 days ago
...See more I've talked to the teacher and parents about my thoughts. I also do occupational therapy every Monday and Saturday. Then I was told to join a community and keep myself busy with activities. I want to join a community. But I have so many thoughts, like I'm not ready for college, I'm afraid of failing to be independent while in college and being a burden to my parents, I feel like my life is worthless, and I'm afraid of becoming a tool in a capitalist system that oppresses people. Sometimes it's hard for me to enjoy or stay engaged with an activity. Idk my thoughts are messy and that I feel hopeless at times like idk why I'm here. So like, how do I deal with such thoughts?
NoxVeyra028 profile picture
In need of a friend
by NoxVeyra028
Last post
 3 days ago
...See more I have to self harm in secret cuz my hubby will just yell at me and call me *** idiot and tell me how stupid my generation is. Just stands their point his finger in my face yelling for hours ....
Livy001 profile picture
Advice on sh
by Livy001
Last post
 Saturday
...See more I want to know ways people have stopped sh because it's been a rough journey for me and I cant seem to let it go. I've tried before but when I was clean I still felt horrible, sometimes even worse, and I want to try and stop that feeling or at least calm it down. I've been struggling with depression for years and I want to be able to live a normal life rather then letting it control me. The first step to that is stopping this addiction, any advice?
pinkiepie1724 profile picture
recovery
by pinkiepie1724
Last post
 Thursday
...See more i am 6 days into my decision to recover. i had a small slip on Monday night that barely resulted in a mark, so I dont know whether to count it. what I do know is over the last 6 days I have been working so hard to cope in healthy ways
maggieisntwell profile picture
I need advice
by maggieisntwell
Last post
 Wednesday
...See more I just did self harm and I don't know how to stop it, everytime my chest hurts and my brain gets filled with noise I run to my blade or do cigarette burns. Everything feels 10x worse without my partner, I feel so miserable and I can't even focus on school nor my job.
Livy001 profile picture
The sad but needed truth
by Livy001
Last post
 September 6th
...See more I've been on a recovery journey for almost a year now. More specifically being clean for a year, recovery has been for many lol. But I need to be honest about how I've been. I last posted about my relapse and how it didn't count which it does, i had made that post in a bad state of mind and couldn't accept I still need help. I've relapsed a few more times after that, I didn't tell anyone but my bf about it. For me personally it's best not to tell anyone so I'm going to keep my "clean streak" for them. But for myself I'm going to keep working on being better, even if that means admitting the hard things. I'm an addict and I'm addicted to sh. I struggle with staying clean and I tend to snap a lot more when I try to be clean. Relapse is part of the process and I don't sh as much as I use too. I see myself growing but I needed to hear myself say that I'm still not okay instead of lying. I will continue my journey to a safe recovery on here and I appreciate all the support from this app. I hope to truly reach a year clean but for now we are starting fresh.
pinkiepie1724 profile picture
harm reduction
by pinkiepie1724
Last post
 September 5th
...See more the last 2 weeks I have self harmed to the point that my arms are covered in scabs. this is gross and inconvenient. and my family and friends are sad and scared. ive learned that you cant really stop overnight but its time for some serious reduction
Jenna profile picture
Things no one tells you about Self-Harm: Trigger Warning
by Jenna
Last post
 September 5th
...See more Everyone mentions the same things when they talk about self-harm. This is what I wish someone told me about self-harm before I fell into its tight gripping claws. 1) It's not only the cuts/bruises/burns/scratches that you have to hide. You have to hide the bloodied tissues, the used band-aids, the band-aid wrapper, and the thing you used to harm. 2) When you shower the dried blood drips out of your band-aid and down your body creating little dark red, almost brown, colored streams. It scares you at first because you think it's opened again. 3) It becomes an addiction. It becomes the only thing that helps. 4) It eventually doesn't help anymore but you keep doing it in the hope it will. 5) Your body will scar and at first, you will like it but eventually, you get sick looking at them. 6) On a bad day, you run out of space. 7) Your band-aids will soak through your jeans or top after a shower and make an obvious square or rectangle patch. 8) They start to smell bad if not looked after. 9) You constantly think about them. 10) Your sleep will hurt and every move you make will too when they are fresh. You act as you like it. You don't. 11) People will never take it seriously enough. 12) They itch like mad whilst they heal. 13) You eventually get frustrated if it has no effect. 14) You don't cry when you do it. You feel nothing. Not. A. Thing. 15) It's so so so hard to escape it. 16) It isn't beautiful. It isn't a fairy tale. It won't help you find love. It is a monster that ruins lives. Please think of all these things before you hurt yourself. You don't want to. I sound like a hypocrite because I do but trust me, you don't want to fall down the dark hole that I and many other people are already in. Put down your fist, blade, lighter, cut your nail short, and get help.
cheerfulKiwi1776 profile picture
Self-harm help Monday 9
by cheerfulKiwi1776
Last post
 September 3rd
...See more One more self harm help mondsy to go 🍃 Every Monday, reply with your 3 'W's in the comments: 1. ​Win: What is one small victory you had this week? (Even if it’s just 1 hour clean, or using a distraction tactic). 2. ​Wave: Did you face a heavy wave/urge this week? How did you ride it out? 3. ​Word: What is one encouraging word or piece of advice you want to leave for the person who comments after y​ou? Lets set our rules now: • The Buddy Reply Rule: Once you post your update, please read the comment right above yours and leave them a message of encouragement, a heart emoji, or a supportive thought! • The Support Rule: Please be supportive to one another! Avoid unnecessary advices. Show empathy!  Our reminder: 💡 Reminder: You are more than your scars🍃
Brightlynx77 profile picture
🌻September Is Here: Let’s Choose Hope🌻
by Brightlynx77
Last post
 September 1st
...See more September is here. And with it comes Suicide Prevention Month a month dedicated to something incredibly important- Awareness, compassion, connection, and hope. There are moments in life when the world can feel unbearably heavy. Sometimes, a person who seems perfectly fine on the outside may be quietly struggling on the inside. We may never know the battles someone is carrying unless we create a space where they feel safe enough to speak. That is why awareness matters. Suicide prevention isn't only about knowing what to say during a crisis. It is also about building communities where people feel seen before they reach a breaking point, heard without judgment, and valued simply for being themselves. A conversation can begin with something as small as- "How have you really been lately?" "I'm here if you want to talk." "You don't have to go through this alone." We don't always need to have the perfect answer. We don't need to solve someone's problems for them. Sometimes, listening with patience and staying beside someone emotionally can be incredibly meaningful. 🌱 This September, let's remember to- 💛 Check in on the people around us just not only when something seems wrong. 💛 Listen without immediately judging, dismissing, or trying to fix. 💛 Take someone's feelings seriously, even when we don't completely understand them. 💛 Encourage people who are struggling to reach out to trusted people and appropriate professional support. 💛 Make kindness something we practice every day, not just something we talk about during awareness months. And perhaps most importantly, let's remember that prevention begins with connection. One person reaching out. One person choosing to listen. One person reminding another that they matter. Small moments of compassion can create spaces where people feel less alone. So, as September begins, let's not only raise awareness let's raise the amount of kindness we give each other. Let's create communities where asking for help isn't something to be ashamed of, where difficult conversations can happen safely, and where people know that their presence has value. 🌻 You never know how much a little kindness might mean to someone. This September, let's choose to notice. Let's choose to listen. Let's choose compassion. Let's choose connection. 💛 And most importantly let's choose ourselves too 🌻

