Hello, hello.
I’m Taipan, I’m 45 years old, and I’ve been self-harming since I was 10 years old. I’m a skin picker at heart, but I also engage in mental/emotional self-harm by doing stupid things that trigger my anxieties and leave me asking “Why did I do that?” and feeling horribly guilty for days, weeks, and in some cases, months. My big physical self-harm issue currently is scalp-picking, which gets particularly bad during times of stress or emotional upset. I’m a perfectionist, and I’m genuinely irritated with myself that after 45 years, I’m still so far from getting things right.
Hi Taipan. I'm sorry that you're currently dealing with these struggles. It's okay to not be perfect at things and struggle with getting things right. I think it's important to try to not be too hard on yourself and to give yourself the leeway to make mistakes. Being imperfect and making mistakes are what make us human, and although our mistakes may make us imperfect, they can also make us stronger/more resilient as people if we choose to learn from them and keep moving forward. I suggest maybe reaching out to someone you feel emotionally comfortable with for emotional support whenever you feel bad about yourself or feel like harming yourself. It's okay to struggle with getting things right. Even when we do get things right, there's still always something else to get wrong and learn from. We wouldn't be as resilient as people or appreciate the beauty of certain things in life if there wasn't an inherent learning curve or struggle to become better at things.
Thanks for your kind reply, Akshay.
@taipan788
Hello, Taipan! It is very nice to meet you. I can see that you're going through a pretty difficult time in your life right now. I am beyond proud of you for reaching out to 7 Cups, because we all want you to know that you are not alone in this and that we will be here to support you during these times. I understand what it's like to be a perfectionist and to struggle with getting things right, and it's overwhelming and exhausting. However, I can see how much strength you have in your heart, and making mistakes is what makes us human, and gives us to chance to make improvements through small steps. Coming on here shows that you want to make a difference in your life, and that is so admirable. Your resiliency is spectacular, and even through the guilt and emotional stress, your strength is unique and beautiful. The way I like to think of it- our actions don't influence our character, but the way we re-evaluate our choices and search for a way to make a difference. Even though you may not see that now, there is an extensive support system that will stand behind you as you go through this journey, and we're so proud of you for taking the first step- reaching out. ❤️
Thanks TB, I appreciate that so much!
@taipan788
You are very welcome! 😊
@taipan788
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