My Recovery Journey
Hi everyone! I'm Panda β€οΈ
I've been struggling with self-harm for 4 years now. I'm starting a little journal here to document my self-harm recovery journey because self-harm is something I've been struggling to think and talk about. I still feel a lot of shame because I'm still fighting those urges after so many years, but I think it's finally time for me to have an open heart-to-heart with myself. I'm posting here for the people out there who are struggling with self-harm too. You're not alone, and I hope this can help you with your own recovery journey π
I'll be talking about both my past struggles and my current ones, and I'll label them accordingly. Feel free to respond if you like, it'd feel nice to know we're walking through this together π
I'm going to be okay. I don't have to get everything right. I'm learning and that's what's important. I don't have to be there for everyone.
but i'm sorry. I tried. I want to be a good friend. Sometimes I say the wrong thing and sometimes I mess up. I'm not always kind and helpful. I'm always a mess. I try my best, but sometimes I'm not enough. I'll keep trying, but I'm sorry if I wasn't a good friend.
I didn't relapse though! At least I've been getting by. I've been doing okay overall. trying to work on myself and be a better person when school reopens. I've wanted to sh again but I didn't do it. I think I'm getting better. Sometimes I still dissociate and feel really weird, but I'm getting better at noticing when I'm feeling particularly awful.
it gets better. it does. I just have to keep going
@honestpanda81
My loved friend, I'm so proud to read this entry. I'm happy that you're doing better and I'm so proud that you didn't sh even when you wanted to. I understand that there are some timed when there is an urge and I'm proud because you could control yourself.
I don't know why you say that you haven't been a good friend. You have! You're always so dedicated to everyone, so empathic and understanding. You owe nothing to everyone else and I hope you understand it. It is good that you are taking care of yourself now, I know it will do you good.
Please, don't forget that you have a friend that worries for you. You can always count on her.
I love you, my dear Pandita. πππ
@Kimmkimm
Kimmita, thank you for all your kind words. In Chinese there is a famous poem about friendship. Let me share it with you:
ζη½δΉθε°ζ¬²θ‘οΌ εΏ½ι»ε²ΈδΈθΈζε£°γ ζ‘θ±ζ½ζ°΄ζ·±εε°ΊοΌ δΈεζ±ͺδΌ¦ιζζ γ
It describes how the author was on about to continue his journey down the lake, when he heard footsteps on the shore. Though the waters of the lake were thousands of feet deep, it was incomparable to the depth of his friendship with the dear friend who had come to send him off.
Just as the mountains are tall and the oceans are deep, so vast is my love for you. With all of your support, and all of our friends, I know how deeply blessed I am, and how far I have been able to come. I am grateful that my journey has led me here.
I was only upset because I too feel like sometimes I've pretended to be happier and kinder than I really felt. Even though I love being able to raise everyone's spirits and have fun with everyone, it can be so hard to be positive when all my emotions are upside down.
But now I think I understand. I'm not supposed to be perfect. I can be the messy, broken, terrified, and turbulent person I am. I can be hnoest about what I'm struggling with, and be who I want to be. I only hope you'll still enjoy being around me all the same.
Thank you for being my friend all this time, Kimmita, I know I can always count on you, just as you can always count on me. β€οΈ
@honestpanda81
My Pandita:
I loved the poem. The way it conpares love with the depth of a lake is moving. As I told you once, I'm so happy and lucky to have been picked up by you on this journey. You're an invaluable person and I'm thankful to have you on my road. I know we will reach so far together.
I'm glad you understand that it is ok to be angry or to feel bad inside. I know it is hard to smile when you don't feel like so, and even when it can be soothing for other people, it is not something you have to do because you matter.
Therr is a video I want you to watch. I know it is a long video, but don't worry. The part I want you to watch goes from the minute 1:21 to 2:41, you can skip the rest. The video is in the following link:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YNuTRZSzMUQ
I love you, my Pandita π. I hope things are going better for you.
@Kimmkimm
I'm glad you enjoyed the poem β€οΈ I'm so grateful to have met you and been able to journey with you too, Kimmita. Your words mean so much to me, and it warms my heart to know that you value our friendship so much. I believe we'll go far together too, because of your strength and mine.
