Skip to main content Skip to bottom nav
Community /

Self-Harm Recovery Forum

Info
8,847 Friends
Filter by Topic
Check-ins & Discussions Creative Corner Distraction Zone Goals and Success Corner Information and Resources Recovery Zone Self-Harm Q&A Support Area Welcomes, Introductions & Icebreakers
Community calendar
Group chat
Ask questions, get support and make friends
Find a group chat
My communities
Considering Therapy?
Talk to an expert therapist
New subscribers
Create a New Thread
Gif Photo Link
ASilentObserver profile picture
Shine Bright: I am SH-free for ____ Days
by ASilentObserver
Last post
 January 14th
...See more Well done! 💪✨  (Number) days free from self-harm is a significant accomplishment.  Please take a moment to acknowledge your strength and resilience and celebrate with us. Here are a few points to reflect on and celebrate:  * What helped you stay strong these past few days? Was it a specific coping mechanism, a supportive person, or a personal mantra? Share your tips to inspire others. * What positive changes have you noticed since being SH-free? Maybe you have more energy, better sleep, or a renewed sense of hope. Reflect on the progress you've made. * What are you looking forward to in the future? Use this milestone as a springboard for setting new goals or focusing on activities you enjoy. * Write a message to your future self: What words of encouragement would you tell yourself for the days ahead? Start sharing with us. We believe in you. 
Jenna profile picture
Things no one tells you about Self-Harm: Trigger Warning
by Jenna
Last post
 December 31st, 2024
...See more Everyone mentions the same things when they talk about self-harm. This is what I wish someone told me about self-harm before I fell into its tight gripping claws. 1) It's not only the cuts/bruises/burns/scratches that you have to hide. You have to hide the bloodied tissues, the used band-aids, the band-aid wrapper, and the thing you used to harm. 2) When you shower the dried blood drips out of your band-aid and down your body creating little dark red, almost brown, colored streams. It scares you at first because you think it's opened again. 3) It becomes an addiction. It becomes the only thing that helps. 4) It eventually doesn't help anymore but you keep doing it in the hope it will. 5) Your body will scar and at first, you will like it but eventually, you get sick looking at them. 6) On a bad day, you run out of space. 7) Your band-aids will soak through your jeans or top after a shower and make an obvious square or rectangle patch. 8) They start to smell bad if not looked after. 9) You constantly think about them. 10) Your sleep will hurt and every move you make will too when they are fresh. You act as you like it. You don't. 11) People will never take it seriously enough. 12) They itch like mad whilst they heal. 13) You eventually get frustrated if it has no effect. 14) You don't cry when you do it. You feel nothing. Not. A. Thing. 15) It's so so so hard to escape it. 16) It isn't beautiful. It isn't a fairy tale. It won't help you find love. It is a monster that ruins lives. Please think of all these things before you hurt yourself. You don't want to. I sound like a hypocrite because I do but trust me, you don't want to fall down the dark hole that I and many other people are already in. Put down your fist, blade, lighter, cut your nail short, and get help.
ASilentObserver profile picture
SHA #4: Calming Affirmations for Difficult Moments
by ASilentObserver
Last post
 March 22nd, 2024
...See more Hello all,  Group Support organizing the month of Self-Harm Awareness Week,  the focus will be on discussing general awareness, and support, and celebrating milestones and small steps. This will be an opportunity for all of us to come together and extend our support and compassion to all who struggling with self-harm.  Life throws its curveballs, and sometimes we feel like we're drowning. You might be feeling overwhelmed and lost, and in those moments, the urge to self-harm might arise as a way to cope.   When you find yourself in those moments, having a set of affirmations can help ground you and bring a sense of calm. Affirmations are powerful tools that can shift your mindset and provide comfort in difficult times. Here are some affirmations you can repeat to yourself when you feel overwhelmed or tempted to harm yourself.  * "This feeling is temporary. I will get through this."  * "I am worthy of love and support. I will reach out for help." You deserve to feel safe and cared for.  * "I am strong and capable. I have faced challenges before, and I can face this one too." You are more resilient than you think. * "My pain does not define me. I am more than my struggles." Pain is a part of life, but it doesn't have to control your existence. You are a complex and worthy person. * "I will focus on what I can control, my breath, my thoughts, and my actions."  * "There is help available. I will find a healthy way to cope." Self-harm is not the answer. There are healthier ways to deal with difficult emotions.  * "I am worthy of healing. I will take steps towards feeling better today." Start small, with one positive step towards self-care. * "I deserve to be treated with kindness and compassion, especially by myself. I choose to be gentle with myself in times of distress." * "I am not alone in this. Some people care about me and want to support me through this struggle." * "My worth is not defined by my struggles or mistakes. I am inherently valuable just as I am." * "I have the power to choose how I respond to this situation. I choose to respond with love and understanding towards myself." * "I acknowledge my pain, but I also acknowledge my capacity for healing and growth. I am worthy of healing." * "I forgive myself for any past mistakes or shortcomings. I choose to let go of self-blame and embrace self-compassion." Please know that affirmations are most effective when repeated regularly and with conviction. Find the affirmations that resonate with you the most and make them a part of your daily self-care routine. If you are struggling with self-harm, please reach out for support. You are not alone, and there is hope for healing. We are all here with you to listen to and support you.  If you have any affirmation that you use, please share it with us here. Also, let's discuss and share our experiences with affirmations during overwhelming moments. All thoughts are welcomed.  ------------------------- Other posts in the SHA series:  SHA #3: Role of Acceptance & Validation [https://www.7cups.com/forum/selfharm/General_2451/SHA3RoleofAcceptanceValidation_325495/] SHA #2: "Safe Plan" for people with self-harm issue [https://www.7cups.com/forum/selfharm/InformationandResources_1079/SHA2SafePlanforpeoplewithselfharmissue_323303/] SHA #1: Do you think self-harm defines you?  [https://www.7cups.com/forum/selfharm/General_2451/SHA1Doyouthinkselfharmdefinesyou_324983/]
