New here
Hey everyone!
I am new here. I've been a cutter for a year and a half and I feel like that it is not much, but I am proud to say I am 56 days clean and counting!
I am looking for support and understanding. Plus I really need advice on dealing with scars. (Either accepting them or covering them, whatever you know helps a lot).
I hope I can find people as kind as the listeners I have talked to. I love seven cups, I love the support and I really wish that one day, maybe I can help someone as much as others have helped me.
Hello @MJLV98
I am so proud of you for going 56 days clean! That is a huge achievement and I'm really happy for you <3
As for scars, there are several ways you can hide them if you choose to do so. It really depends are where they are. If you want to brainstorm some ideas feel free to message me <3. Learning to accept your scars can be hard and take a while, but I know you can do it. It will be worth it in the end too.
Thank you for reaching out and know that you are not alone :) <3
@SnailPurple
Hey, I am sorry to bother you again. I would like to try what you said about brainstorming ideas for covering my scars. I have been trying to reach you through the private messages, but the system won't let me start the conversation. (It says that I can't message teens. I am twenty one, and really I just want to talk about self harm.)
Do you know if you can start de conversation? Or do you mind if we do this here in the forum?
Thanks for reading.
PS Don't feel pressured in any way to reply. I understand if you don't want to do this.
Hello @MJLV98
We can totally do this in the forums, but if you would rather private message someone I can give you the names of some listeners too. Either works for me :)
@SnailPurple
Thanks! I don't mind doing it here.
You see most of the time it is very easy for me to hide my scars. The ugly big ones are on my thighs. 90% of the time I wear jeans, so that is not a big deal on a daily basis. The issue is that I love swimming and I am just so ashamed to go to the pool showing my scars. I have tried wearing the swimming suits you use to compete, that have like shorts. I own three of these and none of them cover the scars on my thighs.
The easy way out is to give up swimming and until now I have. But my mom keeps pressuring me to exercise and since she knows I like to swim she is always asking me when will I start that again.
Do you know if there is some kind of water-proof make-up that could work? Or how do I start feeling less self-conscious?
@MJLV98
I'm no expert at makeup, but I think you could cover them with foundation. Here is an article on how to keep foundation on while swimming. This is a highly rated waterproof foundation, but it is expensive. I'm sure there are other ones out there, but this is the best one from what I have heard.
@SnailPurple
Wow, thanks! I know nothing about makeup. But I am majoring in Chemistry, and the article makes a lot of sense to me. I'll look for more foundation options. Thanks a lot!
Now, I am curious. How do I talk to others about my scars? I mean I can't even talk about them with my therapist. I feel like I have no right to complain cause I made those scars, knowing that they would be permanent. Have you ever felt like this?
@MJLV98
I find it hard to talk about my scars too, even with my friend who used to cut. You are not required to talk to anyone about this. Only share what you feel comfortable with when you feel comfortable. I know it can be hard to talk to your therapist but don't forget, they did go to school for this and most likely have seen this before and know how to handle it. However, only share what you feel comfortable with <3
@SnailPurple
Sorry I took so long to answer. But everything is still looking good, 76 days clean and counting. Thanks for all your input, really, it helps a lot.
And I mean, it is not even on my mind to tell my friends or family about my self harm or my scars. My mom and my sister know I cut, but I avoid the topic as much as I can. (Plus they don
Hi @MJLV98
Its good to hear from you again! It sounds like you are scared of being judged by your therapist. I know opening up can be hard, but it can be done. Take baby steps. I highly doubt you will be judged, but if you are you can always find another therapist. I can give you a link that helps you find a therapist close to you if it comes to this, but I really don't think you will be judged.
Take deep breaths and small steps. We all have your back here <3
@MJLV98
Proud of you and your progress, keep at it ❤️ I found a lot of my scars actually faded pretty well as time went on. Supposedly there are different types of vitamins, oils, etc. that can help them fade a little more. A couple of the worse ones I have I
@RoseAnn99
Thank you for the kind words. I can say most of my scars have also faded. And it just makes things easier that the scars that haven't faded are somewhat easy to hide.
The tattoo is an amazing idea. I have seen some beautiful designs that even use the scar(s) as part of the artwork. If you are into that, totally go for it. Tattoos aren't really my thing now, though.
I keep hearing all of you saying I should not be ashamed of my scars. I get where you are coming from and I am thankful for your support. The thing is, I do not have a clue on how to do that. (Plus I have a terrible self image and I have always hated my body) Do you have any advice on where I could start with that?