Unspoken laws of cutting?

[dontcare97]

I got thinking after reading post from another thread why cutters don't talk among themselves outside of the internet. I feel like it would help to talk to someone in a similar situation. Is this a taboo to you? And is there anything else you don't do as a cutter?

Don't leave my blade outside my room
Don't talk about the subject with family
Don't talk about my real feelings
Make sure you shorts are pulled so no one notices
Cut only in closet with the door closed

[CyanideGoodnight]

These, although I do occasionally talk about it in person with my friend who also cuts, but that's cuz we're really close. If it were anyone else, yes it would be a bit... wrong.

Sorry for any redundancys, I'm sorry, I'm just rattling these off as I think of them :p

usually, the "Laws" for me are

Make sure no one knows.
Make sure no one sees the fresh cuts.
Make sure strangers and friends who aren't close think it was an accident.
Don't show off the cuts and lie abou it. Keep whatever I cut with near me at almost all times outside of school and make sure it's hidden.
Don't talk about it with other friends or family.
Make sure friends don't know I relapsed.
Make sure no one sees me cutting. In public, if cutting is absolutly nessasary, just scratch self until bleeding/feeling better is acheived. Then lie and say you have a really bad itch/bugbite/whatever.
Do this ONLY when going to somewhere private and cutting is definatly NOT an option.
If a friend finds out, apologize and say it won't happen again, and that it was just a single relapse and that I'm fine, and tell them not to worry.
If... that one... finds out... Just make up any excuse nessasary to make her belive it wasn't me.
Don't tell your therapist you did something stupid out of guilt if you don't want to tell them what.
Try to fight off any and all uges, be a hellbent stubborn bitch about it, too.
Try not to let anyone know you have an urge.
Try to prevent situations that would cause a trigger although this is easier said then done.
Don't bring attention to yourself.
If I cut on the wrist or other stupid obvious area, try to hide it by almost any means nessasary.
Lie to everyone about it.
Don't tell someone if you think they might tell anyone.
Obey the law that my therapist made me swear by, which is don't cut with that sewing needle, because if I do I'll have to get rid of it, and I don't want to get rid of it, even though I can't cut with it.

There are probably more, I'll edit this/ add more later depending if I can think of more, but these are the basis.

[dontcare97]

These, although I do occasionally talk about it in person with my friend who also cuts, but that's cuz we're really close. If it were anyone else, yes it would be a bit... wrong.

Sorry for any redundancys, I'm sorry, I'm just rattling these off as I think of them :p

usually, the "Laws" for me is make sure no one knows. Make sure no one sees the fresh cuts. Make sure strangers and friends who aren't close think it was an accident. Don't show off the cuts and lie abou it. Keep whatever I cut with near me at almost all times outside of school and make sure it's hidden. Don't talk about it with other friends or family. Make sure friends don't know I relapsed. Make sure no one sees me cutting. In public, if cutting is absolutly nessasary, just scratch self until bleeding/feeling better is acheived. Then lie and say you have a really bad itch/bugbite/whatever. Do this ONLY when going to somewhere private and cutting is definatly NOT an option. There are probably more, I'll edit this/ add more later depending if I can think of more, but these are the basis.

No it's okay. i write like that all the time.

[SilentlyCrying]

I don't talk to anyone offline about it, mostly because I'm scared to. It's kind of like a law, don't talk about your cuts and you won't get hurt. Enough said.

[bambino]

the laws used to be:
don't let anyone see the cuts
don't talk about the cuts
if I do something bad -make sure i remember to punish myself
isolate myself because I don't deserve friends

and a load of other completely self destructive behaviour. I thought all of that was for the best, altruistic. I was doing it for the sake of my friends, to apologize for being alive and such a burden to everyone. What I didn't realise was I became more of a worry, I wasn't able to be a good daughter or a good friend.
I couldn't do that until I became happier within myself.



now my only law is:
Don't cut.

[ShadowGirl]

the laws used to be:
don't let anyone see the cuts
don't talk about the cuts
if I do something bad -make sure i remember to punish myself
isolate myself because I don't deserve friends


That pretty much sums up how I feel when I hate myself

[Magenta]

Mine are:
- don't talk about it. If I must, make sure I punish myself later for being an attention seeker. Always be guilty.
- don't show the cuts.
- if in public, hold it in until I absolutely can't then scratch or bring my blade to somewhere private.
- lie about it.

They're about the same as anyone else's.

