With the following 28 keystrokes, I am going to write one of the most difficult sentences I have ever written for a public audience:
I struggle with self-injury.
Why is that so difficult to admit? I have openly talked about so many of my other struggles. Depression. Bipolar disorder. Anxiety. Suicide attempts. This is where I usually throw in a bit of humor to lighten the mood. You laugh. The tension releases. It’s hard to admit that, as I write this, my throat is tight.
I’m at a loss for a punch line.
When my two-year-old daughter notices my scars, she touches them and says, “Mommy! Boo-boo!” I wonder about what she’ll say when she gets older. I wonder what she’ll ask when she gets old enough to understand what they are. I wonder what I’ll tell her. But yes, my child, they are there; they are boo-boos. They are the type of boo-boo that people don’t often like to talk about.
If you struggle with self-injury as well, this is what I want to say to you:
You know the stretches of time where you’re managing OK? Those long periods—you know—a day, a week, a month, a year, years. Those stretches? Sometimes they end. It happens. I want you to know that it does not make you a failure. You, like myself, sometimes torture yourself with guilt even though you shouldn’t. I want you to know that a lapse does not mean no other stretches will come. You can persevere. You can continue to more stretches of “managing OK.” Heck, sometimes you can even manage well, excellent, fabulously, [insert your preferred, positive adjective here]. Your lapses do not define you.
If you know someone who struggles, this is what I want to say to you:
That friend or family member who struggles with self-injury has trusted you with one of the deepest, toughest, and most vulnerable parts of their story. Do not make them feel ashamed. Do not question their motives. Do not accuse them of seeking attention. Just love them. Just love them so hard it feels like it can wash away any wounds, any scars, any boo-boos.
Three words, a hyphenated compound word, and a period. That’s the structure of the sentence I struggled to type up there:
I struggle with self-injury.
If you’re wondering why I broke down the structure of the sentence itself, it’s because I’m a neurotic-when-vulnerable-slightly-awkward-but-mostly-amazing-English-major (ah, there’s the laugh).
Stigma makes it hard for that structure to exist. Stigma makes it hard for those 28 keystrokes to happen. Stigma makes four words nearly impossible to write. So, I offer myself, a vulnerable and terrified example to follow, in hopes that we will continue to break down stigma with our openness. In hopes that when my daughter, fifteen-years-old, asks me about my scars, I’ll be able to give her an answer. Not the right one—it’s not about having all the right answers. But an answer all the same.
None of us can heal if stigma holds our lips together tight. And that goes for all mental health struggles, not just this one. However, this is the one I want to talk about today.
So, know this: I’m not judging you, friend. Please be vulnerable with me, with others. Talk about your boo-boos. Be brave with your own keystrokes, your own words spoken out loud. People will meet you in your honesty. First you have to invite them in.
Myra
Thank you.
Sadie Ashley
Thank you for this. I can remember one time when ended a “good” stretch even tho it was a good day just because I was tired of the anxiety of wondering when I’d “mess up” again. I’ve come a long, long way since then but it’s always there, you know? And it’s so hard to admit (I don’t, actually) that it’s still so present in my thoughts and memories even though I’m in my longest good stretch in years. So thank you, for writing this, so I could read it. And nerdy word-lovers unite. 🙂
Sarah
Yes, Thank you.
Fio
Wow. I’m amazed. Thank you. It’s difficult to talk about it, but it helps to heal (knowing that from experience)
Scarlet
I love this.
Nancy
28 keystrokes. My life
Stacie
Brave. And a good use of your English major skills. ?
Danika
I struggle too. I went a year and then relapsed…twice in one month. It was so hard to open up about it and it didn’t go over too well so thank you for this. It hurts knowing your family and close friends shame and judge but it really helps to know there are those out here that understand. Thank you again.
Rena
Thank you for writing this.
I still remember this one time when I had a mark on my arms and my little sons asked me where it came from. I’m fearing these questions all the time, for how can I be a role model to them, how can I tell them to love themselves, when I don’t know how to treat myself right, when I have to fight ever so often for not giving in to the urge to hurt myself.
