Reading all the posts in this sub-forum make me so glad and happy that this forum exists in the first place. I know it's helped so so many people including myself, and I hope everyone becomes happy :)
I simply hang out with my friends and keep myself busy from doing my hobbies such as cooking and reading books. Sometimes erroneous words do really break me, but now I make myself tough from all of them. I did not allow negative words to ruin my day.
For me, listening to calming piano music, playing the piano, and spending time with my best friend (my german shepherd dog) have helped the most. I haven't recovered yet.. but when I get the urge to cut I lay on my bed, close my eyes and immerse myself in music. I shut everything else out and focus only on the music until I forgot whatever triggered me or until I fall asleep :P
We stopped looking under our bed for monsters,
when we realized they were inside of us.
Before I do anything else I try to check 5 things (to memorize them I use my fingers):
When was the last time I:
1) got sleep
2) ate
3) drank (not alcohol or coffein!)
4) went outside
5) talked to someone nice
Then I check if I'm cold. Then I ask myself, what do I feel or need aside from the urge to SH? Then I try distraction (see the distraction page or this thread).
It's really basic stuff, but for me it has been helpful. I'll be free for 2 years in 4weeks :)
Heard this song today and thought of all of you out there needing some motivation.
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cy-7dnNvfII"]Rudimental - Not Giving In (featuring. John Newman & Alex Clare) (Radio Edit) + HD & High Quality - YouTube[/ame]
Haven't SH for a whole week now and feel encouraged by this song specially at full volume. Some of you might find this style of music too 'mainstream' or what ever but I want to encourage you still to give it go.
onething that helped me was if you look in my siggy I went to pitapata.com and got made a timeline wich helps me count the days and see how far ive gotten
I'm now 5yrs or so free (had a few 'mishaps' last year) and have found that taking it one day at a time helps and not 'blaming' yourself if you do slip up.
I found writing down my feelings let me 'feel' my emotions better than SI.
“Though she be but little, she is fierce!”
20.12 .07 - Cathryn
It will be 7 years for me in October (wow! Is it even possible?!) In the beginning, I stayed on RYL all day. When I'd have urges late at night, when things were quiet and everyone was asleep, I'd play the games on here. It was because of RYL I found out about escape the room games. Once I felt comfortable in my recovery outside of RYL I took up knitting. That kept my hands, and mind, busy. And creating lovely things gave me a sense of accomplishment.
My husband was also a wonderful support. Now I am a Christian, and I find that reading the Bible keeps me feeling hopeful instead of hopeless. There are times I nearly slip, but I have stayed clean these years. It's a great feeling.
I have a diary. Each day I am free of SI, I put a butterfly sticker on that day's entry.
When I feel like SIing the butterfly project helps me, as well as colouring in. I dont care if it sounds childish, but it helps me. You have something to show for it too.
Wannabe CPN : -)
"He who is tired of Weird Al is tired of life." - Homer Simpson "I hear those voices that will not be drowned" Sanity is a nasty disease. The world would be a happier place without it. - Rilic
RIP Kat 4th July 1987- 11th June 2013
going to the gym, and playing with my hamster helps me a lot!!! Read my journal to find out more :) good luck everyone and well done however I'm only 3weeks.clean but that's a massive achievement for me.. X
I've painted my closet doors with chalkboard paint, so when my friends come over I have them write encouraging messages to me. They help me to remember that there are people who care. I'm pretty sure the paint can be found at either a local craft store or hardware store. I'm not quite sure where my dad got it, but it's one of the two.
"The man in the song tries to love the girl, but she's not really there, not all the way. She's running from something inside of her that he can't see. I think that there's something like that inside of me." - Laurel, Love Letters to the Dead
Also, I like fire and the warmth it brings to me & the space around me. I usually write down all the things that are triggering me at the time (mostly negative things about myself) and burn them in the fireplace. There's something satisfying about watching your problems go up in smoke and turn to ash. Also if I'm feeling really stressed out at night, I sneak outside (usually around 3 am when it's the most clear) and look at the sky. When you think about how much stuff is out in the universe and that you're just a microscopic spec in the big picture, it makes problems seem a lot less daunting.
"The man in the song tries to love the girl, but she's not really there, not all the way. She's running from something inside of her that he can't see. I think that there's something like that inside of me." - Laurel, Love Letters to the Dead
talking to my friends
talking to my youth worker
coloring in
drawing
singing
dancing
scribbling
drawing in red pen
watching tv
watching movies
having a bath or shower a hot one
shoe shopping
disney games
using a weighted blanket
writing
cuddling my teddies
craft, art and design
cooking
baking
dying my hair
curling up in something fluffy
doing work [irony as this is normally a stressful thing for most]
meowing at the cat ^_^
if i think of anymore i'll come back and update....
"For I can do anything through Christ who strengthens me"
"You are good, you are good when there's nothing good in me"
Simply extend your love to someone or anyone.. even pets. puppies are really really awesome on showing loyalty. the joy they bring to your life is incredible. Knowing that someone's life depends on you (may it be a person or a pet), you'll begin to love yourself and you will surely hesitate to do SH..
It's been 11 years since I last SH (only one or two slip ups). What really helped was visualizing the reaction of someone who really loves me if they saw me. Also, occupying my hands with other things, going for a walk (even pacing) or just generally moving around or doing an activity that prevented me physically from being able to SH, and could also cause endorphin release to help feel better such as running.