richelleeelle profile picture
Healing quicker ?
by richelleeelle
Last post
 42 minutes ago
...See more i have fresh self harm, and i was wondering if i can put aquphor on them to make them heal faster? and not dry out?
TealPhotog profile picture
Slowly realizing/ admitting this not just a “bad habit”
by TealPhotog
Last post
 54 minutes ago
...See more TW: SH Hello, I know that title may sound like it’s not “real” SH, but please believe me, it is. It is closely related to stress & anxiety. Even when it hurts I have a hard time stopping. I am not sure how to talk about this without talking about the method. I don’t think I have fully admitted to myself its SH, but everything points to that. I am feeling ashamed, embarrassed, scared, and lost. I a hoping to find coping methods & support here.
Dhvani profile picture
Been 4 years, I want to do it again, i cant trust myself with myself
by Dhvani
Last post
 4 hours ago
...See more I have a drinking problem and i make several mistakes when drunk, im trying to be sober, normal, trying to achieve goals but at this moment my life feels like a long unsolved case. Everything feels tangled, I feel numb and frozen, I hate myself for all the mistakes I’ve done, and the only thing that will make me “feel things” again is to punish and self harm. I don’t want to break my 4 years record, but I really want to do it right now. Im collapsing. Im even ashamed to ask for help.
PinkPomegranate6844 profile picture
Not sure what to do
by PinkPomegranate6844
Last post
 7 hours ago
...See more I'm kinda new to 7 cups and not completely sure on how best to use it but in any case I'm really lost with life. I decided to try and stay clean from self harming but it's so awful. It's been 2 days and I feel more miserable than when I'd SH. I feel pathetic for struggling to stay clean for such a short amount of time and I don't know how much longer I can go on for. Feeling a tad bit very silly right now lol
LoveMyMoonflowers profile picture
just a space to keep track and stuff.
by LoveMyMoonflowers
Last post
 8 hours ago
...See more hi,  i don't know why im making this post exactly but i wanted a space to track how many days ive been sh free. like just having all of it in one place if that makes sense. im not good at keeping track of it in my head im always real good at forgetting and stuff  and yeah thats it im not really sure what else to say…  i don’t mind replies but they're not necessary. ❤️ this space is mostly just for me to keep track of my sh free streaks. 
Stormandshelter profile picture
Help needed
by Stormandshelter
Last post
 1 day ago
...See more I need urgent help. If any listener is online and available here then kindly reach out.
cizzles profile picture
Venting
by cizzles
Last post
 2 days ago
...See more I've been hurting myself. I don't intend on stopping and that alone should scare me, but it doesn't. I don't feel like it matters to confide in anyone about it. Not much matters anymore. I feel so overwhelmed and alone. I don't know what I need besides a bitter end to all this madness. I don't know why I bother trying everyday, or why I put on a facade. The results are always the same. The pain never goes away, it only festers. Nothing feels real even when I'm inflicting pain on myself. I wish I understood why being alive feels like torture.
aidenzdoodleden profile picture
so proud of myself
by aidenzdoodleden
Last post
 Saturday
...See more one week clean!
creativeDay2756 profile picture
What should I do
by creativeDay2756
Last post
 Friday
...See more I start SH after years clean This time my friend know about that and she wanted to help me but I refuse bcz I was feeling that I am annoying person and I am wasting her time But now it's getting more worse and I am scared from that and I am shy even to tell my friend What should I do
carb0nm0n0xid3 profile picture
Sh addiction- i need advice please!
by carb0nm0n0xid3
Last post
 Friday
...See more Hi, im new to this app. I however have been struggling with sh for about a year, and it's gotten to be very bad.. I'm sparing details for yall. But I'm trying not to relapse again, my goal is at least 3 days... I'm 1 day free already but i keep getting urges... the butterfly project really helped but i think i should draw the butterflies where i sh, but it's an awkward spot (ankle). I just draw them on my arm but idk if it's as effective...i wanna draw them near my ankle but ik my mom would ask about it (if my socks aren't as long) and she knows nothing about my sh.. or anything i do really. Should i draw them on my leg? Or not? Idk.. Anyone have other advice to not relapse?
ILoveYou00426 profile picture
It's been a while. Needed to vent a little.
by ILoveYou00426
Last post
 Thursday
...See more I used to be on here a while ago.. it's been a while since well we all know. I've started getting tattoos instead of hurting myself because they feel good but here lately I've found myself wanting to do more. I don't want to ruin my tattoos but I find myself scratching over my scars, wanting to make more, where I've already tattooed over, when I'm overwhelmed. It feels like life has been very over the top and I'm just ready to tattoo everything at this point.
Ale1512 profile picture
Relapsing
by Ale1512
Last post
 Thursday
...See more I've been almost 5 months clean and I'm trying to stop myself from doing it again but I don't know if I can anymore.

