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View Full Version : What you can do instead of cutting


Rutherford The Brave
April 4th, 2008, 04:18 PM
Personally I dont really like to look over and see someone with scars on their wrist, it makes me upset. Also I know they can't really help it sometimes but I just hate to see people depressed. So I decided to make a list of things that could help you take your mind of cutting or harming youself! I hope you guys find it useful.

Hug a pillow
sure it doesnt seem like its going to help, but if your squeezing that pillow not only can you realese some tension into the pillow. The pillow has some what of a calming effect on people because it is so soft. When all is said and done you can dry your tears and it cradles your head as you put all of this behind you and fall to sleep

Watch TV
Tv is a great way to excape reality, it lets you focus on things such as the new, current events or even the lives of your favorite fictional characters. TV is said to pull you away from your life, so enjoy it guys cause once your mind is off cutting you'll feel calmer and hey you might even have watched that new episode of Scrubs you've been waiting for!

Talk to a friend
This works for many of my friends they call me and talk about their day. Its very simple just give one of your buddies a call and tell them you want to talk. As a friend they will be more than willing to talk to you and one the plus side you can even plan your next weekend!

Do a puzzle
Maybe try to solve a puzzle I.E a rubiks cube,jigsaw,crossword. Puzzles are a great way to take your focus off of cutting and they require alot of your thought process so you might even forget that you were going to cut!

Bake!
I personally enjoy this one, bake something! Cookies,brownies,cakes it doesnt matter. Baking has a great effect on everyone and the end results in something good if you can cook. Also its a great first date for those newly formed couples as it can be romantic :wub: and often times being with significant other can take your mind off of cutting.

Sleep
Nothing better than an afternoon nap and a good nights rest. Just dry your tears and focus on getting to the next day.

Write in a Diary *with some help of dudesweet101
Often times no one is around to talk to. Dont fret! Write your feelings down in a diary! Then when someone is around to talk to you can show them what your wrote. Getting your feelings down on paper might make you feel alot better and sometimes a diary can be like a buddy to those who really need one!

Outdoor Activities
Who doesn't love going outside!? Bring a freind to the beach, go for a walk swim in a pool play frisbee! Doing this outdoors build endorphins that help your body calm down and often times being outside will just make you happy! So go outside and enjoy the day!
I hope some of these helped if you have any suggestions your more than welcome to post them here!

Pressure *suggested by Gwyn Wants out
Often times things get out of hand and well pressure helps ease the pain. Plus Im not exactly saying its a good way to do things but it can be a substitute to cutting, But be careful use pillows and blankets no Iron weights!

Go For a walk * suggested by Michael
Another is to go out and go for a long walk somewhere peaceful. Go and get some fresh air whenever you want to cut. It'll do a power of good.

Play video Games *suggested by Crystal-Clear
Video Games help you take your mind off of reality, some of them are puzzle solving and cause you to think more than you normally do thus taking your mind off of cutting!

Pet an Pet (provided you have one) *suggested by Darthrage
Pets are always happy, no matter what. They just crave the attention and when they are petted they return the favor, they'll take your mind off of cutting.

strongheart
April 4th, 2008, 10:52 PM
I want to say thank you for all of those suggestions.

Personally, I love baking too. And I have baked with my ex-boyfriend and it was a time when I was so happy. He knew about my issues but being around him made some of them go away for a time.

I'd also just like to say that I'm here to talk or support anyone who would like it.
:yes::)

dudesweet101
April 4th, 2008, 11:07 PM
wat if someone doesnt have anyone to talk to.

iJack
April 4th, 2008, 11:18 PM
Good job, this needs to be a sticky

Rutherford The Brave
April 5th, 2008, 07:25 AM
Thats a great point dude! Well often times there are people who are to busy to talk to you. This is where a diary comes in hand, being able to write down your feeling may help you take your mind off of cutting.

Bobby
April 5th, 2008, 02:09 PM
Good list KGTM
Adding rep...

ShatteredWings
April 30th, 2008, 07:57 AM
i know it's bumping an 'old' thread but..


STICKY STICKY STICKY!

this is REALLLY important here

ktkurbst0mp
April 30th, 2008, 02:35 PM
Sometimes it helps to talk to someone you don't know well.
But is okay with being there for you.
I have no problem talking with anyone.
I had problems with selfinjury for over 5 years.
I know it's hard.

pretty-mistake
June 1st, 2008, 09:16 AM
ice cubes is a good one aswell.
if you feel like harming, hold ice cubes either in your hand or rub them on the point where you would want to self harm. the cold can be painfully but not as damaging.

Techno Monster
June 1st, 2008, 12:59 PM
I suck on my thumb instead of cutting.

Malcolm Tucker
June 2nd, 2008, 06:04 AM
This is a good list :) Great suggestions

ShatteredWings
June 2nd, 2008, 08:47 AM
I suck on my thumb instead of cutting.

HA i thought i was the only one who sucked their thumb still

Malcolm Tucker
June 2nd, 2008, 03:05 PM
Another is to go out and go for a long walk somewhere peaceful. I do that and cloak it as "trying to boost weight loss" to my parents, it would kill them to know I cut. Go and get some fresh air whenever you want to cut :) It'll do a power of good.