[Aubrie]

Don't talk about it with family.
Only a few people are allowed to text me about it/ask me how I'm doing.
Lie.
Use it as a punishment.
Avoid telling boyfriend at the time as long as possible.
Keep it hidden especially from friends who know.
Don't show any signs of depression, sadness, anger, etc., so no one has a clue.
Keep the blade hidden, but rotate spots in case my room is searched.
NEVER carry the blade on me.
Keep it forever. If thrown away due to rustiness, get a new one.

I broke the last one recently. I threw it away for a guy. It was a pact - I'd throw away my blade if he threw away his weed.

[xktx]

my laws now are;
hide my scars and blades
Keep busy not to cut :/ xxx

[Bath]

Keep it secret from everyone except this forum and my notebook.
Always must be done in the bathroom. I don't think I could do it anywhere else.
Always at night. I think I've only cut twice in the daytime, and those were really bad panic attacks.
Must lie down and watch TV afterward. Now that I think about it, I don't think I could cut without doing that afterwards. I need my wind-down.
Let blood drip down. Don't put toilet paper/bandaids on it immediately. Take it in.
Must clean EVERYTHING up. Leave NO sign of anything, anywhere.
Hide blades underneath trophy in my room. Going to need a new hiding spot when I move in 3 weeks.

[Love.Hate]

Mine are:
- don't talk about it. If I must, make sure I punish myself later for being an attention seeker. Always be guilty.
- don't show the cuts.
- if in public, hold it in until I absolutely can't then scratch or bring my blade to somewhere private.
- lie about it.

These are pretty much the same as mine. Add another though-

-pretend I'm fine

[beag_amhain]

keep them hidden
i only let one person see them
keep what i cut with hidden, but within reach wen in bed
only cut at night
never tell anyone the truth
dont talk about it with adults
make sure ive first aid kit near by
lie to anyone who sees them
keep it as me and mines secret (cept for internet and her)

[lifeislikeamelody]

My 'Laws'
-always wear eight bracelets on my wrist in case i need to hide something
-only SI in the bathroom or bedroom
-NEVER talk about it to ANYONE unless they dont know you personally
-Normally hunch into a fetal position whenever im finished...i dont know why

[Syvelocin]

Mine are a bit more basic. But I don't hide so that part of this is eliminated. And my parents are screwed in the head too so I don't mind talking to them. So all that's left are the rituals.

-The same purple pyjamas shall be worn
-Razors shall be kept in jewellery boxes either on the bedside table or in the closet.
-Self-harm takes place sitting upright on my bed, nowhere else. Except sometimes sitting on the bathroom floor when I feel particularly emotional and unusually secretive. Or when someone else is with me/sleeping in the bed.
-Photograph promptly, but let bleed for some time. Before the blood starts to dry.
-Go to sleep afterwards.

[xdancing_for_rainx]

Guess some of my "laws" would be:
-personal blades go in a drawer, and must be covered with other objects
-a blade that belongs somewhere else must be cleaned until emaculate, so there's no suspicion regarding it
-cuts should be hidden in any way possible
-when self-harming, be in a position to hide what you're doing in the case that someone walks in
-always have an excuse prepared for injuries
-always have bandages and medical tape available, along with tissues to clean up
-there must be enough blood before you can stop cutting
-cut in a place that will be easy to hide
-use cutting as a means to punish, numb, feel something, calm down, etc
-avoid the subject as much as possible in most situations

[PartyPoison]

Blades must go in box in draw. Must be hidden
Blade must be numbered and put away in nurmerical order, any old blades must have an X on them showing the aren't sharp
Hide the cuts
Lie
Keep left sleeve up right sleeve down if hot out.
Lie.
Blade in back of phone is for emergencys only.

[georgiamay]

I´m on holiday at the moment. I´ve been wearing shorts constantly to hide my scars, but once or twice, when I´ve gone to the pool on my own to have a shower and get the sand off me, I´ve taken the shorts off. Yeah, some people stare, but last week, I saw a guy with scars on his arm. We looked at eact other and smiled, but we didn´t talk. He was american, so I´m not sure why we didn´t talk. I suppose it was just nice to acknowledge each other, so we know we´re not alone, we didn´t need to talk about it.

Mine would be:

-never leave the house without a blade, just in case. (I´ve just broken it, I didn´t bring my blade on holiday with me.)
-keep scars/cuts covered at all times.
-Clean blades after they´ve been used, and put it back in the pocket of the bag that I keep it in.
-Keep a stash of tissues/bandages in my room to clean up afterwards.
-When self harming, stand up next to the bed, and let the blood flow for a while before cleaning it up. Sit down while holding tissues/bandages to the cuts and wait for it to stop bleeding. (Unless I´m doing it somewhere other than my home.)