I still remember this horrid day when an acquaintance asked where this mark came from and my husband laughed and said “Oh, it didn’t happen accidentally. She did it to herself“. I still remember the shame, the embarassment and the betrayal I felt at this moment and I don’t want to ever feel that way again.
So thank you for having the courage to type those words. Because they are oh so true. Because every time, someone telks a story like this, it helps breaking down the stigma. Because thanks to you and everyone else as courageous, there might come a time, when I can confess it myself, certainly without being proud ofit, but without me having to be ashamed of it, either.
Angela
I struggle with self-injury.
I’ve struggled this past week. I keep picking at the (comment removed due to content), hoping that will keep me from doing it again.
My son is 16. He hasn’t asked and I wouldn’t know what to say anyway.
Trying to stay strong!
Becky Ebert
Hi Angela,
You are incredibly brave for sharing your struggles. We hope that you will seek out the help that you deserve for yourself and your well-being. Please look at our help page here: https://twloha.com/find-help/local-resources/ And if you would like to, you can email us at [email protected]. We would be honored to hear more of your story, and will reply back as soon as we can. And if you are in need of immediate assistance, please text TWLOHA to 741741 via Crisis Text Line. You will be connected to a trained counselor.
You do not need to hurt yourself. You deserve love and kindness, from yourself and others.
With Hope,
TWLOHA
Rosiiie
Beautiful. Thank you for writing this.
I’ve just crashed out of an ok stretch and things feel darker and murkier than ever before. I normally push myself to talk because I know it’s good to let other people in, but this time I’m struggling to talk to anyone, to let anyone in.
I needed to hear this tonight, thank you.
Becky Ebert
Hi Rosie,
We’re glad that Nik’s words could help you in some way. You are not alone in how you are feeling. It’s good to recognize when you need to talk (even when you would rather keep it all inside). Please email us at [email protected] if you would like to share your story. We are always here to listen and will reply back as soon as we can. And if you are in need of immediate help, please text TWLOHA to 741741 via Crisis Text Line, you will be connected to a trained counselor. Sending you infinite amounts of hope and love.
With Hope,
TWLOHA
Ramon Shitta
I teared up at the part “Mommy! Boo-boo!”. It both highlights the innocence and strength of that moment at the same time. Sometimes ignorance is really the best. I often fear that as we share most of the good in our lives, we forget that we are able to have lapses as you called it. Thank you for sharing
Kerina Rae
Thank you so much for sharing this. For allowing us to read and understand no one is alone with this. To know that every time I struggle thru another bad moment and each time it’s harder to walk away from the “wild child” side I call self injury; that even if I finally after almost 8 years of being ok, I still won’t be a failure if I break down on my path. But because this website exist and people like you share your story…tonight my “wild child” stays safely caged for another day or week or who knows how long. So again thank you for sharing and reaching someone that needed to know even failing isn’t failing it’s simply another path I had to chose which way I needed to go.
Sarah
Thank you.
I needed to hear this tonight, your words reminded me that I can keep forgiving myself for those times of relapse that have happened, and the ones that may come. I’ve struggled with self harm for years. This past year has been tough for me and I’ve lapsed a few times. You reminded me that it’s okay. We never stop needing that reminder.
Thank you for your words, and thank you for saying them so that people who need to hear them, can.
Maci
This is the most liberating blog I have read in a very long time. It has given me hope. Thank you, Nik
Zee Marie
I admire you thank-you for your honesty. I just wish that you’d write what you’re struggles are why you self-harm. I’m sorry if I’m getting personal. It’s just that I had a relapse and my longest time ever is about 4 months and that’s because my family took away all the sharp things. They didn’t even realize the first few years that I was until
one summer came around and i wore long sleeves and pants all year round. It’s not that I want to self-harm. i just want to feel pain,I need to be physically hurt. (Comment removed due to content.) Every one of my friends have gone from my life. My sister doesn’t want to talk about anything, my other family and siblings wouldn’t even get what I’m going through. I’ve been wanting pain fr so long that I’ve actually developed bulimia. I don’t think I want to get better, because I don’t deserve to. Thank-you for even reading this. i’m sure that you care, but you also need help yourself.
Zee Marie
By the way to the readers of his story I am 15 years old. i started self-injuring when I was 11.