I watched the video, and it was such a good reminder. I know it's so hard to let go of wanting to help everyone be there for everyone, because I know what it feels like to be alone. But I can rest too. Thank you for the reminder, Kimmita, it really helped meβ€οΈ
I love you too, Kimmita. I have hope that things will get better. I hope the same for you too β€οΈ
@honestpanda81
π·π·
π
My family is not big on gifts. As far as I can remember my parents only ever picked out one gift for me, a little stuffed animal when I was seven. My parents ask me if I want anything as a birthday present, but I usually end up receiving some money instead of a gift.
So this year I decided to buy my brother a birthday present. I didn't really know what to get him, but when I saw a nice set of headphones I decided to ask him if he'd like one. That's when the torrent of bad thoughts came.
"stupid, stupid girl" "why the **** are you doing this?" "you're useless" "what the **** is wrong with you?" "why would you waste money on such a thing?" "he's going to be so irritated with you" " shouldn't you know him well enough to know what he likes?" " useless, stupid girl"
Over and over again. All I was doing was trying to get my brother a birthday present. When I look back now it was so silly. Those thoughts made no sense, and they had no ounce of truth in them. Those were the exact thoughts I'd spent years learning to fend off and hold back. Yet, they engulfed me in a matter of seconds. I nearly walked out of the store there and then and decided never to consider something so silly again.
The same thoughts convinced me not to wish my mum a happy birthday, which, frankly, I don't remember ever having done in my life. Twice. Twice they convinced me not to reach out to a friend for reconciliation after a year of pain and tension.
My brother loves his present. Of course he does, I spent half an hour carefully moving back and forth between options and even consulting him. None of the bad things I had imagined actually happened.
This time I won. This time I beat the bad thoughts and I went through with the perfectly normal and sweet thing I had decided to do. I'm learning, and I'm getting there, and that's enough. That's enough for today
@honestpanda81
My lovely and beautiful Pandita:
Bad thoughts can strike any moment and out of no where. And I recognize that it is hard to fight them. As unreasonable as they may be, they are accepted to be true and we end blaming ourselves without even understanding why. You have lots of reasons to think that and those are totally valid.
However, I want to emphasize on one thing: those thoughts are not true. You're not an stupid girl. You're clever and strong and you have shown me many times how to be reasonable over blaming myself. I hope you realize how incredibly sensible, prudent and cautious you are.
I'm glad your brother liked your present. I hope you feel satisfied and happy about having made the right choice. I hope you trust yourself a little more and I want you to remember that making mistakes is not a bad thing. The only ones that don't make mistakes are those that never try.
I love you, Pandita πππ I've always be proud of you and I've always admired you.
@Kimmkimm
Thank you for always encouraging me and supporting me, my dearest Kimmita. I understand, and I'll keep working on it. Please always remember say these words back to yourself too, because we all forget sometimes.
I'm so proud of you too, my brave, strong friend. I love you and cherish you β€οΈ
@honestpanda81
Hey panda!
I am so glad that you are fighting this thru lol
I have been struggling with SH about a year now. I was cleaned for two months until last week.
WHen those really harful thoughts strike me I just couldn't seem to hold the urge to hurt myself
SH does really make you rely on it as if it's the only that the pain would go away
I am happy to see you being possitive thoπ
@Jnyx
Hey J! β€οΈ
Thank you for your kind words, I really appreciate them.
I'm glad to hear that you're fighting through this too, though I'm sorry to hear about the relapse. It's happened to me a lot of times, as you'll be able to see in this thread.
Yea, the harmful thoughts really catch me off-guard sometimes, and it takes so much effort for me to power through them. They can be so overwhelming and feel so real. At my worst, it really is the only thing that helps.
But we fight the urge anyway. I've been learning to be kinder to myself, and to learn when my bad thoughts are telling me something that's not true. I'm learning to hold off SH for longer periods of time, and I'm learning to appreciate the little milestones I hit.
There was a time when I couldn't go a day without wanting to SH, but now I can go a week or two without even thinking about it. It gets better, J, it really does, if we put our heart into quitting. If you ever need help with it, you can always talk to me here β€οΈ
It's been some time since I last posted here, which I guess is good news. The urges still come occasionally, but they're not as strong and blinding as they used to be. I haven't hurt myself for about 4 months now, and that's progress.
Sometimes in the shower I still catch a glimpse of the scar that's left from several months ago, but it no longer triggers me. I used to feel deeply ashamed whenever I saw them, or thought about what I did. I knew it was bad, even while I was doing it. But cups has helped me learn to be kinder to myself.
