newbie here!

@zaylie1

Hi Zaylie! Welcome to 7 Cups! It's really brave of you to reach out for support and share what you're going through. I'm glad you've found a helpful community here.

I hear that you're dealing with some really challenging struggles with self-harm, anxiety, and intrusive thoughts. These are heavy burdens to carry, especially as a minor, and it's completely understandable to be looking for help and advice.

Since your safety is really important, I want to make sure you know there are always people ready to help:

- Crisis Text Line (US): Text HOME to 741741

- The Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ youth): 1-866-488-7386

- Your school counselor or a trusted adult

For dealing with anxiety and intrusive thoughts, here are some gentle suggestions that might help:

- Deep breathing exercises (like box breathing: breathe in for 4, hold for 4, out for 4)

- Grounding techniques (like naming 5 things you can see, 4 you can touch, 3 you can hear, etc.)

- Creative outlets like art, music, or writing

- Getting outside for short walks when possible

When you're having urges to self-harm, some safer alternatives include:

- Holding an ice cube

- Drawing on yourself with a red marker

- Squeezing a stress ball

- Wrapping yourself tightly in a blanket

Remember that your feelings are valid, but they aren't permanent. You deserve support and care while working through these challenges. Would you like to share more about what specific situations trigger your anxiety? Sometimes talking things through can help us understand our patterns better.

just be yourself and be honest and if you need to talk i’m here

@zaylie1

Zaylie It looks like you accidentally signed up on an adult account. Please contact admin at community@7cups.com and let them know you're a minor/your age proper birthday and username and transfer over. I am going to tag our community manager @Heather225 and another great admin with the teens @Bookworm4 ! This is for your safety!

@zaylie1

Hi zaylie, my name is Naomi. I've dealt with sh and anxiety before, just like you. Honestly i don't really know what advice i should give you, but i want to tell you this.

I used to struggle with a LOT of self-hate that led to me using sh as an unhealthy coping mechanism. I don't know why you're self-harming, but i hope one day you'll be able to find more positive ways to cope, like talking to a friend, art and music therapy, etc. And remember that, your skin isn't paper, so don't cut it. Your inner critic might tell you awful things like " i'm worthless or i'm a failure." But don't listen to it, because they're all LIES. You are a valuable person, so please, don't hurt yourself, because you have value. You deserve to be treated in a kind and respectful way, but you have to treat yourself in that way too, by eating well, exercising, and trying to stop sh. 

Oh, and also, try your best to counter the negative thoughts by replacing them with more positive thoughts. But always remember that it takes time, and it isn't something that you can do overnight. And if you relapse, then that's okay, because relapses are just part of the healing process. They aren't the opposite of it. 

I hope this helps at least a bit, sending you hugs and support 💙