No self harm for ages, getting easier :D

[bambino]

no self harm for 3 months, desperate to keep this up! In first 2 weeks it was very difficult; I threw out my 'implements' and anything I knew I could use and easily conceal. My scars reminded me I didn't want to go back to how I was. As time went on it actually got a lot easier I barely had any urges and was feeling scared but positive.
Around 2 month mark it got a bit more difficult if bad things happened and i didnt know how to take it or i was feeling low my instinct was to cut to make myself feel better.

However because of how long it had been, it felt a bit unnatural to SH?
I know that sounds strange because when you're cutting regularly it seems the most natural thing in the world. But now it would feel odd. And the guilt I would feel from cutting and letting my loved ones down, is stronger than the guilt I feel for not self harming, if that makes sense?

Also I know music really helps people through hard times, to know that other people have shared the same emotions as you. But my friend came up with a 'only happy songs' policy because when a song comes on I'm so easily influenced by the mood of it. SO I've tried this and I have to say it helps a lot to listen to uplifting music as opposed to sad music which makes me feel like cutting and brings back bad memories.

Just wanted to share that success with you and try and give hope to all of you that the longer you can abstain from cutting the easier it will become.
Stay strong xx

[xDarkAngelx]

Well congratulations for making it for so long! Should be proud of yourself! Will be a long time before I can say the same, has got worse for me and fear it will only continue to go downhill.

[NobodysCupOf Tea]

good idea with the happy songs :)

congrats on moving onwards on upwards!!! its amazing :)

[Love.Hate]

Awwh this is great Cat! Keep going lovely your doing ever so well :hug:

-im also going to try the music thing :)

[Alexithymia]

Thanks. This is helping me. I went a long time (I think around two months) without self harming, but then it came down. I'm at day 18 and struggling. But I'm trying to get through. I don't know if I will, but I'm try as hard as I can.

[Amaryllis]

I know what you mean. I relapsed after nearly a year. When I developed anorexia, it became my new form of self-harm. After I "recovered" though, i cut for the first time in a while. But now it feels odd for me too. I don't slice as many times but I accidentally made a very deep cut. Now it's easier for me to stop though. I don't feel as much of an urge anymore.

So to everyone struggling with stopping and Mark, it does get easier. Once you break the habit, it's much easier to keep it up. I relapsed but so what? It doesn't mean I've failed. You don't fail till you quit trying. And if you try, you will never fail.

And well done, Cat :) You're an inspiration

Love,
Faith And Trust

[bambino]

@ George
thank you, I hope you can find it in you to keep fighting the urges. Like I said, the longer you can stave it off the easier it is to not go back. Another good technique that some alcoholics use [I know a bit different] is "I won't never drink again, I just won't have a drink today". Similarly, saying to yourself: "I won't never cut again, I'm just not going to cut today". Can be a good way to get over an urge.

@ Nobodys Cup of Tea
love the profile pic! thanks, it really does help- I'm addicted to 'something in water' by brookes at the moment! stay strong

@ Fran
thank you lovely! hope you are well too, tell me if you find the music thing helps (:

@ Aethi
No problem! And keep going hun, you've made it 18 days so you know you have the self control to say no to the urges! stay strong

@ faith and trust
I'm sorry to hear about your anorexia, I also understand the use of inverted commas for 'recovery'. Which is hardly an appropriate term.
You don't fail til you quit trying, is totally right. I hope you can find the strength to stop the SH again, hopefully you will find it easier as the urges aren't as frequent.
thank you very much, likewise though! stay strong <3