I guess we all make mistakes. Life is full of ups and downs, and we've all done things we regret. I messed up, and I didn't take care of myself. But that's okay. As long as we keep going, we can always try again.
@honestpanda81
My dear Pandita, I'm so proud of you for those four months. I know you can keep going.
I couldn't read anymore. I'm sorry.
@Kimmkimm
Aw no I'm sorry, I shouldn't have included that. It's okay, I understand, you don't have to apologise. β€οΈ *gentle safe huggles*
I am so tired.
I'm just so tired. I keep trying, but I can't tell if I'm getting anywhere. I haven't relapsed but I feel like I'm paying for that now because my heart hurts so much. The emotions are too much. I don't know what to do with them. I have no more tears left. I feel like I have no more anger left, even though the resentment simmers. I wish my fear would run out too. I'm so afraid. I'm so lonely. I'm so sad. I don't know what to do. Somehow I have to keep going. I can't let go now. There are people who actually care about me now. Or, rather, I'm starting to see how they've always cared about me.
Even though it has never felt that way, I'll keep trying to remember and convince myself that home is safe. Home is safe. My room is safe. No one will come and hurt me here. My dad hasn't yelled at me for the past year. My mum hasn't tried to guilt me into opening up to her in the past year. The yelling at home isn't as much as it used to be. I've noticed that I've been talking a little more. I've been feeling a little happier these days than last year. Home is safe. They won't hurt me. My parents love me and try to be good parents to me. They haven't been doing very well but they still try. I try.
I still just want everything to be over. It's agony, knowing that too many people care too much about me now for me to have that option. I just have to go on with life. I'm scared that bad things will happen. Am I really safe here? I have to be. I'm safe here. I can't keep living in fear. Things will slowly get better. I have to trust in that.
@honestpanda81
Hello, my wonderful and amazing friend. How have you been?
It's been such a long time since we last talked and the first thing I want to tell you is that I miss you a lot. Did you know that you're one of the sweetest and caring persons I've ever met? You're a blessing in my life and I'll always be thankful for that. You're my friend, my lifemate, my grace.
I hope things are going fine for you, but if they aren't, I want to remember that you're such an strong and unstoppable girl, and it is ok to take a rest sometimes to regaing your strength to walk again. And you're not alone.
I love you, my Pandita. I love you so much and I wanted to tell you that I've progressed so much, and it is all thanks to you.
I love you ππ
@Kimmkimm
Hey Kimm β€οΈ I have been good. Life is stressful and overwhelming sometimes, but I'm taking it one day at a time. β€οΈ
It really has been so long since we've talked, and I want you to know that I miss you lots too β€οΈ I miss seeing your PMs when you see me around and I miss checking in with you β€οΈ You are truly one of the most compassionate people I have ever met, and I consider myself beyond lucky to have met and befriended you. My friend, your presence has always made me happy, and your sweet replies to this thread really help me. Thank you for always sending me the sweetest words of encouragement when I'm at my lowest. Where would I be without you, my faithful, loving friend? β€οΈ
You are right that it's okay to rest. Thankfully, my school term is ending this week and I will have a week-long break, which I intend to use to the fullest. The same is true for you too β€οΈ You deserve to be gentle with yourself, and you're not alone in all of this. I and all of your friends will always be here for you.
I love you too, Kimmita. I am beyond happy to hear of how far you've come β€οΈ You are truly a strong, resilient person who is capable of doing the hard things to heal. My heart is with you today β€οΈ
@honestpanda81
Aww. I missed the love that overflows with your words. I'm so happy for you now that I know that you've been ok and that you're having a week break. What plans do you have? I know you will make the best use of it.
My hope is with you.
@Kimmkimm
Thank you for asking, Kimm, it really warms my heart to be reminded of your love and care for me β€οΈβ¨ I will likely spend some time with my family, review my schoolwork to make sure I've understood everything this term, and read. I convinced my mum to get me 4 books about anxiety and I'm so excited to read them β€οΈ I hope you've been well too, my friend β€οΈ Feel free to come to my PMs whenever you want β€οΈ
@honestpanda81
I enjoy reading so much. 4 books sounds amazing!
I am in so much pain, and not enough pain. My heart and soul heart so much I wish I could just melt into the ground and disappear forever. It blood a little this time. I hadn't done it in 6 months and I overestimated the amount of force I needed. I got that pair of scissors because I wanted to learn to associate scissors with normal everyday life, but I've done it again. Maybe I should get rid of them.