Hello, and welcome to the Self-Harm Recovery Subcommunity! It’s great to have you here, and we are proud of you for making the first brave step in reaching out for support. This is our supportive, safe and friendly environment, and we are glad to have you here 😃. Feel free to direct any questions to the appropriate leader of our community, which you can find at the bottom of the about section. ⭐️

🌟 Feel free to say hello and introduce yourself! Or if you want to just browse for now that is okay too! Take your time. We have several topics in our community such as the goals and success corner, recovery zone, support area and much more! Please use the relevant topic where appropriate so we can keep our community organised🌟

🌟 Please make sure to read through our community guidelines and browse our resources available 🌟

🌟 To join our community leadership team feel free to look through Here for the requirements and apply to join our team 🌟

🌟 Again, thank you for joining our community, and we look forward to seeing your progress on your journey! If you have any questions, please reach out to the relevant leader 😊

Community Guidelines

These guidelines are inspired by some communities around 7 cups! This is so we can adapt our little family to accommodate as many different life experiences and situations as possible. We recognize we cannot adapt to every circumstantial rule. However, we have outlined some of the common guidelines needed for our community. ❤️

✪ Please do not share any graphic images or descriptions of self-harm tools!

✪ Please do not mention the name of any tools used for self-harm in any area of the self-harm recovery community.

✪ Names of methods of self-harm are allowed to be shared in the group support room, but where possible please try to exchange a method name for the phrase "self-harm".

✪ When mentioning methods of self-harm or potentially triggering details of another topic in the forums, please put a trigger warning at the top of the post so people are able to click away from the post if they would like to. Additionally, please try to find an appropriate place within our forums to make your post. Certain areas are reserved for specific content, so please consider this when making your post.

✪ Pro-self-harm content will not be tolerated!

✪ Please be respectful to everyone, members and listeners alike.

✪ Remember, everyone's experiences are different. Please do not undermine or invalidate anyone's situation because it is not what most would consider "normal". We are a diverse community and have people from many backgrounds, so please always be respectful!

✪ General kindness, courtesy, and etiquette are heavily appreciated!

Read the 7 Cups Guidelines