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The Butterfly Project

SunFern October 22nd, 2017

What is The Butterfly Project?

The Butterfly Project is focused on motivating individuals struggling with self-harm to quit it. The idea is simple. The person simply draws a butterfly on their place(s) of self-harm and, if the butterfly fades without them self-harming, it means it has lived and flown away, giving them a sense of achievement. Whereas if they do self-harm with the butterfly there; they will have to wash it off. If that does happen, they can start again by drawing a new one on.

The rules are pretty simple:

1. When you feel like you want to cut, take a marker, pen, or sharpies and draw a butterfly on your arm or hand.

2. Name the butterfly after a loved one, or someone that really wants you to get better.

3. You must let the butterfly fade naturally. NO scrubbing it off.

4. If you cut before the butterfly is gone, you have killed it. If you don't cut, it lives.

5. If you have more than one butterfly, cutting kills all of them.

6. Another person may draw them on you. These butterflies are extra special. Take good care of them.

7. Even if you don't cut, feel free to draw a butterfly anyways, to show your support. If you do this, name it after someone you know that cuts or is suffering right now, and tell them. It could help.

31
AnyaS April 29th, 2018

The Butterfly Project is a wonderful project.

I was going to make a post about this but decided to search it up and see if someone else had already done so, and you did it so well!

Thank you for sharing this with our community, Sun!

@SunFern

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@zizy

CaliforniaGurl56 April 29th, 2018

I've been seriously considering cutting and I honestly think this is an amazing project. Thank you for this @SunFern. Thank you...

I really hope this helps me and others in the same situation a ton.

Image result for butterflies creative commons

1 reply
AnyaS August 29th, 2018

Hey there! Just wanted to check in on you and see how you are doing? heart

We are here for you!

@CaliforniaGurl56

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CaliforniaGurl56 April 29th, 2018

I've named them all after family and friends (and my pets, duh!)

Here they are:

Here they are...

3 replies
AnyaS April 29th, 2018

They are absolutely beautiful, just like you!

Take care of them, they deserve it, and I know you can do it!

@CaliforniaGurl56

2 replies
CaliforniaGurl56 April 29th, 2018

Thank you @AnyaS

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RikTeson March 29th

@SunFern

I love this idea.

I’ve been struggling for days on knowing I shouldn’t harm but feeling the urge to. And I came across this post. I can’t draw but it’s not about that. This message was inspiring. Thank you 💙