Hello, and welcome to the Self-Harm Recovery Subcommunity! It’s great to have you here, and we are proud of you for making the first brave step in reaching out for support. This is our supportive, safe and friendly environment, and we are glad to have you here 😃. Feel free to direct any questions to the appropriate leader of our community, which you can find at the bottom of the about section. ⭐️

🌟 Feel free to say hello and introduce yourself! Or if you want to just browse for now that is okay too! Take your time. We have several topics in our community such as the goals and success corner, recovery zone, support area and much more! Please use the relevant topic where appropriate so we can keep our community organised🌟

🌟 Please make sure to read through our community guidelines and browse our resources available 🌟

🌟 To join our community leadership team feel free to look through Here for the requirements and apply to join our team 🌟

🌟 Again, thank you for joining our community, and we look forward to seeing your progress on your journey! If you have any questions, please reach out to the relevant leader 😊

Community Guidelines

These guidelines are inspired by some communities around 7 cups! This is so we can adapt our little family to accommodate as many different life experiences and situations as possible. We recognize we cannot adapt to every circumstantial rule. However, we have outlined some of the common guidelines needed for our community. ❤️

✪ Please do not share any graphic images or descriptions of self-harm tools!

✪ Please do not mention the name of any tools used for self-harm in any area of the self-harm recovery community.

✪ Names of methods of self-harm are allowed to be shared in the group support room, but where possible please try to exchange a method name for the phrase "self-harm".

✪ When mentioning methods of self-harm or potentially triggering details of another topic in the forums, please put a trigger warning at the top of the post so people are able to click away from the post if they would like to. Additionally, please try to find an appropriate place within our forums to make your post. Certain areas are reserved for specific content, so please consider this when making your post.

✪ Pro-self-harm content will not be tolerated!

✪ Please be respectful to everyone, members and listeners alike.

✪ Remember, everyone's experiences are different. Please do not undermine or invalidate anyone's situation because it is not what most would consider "normal". We are a diverse community and have people from many backgrounds, so please always be respectful!

✪ General kindness, courtesy, and etiquette are heavily appreciated!

Read the 7 Cups Guidelines
Community Leaders
Room Supporter
Bearainy profile picture
@Bearainy