Self-Harm Recovery Daily Check-in: Thursday April 2nd, 2020
Hello, everyone! Welcome to the new month, new in many senses of the word. New routines, a new normal, new rules and restrictions, new things we have to think to do. And in times of social isolation, whether enforced or self-driven, things can get difficult.
So in saying that, I'd like to talk about coping techniques today. The main types of coping techniques fall under two categories: distraction and processing. Distraction techniques are what they sound like: activities designed to help us temporarily ignore the problem at hand. Processing tools are activities that help us to digest, process and organise our emotions.
Here are the checkin questions for today:
1. How are you? Is there anything you'd like to share with us?
2. How do you cope during tough times without resorting to self-harm?
3. What is your favourite coping technique?
4. What is a coping technique you think that isn't talked about often?
5. Do you have any tips on dealing with tough times?
Take good care of yourselves everyone, and know that we'll make it through. We've made it through all the tough times, we can make it through this one as well.
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@rebecca947
1. How are you? Is there anything you'd like to share with us?
Surprisingly, I am good today, happy even. Not really. Not much going w me these days. Mainly busy in studies and art and stuff.
2. How do you cope during tough times without resorting to self-harm?
Either it's that or I write. It depends actually, If its really big I shut myself off from the world and just write. If its triggering than i cut and cry and be pathetic.
3. What is your favourite coping technique?
Writing. It's not just expressing yourself, you know. You can enter a whole different world whose author is you. You can change your situations. You can avoid them . You can feel them. With writing comes power,you know.
4. What is a coping technique you think that isn't talked about often?
Art. Expressing yourself in whatever way you want through art i think is the best coping method. Sing or hear msic. Write or read book. Paint. Dance. It really helps.
5. Do you have any tips on dealing with tough times?
Not really. I shut myself off during tough times so I ca't give any tips. But i guess you know atleast acknowledging the situation and admiting it can help sometimes.
@youandmesohappily
Hello, Happily! Thats so good to hear you were happy! :) hows your art going along? Crying isnt pathetic, its a really good and sometimes cathartic way of coping and releasing our emotions. As long as its helping you, its perfectly fine and encouraged!
I love the way you describe how writing is for you. They say the most powerful weapon is a pen.
Art comes in so many forms, I agree that its not talked about enough.
Yes, for sure acknowledging helps. From acknowledgment comes perspective, possible solutions or acceptance. Great tip.
Take care of yourself xx
@rebecca947
Thanks! I know right. No, i wasn't saying crying is pathetic. I meant when i feel like I am being pathetic, you know just mopping around andbeing straight out pathetic.
1. How are you? Is there anything you'd like to share with us?
unfortunately I have a hard day today
2. How do you cope during tough times without resorting to self-harm?
I'm not able to
3. What is your favourite coping technique?
I don't have one
4. What is a coping technique you think that isn't talked about often?
I can not answer this
5. Do you have any tips on dealing with tough times?
I have no idea
@emylly
Hello, Emylly! I
@rebecca947 Hey - How are you?
I'm ok for the most part - seem to go between depression and anxiety. I haven't harmed in 4 months - that for me is a big deal - I have to admit though - the urges have been there
Distractions! Lots and lots of distractions
A favorite coping method is either going for a walk or drawing - not so much the butterfly project but spiders lol
I think one of the biggest ones is to go for a walk - sometimes the change of scenery and environment can get us away from the tools we use. Paying attention to the outside world - birds - the breeze - the scents and sounds of the outside world can be grounding and help get our minds off the urges
Sometimes it helps to talk to someone - to get out what it is we're thinking. Remembering that places like here exist and that there are others who are dealing with the same thing and that we're not alone with what we're dealing with
Take care
@mytwistedsoul
Hello, Soul! That is awesome! Im so proud of you ❤️ that sucks going between depression and anxiety, though. It sounds like youve been coping with it alright? I hope so. I think the urges will be there more often than not. Its just how we deal with and manage them that changes.
Lmao thats alright about the project xD thank you so much for participating in it ❤️ I really appreciate your support! I agree with distractions, they can really help. And walking- fresh air, mindfulness and some movement, a great combination.
So true, I love your tips. Were all dealing with it in one way or another, and this site is really special in that it offers emotional support everywhere you turn! :) I love that about this site.
Take good care of yourself, its so nice talking to you here xx
@mytwistedsoul
Hello!
Glad to hear you are feelig okay and you haven't harmed yourself! That's great. What types of distractions do you find helpful? Sounds like you have great coping methods that really help you.Talking to someone really helps.
