I know I "should" stop. Why can't I commit to stopping? Why do I think self-harm is OK?

Self-harm allows you to replace mental pain with physical pain, that feels good doesn't it? Your body thinks of it as pain reduction and therefore it's 'okay'. But it's not, the pain returns after the wound has healed. You should work through your mental problems, not hurt yourself even more.

self harm is a serious addiction when you do it constantly, you begin to rely on it when you become down about something in your life. stopping is a hard painful long process but eventually you'll stop if you believe you can and want to.

Knowing is very limited. People shouldn't smoke, do drugs, drink alcohol, but they do it anyway. why? Because of what's behind that habit - unprocessed emotions. Hiding behind bad habits is a way to deal with whatever you're feeling whether guilt, shame, or just trying to find support that maybe yourself and others weren't able to provide when you needed the most. In your case, committing to stop is not only about ceasing a habit but also committing to staying where you are and deal with your own emotions, your shadow and what you fear the most about yourself. Either way, you think self-harm is okay to the extend that you've been feeding yourself with the belief that it's okay not to deal with your emotions. While it's true that it is indeed a choice you have it doesn't mean it's the best choice you can make for yourself and your life in general. The minute you decide to cry the tears of pain you've been holding inside your heart, then you'll know what true healing is all about. Hurting yourself on the other hand is the façade of someone whos afraid of losing control when life itself is inviting you to ride with it.

As a person who has also struggled with self-injury, sometimes it begins to feel normal, natural even, that it becomes something of a routine. When confronted about this behavior, the reactions people have to these habits seem to be too extreme. “Wait, it isn’t that bad, why are you this upset?” I’ve found myself saying to those who discover my treatment of myself. After some time, pain just feels right. But it’s time to break the cycle. Realizing that this activity has to cease is the first step to stopping. It’s great that you’ve seen this. Things do get better, you are strong enough to stop hurting yourself.

Self-harm is a really hard thing to stop. In a way, it is both a coping mechanism and an addiction. Committing to stop is a huge step and I feel like people make it sound easier than it is. It is a messy process. Relapsing happens a lot more often and frequently than most people realize. You most likely think self-harm is "okay" because it is your only coping mechanism. Try to find healthier outlets to get out your emotions. Try journaling or painting, or any artistic thing really. Take a cold shower in all your clothes. Scream to some heavy metal. Whatever helps you helps you.