The cuts don't hurt anymore. I wish they did. They hurt for a lot longer this time, and really stung when I went to wash up. That's the first time that's happened. I miss the physical pain already. It's funny, when it was hurting I wanted it to end, and now that it's stopped I want to keep going.
I can't do this. I wanted to badly to scream today. I wanted to yell out my secret and tell my truth. I wanted to show them who I really was and let them understand the real me. But I couldn't, because they made it so clear that they wouldn't accept me for who I am. I would have lost everyone.
I hate myself. I wish I didn't feel this way. I hate the way that I am. I feel so dirty and disgusting. Would they be right to be ashamed of me? I held off from cutting for so long, and what for? I've fallen back here once again. Stupid, so stupid. So so so so stupid. Please make it stop, it hurts so much, and it doesn't hurt enough
@honestpanda81
My loved Pandita:
You've told me countless times that it's ok to fall. Healing is not a linear path and there will ups and downs. I guess hurting yourself after a long time of not doing so may seem like it's a failure, but it's not. It's normal to fall sometimes, and it doesn't make you stupid.
Are you ok? Do you need some kind of medical attention? If so, I encourage you to take care of your wounds first.
Panda, I've always be amazed of your huge wisdom and maturity. You're an amazing exceptional person. Please don't let a moment of hesitation to bring down all the things you've built. You're stronger than that.
You're not alone. There are many people rooting for you. There are many friends who are willing to listen to you and help you. I know you've been so busy lately with check ins and stuff. What you do for every single one of us is invaluable. Now do it for yourself. Don't give up.
I love you too much and you know that. π
@Kimmkimm
Kimm, I don't knowwhat to do. all I can do right now is try to hold on. I'm still reeling from the emotions from yesterday. How do I keep going? I'm sorry, I don't want to worry you. I'm okay, I'm always careful when I do it. It only bled a little bit yesterday, and it doesn't even hurt anymore.
Some things are worth more. I don't want to live hiding these secrets. But I know that if I tell they'll leave me. Oh, they'll be so ashamed. It's not safe for me to be honest here. I don't want to hurt them. I don't want to lose them.
All I can say is that I will try my best. Maybe that won't be enough, and I think I can make peace with that
You are so kind to me, Kimmita. I can't see the way forward, but I will trust you and not give up
@honestpanda81
It makes me so happy to know that you're careful even if you hurt yourself. I'm so happy to know that you're ok, I mean you didn't hurt badly. That means you love yourself enough to be careful and that is great news.
I understand it when you say that you don't want to live with this secrets and you want to tell them. Sometimes, venting is such a relief, and I'm sorry if they don't understand. I'm sorry if they would tell you to go away. At least, you can talk everything you want in here and we all are going to listen to you and we will not let you alone.
Please hang in there, please keep going. It must be too hard sometimes and you must feel like you want to give up, but as you said, there are things and people worthy to keep going, and you are one for me.
Can you tell me some of your interests? What things do tou like to do when you're alone? We can make an schedule so we can do those things together. For example, if you like weiting, we can set an hour to do so and we can share what we wrote at the end of that hour, or we can listen to music together and talk about our fav bands and songs.
Keep going my little princess. πππ
@Kimmkimm
I will try my best to hold on, as I always have. I only hope that one day I will be able to look forward to each new day again. Hope is a choice, and even though it's the difficult one, and I think I can try to hold on to it.
I did start journaling. It's been surprisingly cathartic. For years I worried that people would somehow find and read what I wrote if I penned down my thoughts, but I'm old enough that I can hide this from them. The notebook is completely plain, with nothing but a gentle light brown plain cover. I like watching cartoons and movies. I always enjoyed watching shows with heavier and more emotional stories, but I've come to find that they worsen my state of mind, so I'm sticking to the cartoons for the time being. I am focusing on listening to the playlist I made specifically for situations like this, so that's helped me more than I honestly expected it to.
Maybe life isn't all bad. I have to hold on to that. I hope you'll take care of yourself, Kimm β€οΈ Please don't overlook your own needs and self care because of me, I really don't want to worry you β€οΈ
@honestpanda81
Watching cartoons is so fun and unstressing. I'm glad you're willing to hold on. I know things will get better. Writing is a nice way to spend your time. It makes me happy to know that it helps you. I can see you're so smart, you just don't sit still amd do nothing. On the contrary, you find some ways to make yourself feel better and I'm so proud of you. That's my little princess. π