Distraction distraction distraction. I play video games or draw or wash dishes, do laundry. Do anything to keep myself busy. Or sleep. Sleep can be good and bad though. Ive also been known to write on myself in red ink--write poems or phrases or words that I find encouraging. I hope you made it thru ok. Im rooting for you.

Damn ty

I'm struggling bad

I'm sorry you are struggling so much. When I was having a really hard time I also invested in fake tatoos--just the ones you can apply by pressing the paper to your skin and applying warm water -(they can be found on Amazon or at Walmart sometimes) and would apply them where I wanted to cut. Sometimes the action of just applying tons of those little tattoos was enough of a distraction that it would keep me from cutting

I've seriously considered investing in inkbox semi permanent tattoos. They last for up to 2 weeks apparently and have lots of designs and pics and phrases and things. I dont think it will let me post a link, but just search "inkbox semi permanent tatoos" and you should b able to find it.

Or I often try to do something nice to the area I want to cut--i'll apply nice smelling perfume/cologne, lotion/oil to the spot i want to cut. I try to go with some scent i REALLY like, or something I find calming. Even taking those fat, washable markers and scribbling on my leg/arm has been known to help. I've also found that just covering an entire page of paper in black/red marker has distracted me enough to keep me occupief. Or sometimes-or scribbling on the paper or writing random words about how I feel then vigorously hard-core scratching them out with the marker can feel therapeutic. Or, if things are really bad I'll tell myself "if I still want to cut in an hour, I can". Then when that hours up, I'll say " if I still want to cut in 30 mins I can," then after thats done I'll go back waiting an hr. Ive made it through entire nights using this technique.

Grounding technique has also really helps me. I like soft things so I have this super soft fuzzy toy in my room--think it came from the baby section of a store-- and I'll just run my fingers through its fur/ hair and try to think of as many words/ways to describe it as I can. If im touching the softness I'll think, "its soft as silk, soft as a kittens fur." Or if im touching its plastic eyes I'll think "its eyes feel like hard candy, like rock, smooth as glass" And on and on. It may seem silly, but truly taking time to immerse yourself in something--like touching something, ( there are many things you can touch--shampoo bottles if you are in a pinch--) and being as specific about the description as possible has helped me in the past. Even closing my eyes and describing it has helped.

Anyway....I know I just bombarded you with a shit ton of info, but I hope some of it helps.

Tysm seriously

I really, really appreciate it.

No problem. I know how difficult it is. I wish someone would've told me these things in the past when I was struggling so I try to share them when I can. May I ask how you are doing today?