Becky Ebert
Hi Zee Marie,
Please know that you are not alone in your struggles. And although you feel as though you cannot talk to your friends or sister or family about your issues, know that you can talk to a professional, you can talk to us. You deserve help. These feelings and desires to hurt yourself do not have to be your reality. There is help out there. Recovery is possible.
We suggest that you seek out professional help. You can start here at our Find Help page: http://www.twloha.com/findhelp
You can email us at [email protected] any time. We read and respond to every email. Please email us when you need someone to listen and offer you encouragement.
Also, by texting TWLOHA to 741741 via Crisis Text Line, you will be connected to a trained counselor (24/7). They are there to help you. They want to help you. No matter what.
Please seek out the help you deserve, Zee!
With Hope,
TWLOHA
April
Thank you, those are words that I can not say or type. Not yet any way. I too can talk about other demons from my past but not this demon, as it still walks with me daily. My children only know my arms full of scars and fresh….. but since I do yard work and a single mom they accept when I say it was a fence that got me or something along those lines. No friend has asked no family has questioned. I just wait for the stretches when all is right in my world and hope not to fall from the tight rope and land in the dark hole. I am scared to open up and to share with friends and family for the look of pity or disgust and the judgment. That would tear me apart more than hiding it.
TWLOHA
Hi April,
The strength and courage that brought you to our page and this blog post is inspiring. We hope that you will email us at [email protected]? Our team is here, and we would be honored to know more about you, your story, and the wonderful family you speak of. We hope to offer you support and provide you with some encouragement.
You do not deserve to hurt, and we believe that there is help out there that could bring you out of this difficult time you’re finding yourself in.
We also believe that your family and friends, if they reflect your grace in any manner, will be supportive and understanding. Please know that you don’t have to go through this alone, April. We hope to hear from you soon.
With Hope,
TWLOHA
Jess
This is one of the most inspiring, relatable, and powerful things I have ever read. It makes me feel better about sudden urges after years clean of self-harm. Thank you.
Joanna
I think you are so brave. I myself had a setback with years with no self injury. I struggle, i’ve always had the support of my husband, even before we dated. He would always know, tell me I’m beautiful and he would never leave, i only needed to rely on him. I always felt like i was letting him down. We’re still working hard every day, and i know how lucky i am to have his support.
Nora
Thank you
Pheobee
I need communities like this so much. Recently, I tried owning the scares. I trusted a friend with the true story instead of the ridiculous lie that everyone else seems to accept without pause. The only problem is, now my friend is uncomfortable around me. As much as she claimed to understand, I placed an insurmountable burden on her. I try to keep long sleeves on or bandaids…but I still get dressed every morning deciding on whether being hot in 103 degree temperatures are more uncomfortable than coming up with some implausible lie for those who ask what happened. We need spaces where we can tell the truth. We need spaces where we can say so many weeks later that I don’t recognize the feeling that caused the scars but I know that it won’t stay away forever. Acceptance is still a long way away but it’s nice to have someplace to be where there is hope in equal measure to the shame. Thank you.
nicole
Honestly, I’m scared to go to school or even show my arms around. But one thing I’m worried about is when I have kids, is them asking what it is or what happened. I have no idea how I’m going to answer that. But I just relapsed for 1 year. And it’s hard honestly.
TWLOHA
Hi Nicole,
We’re so grateful you reached out and commented. We would love it if you would reach out to our team at [email protected] so we could learn more about you and your journey and recovery from self-harm.
We also hope that you will read another blog by Zo Chambers-Ward that may inspire and encourage you through your struggles: https://twloha.com/blog/embracing-my-scars/
With Hope,
TWLOHA
Heather
thank you.
Tasha
I needed to hear this. Thank you.
Kelly
Thank you. Just… thank you.
Swenja
Hello dear Nik,
I am currently writing my bachelor’s thesis in visual communications and have decided to bring more attention to the topic of self-harm.
During my research, I came across your blog post on TWLOHA and I would like to incorporate part of it into my bachelor’s thesis – of course, only with your permission.
If you are willing to support me with this, just reach out to me via e-mail ([email protected]) and I’ll provide you with some more detailed information.
Thanks in advance