@bethoftheendless / bethoftheendless.tumblr.com
this is how I learned to stop doing it, people should reblog this.
this is actually important
Hey look self harm advice that acknowledges that there’s more than two reasons that people do it
applauds
For the past four and a half months, I have had my address out on the internet as an invitation for anyone to send me their blades so they can take a step forward towards getting better.
In those four and a half months, I have received these:
I can’t really say much in response to this, because honestly I don’t think there are words to describe how proud and how humbled I am.
These people are fighters, and the day they sent those away, it was another step towards winning the war.
Bless you all…Thank you for trusting me <3
NOTE: If you would like to send in your tools, I will accept them and I will attach them to cards and keep them safe just like the ones pictured above. You can send anything you want to:
Elijah K PO Box 1211 Burnsville, MN 55337
This may be one of the most powerful pictures I have ever seen… one of them has my name on it, and it chills me.
so my mum just came into my room and goes “i made something for you” and gives me this funny little brown book
and inside it she wrote
and then on every single page she’s written something lovely like “beautiful” “funny” ”generous” etc
every single page
this is because she found out about my self harming a few weeks ago, and wants me to have something to look at every time i feel sad
i almost cried
Okay. Okay.
Whenever we reblog those lists of hotlines for people to call in an emotional crisis, part of me always thinks, “you know what? Talking on the phone fucking blows.”
And I’ve spoken to people mid-crisis who ABSOLUTELY REFUSE to call a number, because you know what? Talking on the phone fucking blows. IM is alright, typing things out to a faceless screen, it’s so much easier than using your voice most of the time. If only there was some sort of chat-based hotline-
There is? It’s here?!
HUZZAH!
IMAlive is an IM-based support center, run entirely by well-trained volunteers who seriously do give a shit. It’s free, it’s confidential, and it WORKS.
If you’re hurting right now, PLEASE CLICK THE LINK.
If you’re feeling alright, but give half a damn about the people around you, SIGNAL BOOST THE FUCK OUT OF THIS.
I want everyone to know this exists. This is an option. You don’t have to be afraid.
Come and talk.
Alternatives for when you’re feeling angry or restless:
Alternatives that will give you a sensation (other than pain) without harming yourself:
Alternatives that will distract you or take up time:
Alternatives that are completely bizarre. At the least, you’ll have a laugh:
Alternatives for when you’re feeling guilty, sad, or lonely:
Alternatives for when you’re feeling panicky or scared:
Alternatives that will hopefully make you think twice about harming yourself:
Alternatives that give the illusion of seeing something similar to blood:
Alternatives to help you sort through your feelings:
Drawing/painting on my arms and such really helps me for some reason. I’m an art student and really love the smell of paint. Be careful and make sure you’re using non-toxic things though
I’m crying so hard right now guys, it’s taking a lot of effort to type properly, my vision’s all blurry from the tears and not wearing my glasses
This is my arm, covered in butterflies as part of The Butterfly Project. All are in various states of fading, except for that shiny new one, with the polka dots, which is why I’m crying.
I just got back from walking to Cosmo’s, a cafe near my house that I go to often. While I was sitting there, waiting for my drink, a man (who seemed maybe in his mid to late thirties, like 36 at the most) tapped my shoulder. I was already on-edge because I was by myself, something I don’t do often, so a strange man talking to me made me jumpy.
He had a serious look on his face, and he pointed to my arm. “Those butterflies on your arm. Are they for The Butterfly Project?”
Still flustered, and now embarrassed, I told him yes they were. “For yourself, or did you do them for your friend?” he asked. I told him that they were for myself.
“Can I sit?” he asked, and I said something like “Yeah, sure.” cause I was still all nervous and stuff
He then pulls a black Sharpie out of his pocket. “Would you please let me draw a butterfly on your arm?”
I almost started crying right there. A complete stranger wanted to give me a butterfly. I told him yes and gave him my arm, and he drew that beautiful polka-dotted butterfly right there.
I asked him how he knew of The Butterfly Project, and he told me this:
“I found out about it last year. My… My son committed suicide, because some kids at his school were bullying him because they found out he was gay. After that, I looked up as many suicide prevention and self-harm help things I could. I don’t want anyone to commit suicide or harm themselves for any reason.”
I didn’t know what to say- I’m not very god with words. I told him I was sorry that he had to lose his son like that, and I thanked him profusely for the butterfly.
We talked for a while about things; self-harm, homosexuality, bullying. When I had to go, I stood and he hugged me and said “I love you. Please, don’t ever harm yourself again. I know it’s hard, resisting the urge, but please stay strong for me.”
I had to bite my tongue to hold back the tears. I said I’d try my hardest, and he smiled and left.
I never asked his name. I wish I would have, because that man is one of the kindest, most beautiful souls I have ever met. I wish I could thank him again.
Oh my god, that is so beautiful…
This is the reason projects like this exist.
literally started crying ;;
*tearing up*
bethifer:
chachipistachis:
mssecondopinionson:
a friendly tip: if you feel the urge to self harm get an ice cube and hold it in your hand for a while. it relieves the compulsion in a less destructive way. therapists have used this with their patients and i have tried it myself it works pretty well
rebageling for those applicable
Is that safe?
I’d imagine it’s a lot safer than a razor, and because the self harm thing is a lot like a drug addiction, it’s difficult to stop cold turkey. One could probably only realistically hold an ice cube in one’s hand for so long, so I guess that’s the idea. Holding an ice cube is something that would hurt for a shorter amount of time and you could theoretically ween yourself off that way. The goal would eventually not to need it at all.
This is all speculation on my part, but it seems like a good idea in concept. Of course, the supervision of a psychologist is always better if possible.
Well yeah, that's true, but I've heard that holding ice for too long is really bad in its own right? Then again (agreeing with you), if it soothes the same pains that cutting does before it gets to the point where it actually physically harms your hand, I suppose it works.
a friendly tip: if you feel the urge to self harm get an ice cube and hold it in your hand for a while. it relieves the compulsion in a less destructive way. therapists have used this with their patients and i have tried it myself it works pretty well
rebageling for those applicable
Is that safe?