Hope you have a great weekend and stay safe
1. How are you? Is there anything you'd like to share with us?
I'm doing pretty good today. It's 9 am so I can't really say much for the rest of the day, but my mom is home today so we're probably going to watch some tv for most of the day until my brother asks me to play Minecraft with him.
2. How do you cope during tough times without resorting to self-harm?
My worst coping mechanism is eating out of boredom, but I also have good coping mechanisms like knitting, watching tv, playing video games, writing, and drawing.
3. What is your favourite coping technique?
My favorite coping technique would have to be writing because while it fills my time and I have fun with it, I can also post it on writing sites and other people can read my work. So I'm making me happy as well as the people who read my writing.
4. What is a coping technique you think that isn't talked about often?
A coping technique that I don't think is talked about often is just watching whatever outside your window whether it be cars, birds, or the leaves on trees.
5. Do you have any tips on dealing with tough times?
This might sound like it's said too many times but take a few breaths first, have your three meals of the day, find something that you love to do at home that isn't hurting yourself, and if you have to go out, make sure to wear gloves and other protective gear, when you get home, make sure to wash up and take a shower that's not too hot, but at the same time relaxing.
@LogyBear
Hey, Bear! I hope your day ended up being well. Its good that you acknowledge your good and not so good coping mechanisms. How can we reduce the eating out of boredom? It sounds like its one that you dont want around as you say its your worst one? If Im misunderstanding, please let me know!
I used to love writing, too. Lots of fiction, dabbled for a while in poetry. What style of writing is yours?
Yes, watching a different environment and watching things outside of your usual life can be really helpful. You can incorporate mindfulness in it if you wanted, AND you can do it even in these circumstances! How good! I should do that more often, thanks for that!
To be honest, I think that isnt said enough! Taking care of your basic needs. And I find showers relaxing and make you feel so much better afterwards. I cant pinpoint why it makes me feel that way, but it does. Taking care of your basic physical needs and hygiene is just as important as taking care of your emotional needs.
Thank you for your input! ❤️
@rebecca947
The rest of my day did go well.
I think that I could lessen my eating out of boredom by just finding something else to do. I don't like it because my metabolism will slow down eventually and if I still eat out of boredom, it's not going to go well for me. Even though now I'm underweight, if I keep on doing that then I could start gaining more weight than needed to be in a healthy state. I could also just change what I eat, like instead of chips or other junk food, I could start eating carrots and other things that are healthy when I'm bored so it's not so bad for me.
I like writing fiction the most, or more specifically fanfiction. I write it for a fandom called Sanders Sides by Thomas Sanders on YouTube. Just yesterday I started a new human au story where each of the characters has a different phobia that makes it hard for them to go about their daily lives.
@LogyBear
Those alternatives sound great. I hope you can implement them, one by one. And I love the new story you're creating! That sounds so good, the type I'm interested in reading. Enjoy it!
@rebecca947
1. How are you? Is there anything you'd like to share with us?
I'm ok-ish. My gums and jaw still hurts from having that tooth pulled out. I'm still taking pain meds, and feel kinda numb most of the time. I have been at my new appartment today too (I am moving in at may 15th) and it was a good place. There is already some furnature so I'm all good. Don't have to think a lot about lights and such as it's already there. I'm really happy about the appartment. It's not as small as I thought, and I have a washing mascine already in the appartment. I'm looking forward very much to move in!
Not much more is happening in my life right now. I'm just chilling and trying not to get too restless, bc I can't go for my bikerides, bc I have stitches in my mouth and are not allowed to move too much or strain myself in any way, or the stitches might open! So I guess I just have to sit at home and go for short walks. That's all I can do now.
2. How do you cope during tough times without resorting to self-harm?
Normally I would go for bikerides or walks, but as I can't atm I feel very restless and the urge to SH is kinda strong. But I haven't done anything yet, and I intend to keep it that way. I don't wanna do it.
3. What is your favourite coping technique?
Working out is my number one CT, but as I can't do it atm I am writing a lot and drawing. And watching series on Netflix too. Makes me happy that I can at least do something productive like writing. I have a goal of 30k this month, hopefully I'm halfway through this time next week!
4. What is a coping technique you think that isn't talked about often?
Good question actually. I know you shouldn't encourage SH, but sometimes it's the only thing that helps. And just cutting very little to release some stress can be better than holding out in a long time and then cut very deep.