*I'm not suggesting to lie to parents. Just what I personally do.

ShatteredWings
June 2nd, 2008, 05:36 PM
*pulls finger out of mouth*

i know exactly what you mean...but sometimes that doesn't work if its also 9pm & your shakeing....lol, i do try to get out before it gets bad


Anyone have any gum?(sorry, reallllyy bad day,and i don't want to really, but its HARD!)

pretty-mistake
June 3rd, 2008, 10:21 AM
yeh when its like 10pm you dont really want to go out for a walk lol
plus i wouldnt be allowed to just randomly go out for a walk at that time. =]

another one apart from ice cubes [cos that annoys me cos i just get wet hands]
is to wear an elastic band and when you want to cut flick that instead, creates a sting like cutting but not as bad

Rutherford The Brave
June 3rd, 2008, 02:07 PM
Guys Im not going to suggest anything that involves pain, this list is things that you can do instead of cutting.

ShatteredWings
June 3rd, 2008, 02:17 PM
^^ i know that

but taking a walk isn't hurting anyone

notsure101
June 4th, 2008, 10:21 PM
Good job Rep ^ for this :)

Nihilus
June 5th, 2008, 10:38 AM
This is a great post!!! Rep+

Crystal-Clear
June 8th, 2008, 10:47 AM
Video games, they are the best distraction in the world.
And drawing, I draw alot when I get moody.

Sucking your thumb is also a point! *Agrees with [crazy] girl* I sometimes suck my thumb, I never used to as a kid its weird but more often than not I like suck my thumbnail, so it looks like I'm biting it, and isn't as obvious XD

chunkymonky30281
June 10th, 2008, 11:25 PM
thanks for the tips

Nihilus
June 11th, 2008, 04:54 AM
I'll just read when I feel depressed. I get hooked to books soo fast. Be with your pets and hug them, ped them (forgot how to spell, summer is getting to me) and so on.

swimmerboy
June 17th, 2008, 10:58 AM
Can I suggest playing a sport too... I play tennis and if u just hit hte ball agains the wall it releives a lot of stress

kerry
June 17th, 2008, 11:15 AM
thats really good it has a solution for each person who cuts they have alot of options to choose from ..... so if one option doesn't work they can use your list to help them stop cutting well done !

Rutherford The Brave
June 17th, 2008, 11:39 AM
Can I suggest playing a sport too... I play tennis and if u just hit hte ball agains the wall it releives a lot of stress

Technically that falls under outdoor activities but thanks so much for the suggest, every bit counts!

ShatteredWings
June 17th, 2008, 02:06 PM
thats really good it has a solution for each person who cuts they have alot of options to choose from ..... so if one option doesn't work they can use your list to help them stop cutting well done !

yupyup. that's true

and the annoucnemt thread has some good ideas too (somebetter than others, i do not sugest writing on yourself with a red marker)

jma94
June 20th, 2008, 10:48 PM
Come online to VT! We're here to help. If you need some support, more than half the people here would be willing to talk. :3

The Batman
June 20th, 2008, 10:55 PM
I have an idea why not Be Creative, that includes music, art, theatre, sewing anything to get your mind working and distracted.

ShatteredWings
June 21st, 2008, 01:58 PM
sewing?...hm, i try to avoid that activity (sewing needles, need i say more?)

liam
June 21st, 2008, 02:09 PM
Good guide... makes me upset too =[

The Batman
June 21st, 2008, 02:13 PM
I don't people will try to cut themselves with a sewing needle. It keeps your hands busy and it really helps to pass the time.

Malcolm Tucker
June 21st, 2008, 02:29 PM
Em, I did once, Well tried. So I don't think it's a good idea. Try things that aren't sharp.

ShatteredWings
June 21st, 2008, 02:46 PM
I don't people will try to cut themselves with a sewing needle. It keeps your hands busy and it really helps to pass the time.

now you do.


anything that isn't SHARP and keeps your hands busy...this is odd, i sometimes start braiding string ( I break the strings with my fingers, not sizors)

Rutherford The Brave
July 5th, 2008, 08:20 AM
Alrighty well, I think we shouldn't ignore this list. People come in and tell us they are cutting. I feel as though (Its selfish I know) that this thread should be stickied. Its just for the safety of others. So I edited the list a bit.

-Silence
July 5th, 2008, 03:05 PM
It doesn't need stickied when there is a huge list like this in the announcement.
Just to let ya know. ^_^

Rutherford The Brave
July 5th, 2008, 10:08 PM
There actually isnt a huge list like you were talking about. Either that or I was unable to find it.

-Silence
July 5th, 2008, 10:59 PM
(Link) (http://www.virtualteen.org/forums/announcement.php?f=16&a=52)

Scroll down, big letters saying So what do I do instead? There's about three long lists in there.

I'm not trying to put you down hun, it's very kind of you to make a list.

cjdude
July 5th, 2008, 11:40 PM
oh-em-gawsh
this is really good...
great job!!!!
i think ill use this...
:)