I´m trying to quite, and it´s been a while since I last self harmed, but this is what I´d do when it was something I did regularly.

[Alexithymia]

Laws:

1. Don't talk about it.
2. Don't mention anything close to it.
3. Don't talk about any feelings.
3a. Seriously don't talk about your real feelings.
3b. Seriously don't talk about your real problems.
4. Don't mention anything sharp.
5. Don't mention any type of bandage.
6. Don't mention any type of injury you've had recently.
7. Cover up the scars as best as possible.
8. Fake all of your emotions to seem bubbly and happy.
9. Have some sort of sharp object with you as often as possible.
10. Be worried as hell for when you've cut recently.
11. Cut in easy places to hide.
12. Lie. Lie. Lie.
13. Clean it up as soon as it happens.
14. -Don't- cry.
15. Enjoy it.

Rather, those -were- my laws. I'm cutting much less often now.

EDIT: After reading some, I've got a few more. They've just become obvious to me after so long. <.< Gahh, I'm so sad.

[NobodysCupOf Tea]

My laws...

- cut in places easier to hide
- play depressing music on repeat until crying
- always be crying before hand
- take photos or use tissues and then keep them
- will use specific blades for different areas
- only cut at night...'always feels more intense
- use cutting as a release and form of punishment
- lie to friends and family which know
- will keep blades in a red, bloodstained purse, which will be kept in a red box, along with saved bloody tissues.

Christ I sound fucked up readin this over...

[xDarkAngelx]

Some of mine are:

- Don't let anyone see the cuts and scars, so keep covered all the time.
- Don't talk about it
- If I do something bad - make sure i remember to punish myself
- Try and play depressing music
- Keep my blades on me all the time and within reaching distance at night
- Use cutting as a release and form of punishment

Those are the ones I could think of, so could be more.

[morbidmonkey]

Mine are:

-Always have a blade hidden in my tie for school, just incase
-Always wear bracelets
-Always cut in the bathroom, or somewhere i'm alone if i get to angry to get to the bathroom
-Never tell anyone why i do it, even if they ask
-Throw away blade after at least 10 uses
-Never look at myself right be fore or after cutting

[Amaryllis]

-Don't let anyone find out
-Don't talk about it
-Use blades that are "common" e.g. scissors and jewellery making things
-Don't stain anything
-Don't let anyone see
-Punish appropriately

[christcenteredlife]

this is a question about the butterfly project, you all seem to "hide" your cutting. if someone sees the butterflies and is aware of the project, and confronts you, how would you respond? since being honest about cutting goes against the unspoken rules?

[AppealToReason]

I don't think most people cut in visible places, though.
Someone did ask me about mine when I had it...I just told them my little niece drew a butterfly on me and didn't let me wash it off. Our lies can be never ending...

[Amaryllis]

this is a question about the butterfly project, you all seem to "hide" your cutting. if someone sees the butterflies and is aware of the project, and confronts you, how would you respond? since being honest about cutting goes against the unspoken rules?

I would hide my butterflies. But if someone saw them, I'd say "Oh, butterflies are my favourite insect." and I draw on my skin -a lot- so it's not too crazy of a lie. Anyway, few people know about the butterfly project, heck, I didn't know so I doubt many non-cutters would.

[christcenteredlife]

oh, ok. thanks.

[dontcare97]

I never heard of the butterfly project. I don't know how I feel about it. I don't think I would want my mom to notice it if i did do it. I wouldn't be able to stand having her and the rest of my family find out. I will do it at school thou once it starts. I know a few kids who do it so maybe it will help knowing someone gets it.

[Jupiter13]

Iv tried to get help. But I just got called an attintion whore. So now I just keep it to myself. My rules.
Keep your blade hidden yet close.
If I have to cut at school go to the bathroom and do it in the stall
Never cut to deep or people get suspicious
Cut in places that are easy to hide.
Cuttings just easier. Let's the pain out without drawing attintion, of course I have burned when I got to desperate...

[SinisterMystery]

I have weird little things.
-Blade never leaves my phone unless I am using it.
-Never cut to deep so its still there but not suspicious.
-Draw the butterflies in the same place every time.
-Don't talk about it unless talking about it with Ryan.
-Change blades after every 15 uses.
-Sleep after I do it.