5. Do you have any tips on dealing with tough times?
Just use your body, and get tired. It's good for you, and even if you are stressed you can still sleep.
@EvilRegalsReadToo
Heya, Regals! Oh my, that sounds super painful 😭 I hope youll be back to normal soon. Im glad the pain meds are working though and making you feel numb. Well, it certainly sounds better than feeling the pain. The apartment sounds so exciting! Are you moving out of your parents place, or moving from your own place to a different place? If I may ask, why are you moving? Im just curious, but skip the question if youd rather not answer ❤️ Sounds like not horrible timing though, not having to do too much. Im not sure how bad it is where you are though.
The intention sounds very strong, first step towards not doing it! What other things can we do to replace your usual coping skills? Are there any alternatives to that? For bike rides, I can think of stationary bikes (not a common thing to have in the house of course, but just as an example of what I mean). Or what other alternatives to self-harm can we use? Examples include ice cubes in your hand, ice cold showers, rubber bands on wrists, drawing on where you want to self-harm...
That sounds awesome! What series? :o I need more recommendations to make having a Netflix subscription worth it! Good luck with the writing, be sure to update us! If I remember next week, Ill try to ask you about it. No guarantees because my memory is horrible...
Mmm, I can see where youre coming from, but Im not too sure. There are definitely coping techniques that help, but maybe we havent found them yet. It takes a whole lot of self-discipline for someone with urges to do that, and not want to do more.
Yes, very true! Love that tip, think thats one thats also not talked about enough :o at least, not in my world lol
Take good care of yourself ❤️
@rebecca947
Yeah, it hurts like a bitch the last few hours before the next pill, but they are gonna take out my stitches by monday, so hopefully it's a lot better then 
I'm moving from my parents' place to my own, and I'm moving bc I have a really toxic relationship with my mom and I need to get outta here. She gets very very nasty when we argue and I can't live with her anymore. I just wanna get outta here and get my own place. I should soon after all, as I'm soon 24 y/o.
"Limitless" is very very good. If you haven't watched "orange is the new black" yet, you should! Other than that I have fallen in love with the anime series "Deathnote" and "B: the beginning". I like "One day at a time" too and everything Pokemon is great! Other stuff worth watching is "Merlin" and the first three seasons of "Once upon a time" 
It's ok if you don't remember, I will probably mention it again, lol 
@rebecca947 Thank you for posting rebecca <3
1. How are you? Is there anything you'd like to share with us?
I'm doing well! This week has been insanely productive between 7 cups, school, and online school for me and I just feel slightly proud of how much I'm able to accomplish.
2. How do you cope during tough times without resorting to self-harm?
I busy myself a lot. I stay away from even the idea of self-harm in my brain by having a lot of coping activities to do like exercise, yoga, meditation, journaling, art, online classes.. pretty much everything in the world before I even think about self harm.
3. What is your favourite coping technique?
Exercise!!!
4. What is a coping technique you think that isn't talked about often?
If you cut as self harming, try putting a rubber band or a hair tye and everytime you think about it you kinda snap it against your wrist if that makes sense. It helped me get through a rough month not so long ago without breaking my 2 year streak.
5. Do you have any tips on dealing with tough times?
Yeah pm me :) but mainly my tip right now for covid is to remember that everyone is going through this which means that you have support all around you!
@TheAtticusFinch
Heya, Atticus! Thats awesome how youre so productive and motivated! You should most definitely be VERY proud of yourself. Youve done a whole lot! ❤️ whats been helping that productivity?
Having lots of coping tools in our toolbox is so useful, because sometimes we dont feel like doing some of them... but there is usually always one that we think Maybe... I can try that... maybe... and thats always better than nothing.
Haha exercise is amazing. What type do you usually do?
I do love those coping tool suggestions, alternatives to self-harm.
Haha yes, I love that! I hope people read your message and PM you if needed. Thank you for offering yourself out there ❤️ and I LOVE your tip a lot, because how true is it... yet so many of us forget that sometimes because were too focused on our own life. Not a bad thing by any means, but very true for myself.
Take good care of yourself, and I hope the rest of your week is just as productive! :D
@rebecca947
I've been using the Pomodoro method (25 min work and 5 min break) to help stay focused and I have an app called forest on my phone that locks me out of it so that really helps get all my distractions. out of the way. Personally i think being really interesting in what I'm learning helps me be more productive too. :)
Yeah for sure it's important to give people so so so many alternatives to unhealthy coping mechanisms like self harm!
I did have a productive week, thank you for wishing me that and I hope you have one too :)
