I remember the pain of self-injury, but not in the way that people might expect. I mostly remember the internal pain that led me to those moments: the shaking hands, the feeling that hurting myself was the only way to make up for the sins of my past, the way I wholeheartedly believed that I was doing the right thing by punishing myself. The shame. The secrets. The fear in knowing someone might see the recent marks if the corner of my shorts lifted up.
Throughout the entirety of my childhood and the majority of my teenage years, I never needed to self-injure. I had harnessed the ability to leave the present moment without even vacating the room. But that changed. Eventually, that desire boiled over and manifested itself in the form of self-injury.
I could no longer push my emotions down. I could no longer escape my trauma. So I turned to self-injury. I was 20 the first time I was “successful” at harming myself physically.
Over the last three years, I’ve strung together periods of time where I was clean from self-injury for a single day, an entire week, even ten months — only to relapse. It’s frustrating. But there’s no shame in that.
Today though, I’ve reached a full year of being clean.
So maybe it’ll be different this time.
Maybe I won’t relapse.
I have to believe in that possibility.
Maybe you’re like me, and you’ve personally struggled with self-injury. Or maybe you know someone who has. Maybe you’ve never hurt yourself, but you think about it all the time.
I see you.
And I want you to know and to believe:
You don’t have to hurt yourself.
You don’t have to hate yourself.
It doesn’t have to be like this.
And while I may be one year clean today, there is not a week that I don’t have to remind myself that I do not deserve to hurt myself. I do not deserve self-inflicted pain.
I deserve love.
I deserve to be free.
I deserve gentleness.
And so do you.
Michelle
I find it impossible to believe I deserve anything other than pain and hate.
TWLOHA
You do, Michelle. You deserve love and respect. Please treat yourself with kindness. You can always reach out to us at [email protected] whenever you need someone to listen. Also, we do encourage people to seek out professional help in addition. By texting TWLOHA to 741-741, you will be put in contact with a trained counselor. Michelle, you are worthy of love and hope and help. Please believe that.
Lucy
So do I, a lot of the time. Practice self care even if you don’t think you deserve it. Challenge the negative thoughts by asking yourself for evidence of the ‘facts’ you’re telling yourself. Tell yourself that you deserve more over & over, even if you don’t believe it. Maybe one day it’ll sink in for both of us. Hang on in there. You aren’t alone.
Gwen
No matter what you’ve done, no one deserves to be physically hurt, rather by themselves, of by someone else!! God is love, and He loves you no matter who you are, or what you’ve done. Turn you life over to Him, and He will take care of you!! Things won’t ALWAYS be coming up roses, life is just life after all, but He can help you through anything you might be going through!! EVERYONE deserves to be loved and cared for!!
E
Thanks for this post! This month is 2 years clean for me after 11 years. I started when I was 19. I still can’t say it will be forever, I struggled recently, but I managed to stay clean. I wish I could say I believe I deserve everything you listed at the end, but I’m still working on it. It is clear to me though that the hard work is worth it!
Theresa
While I’ve gone several months now without hurting myself, and I can sometimes go days with out the thought of hurting me coming to mind, there isn’t a day that goes by that I feel that I’m deserving of anything more than pain by own hand. It is often the only thing I can control
TWLOHA
Hi Theresa. Thank you for commenting. It takes true courage to write and address what you’re going through. We are so proud of you for finding the ability to go a significant amount of time without hurting yourself. You don’t deserve to hurt. Physically or mentally. So please continue down that path! We do encourage you to seek out professional help to sort through those thoughts you are having on a daily basis. You can look for local resources here: https://twloha.com/find-help/local-resources/ Or you can text TWLOHA to 741-741 and be put in contact with a trained counselor in a matter of minutes. Those thoughts don’t have to be yours forever. You can get better. You are so brave.
Theresa
I wish I could believe you. I look at my life and all I see is the things that happened. I feel so unclean
Laura Wilson
Keep on Keeping ON!!! I went to extremes… I tried to end my life several no more than several times…it was an extremely hard habit to break. I had to leave where I grew up to grow out of that hopelessness I felt inside me. I have been “clean” now for quite sometime…I think 2009 was my last attempt. It doesn’t mean the thought has not crossed my mind at times. But I tr to dismiss it as fast as I can. Like you I have to remember I am worthy of good things and to be happy. So in case no one told ya. I AM PROUD OF YOU
Janeil
Thanks so much for sharing this. I celebrated 5 years clean just last month and I can totally relate. You’re so brave for sharing this and have really inspired me to keep going. You got this.
<3.
Lucy
Thank you for this post & well done. Keep fighting, you’ve done amazingly & are an inspiration.
SJ
This post couldn’t have come at a better time. Thank you for the reminder. Everyday is a battle worth fighting – I constantly remind myself that on my worst days; those are the days to remember that the better days will show me why I fight.
Laur
I pray every moment of every day that someday my daughter will be one year free of self inflicted pain
Joyce
Congratulations and good for you!! A huge step!! Best of everything for you Sami!! You are a warm wonderful beautiful Lady and yes you deserve to be happy!!
Megan
It’s so hard to keep myself from doing it. I’m afraid one day I won’t be able to stop myself. My friends think it’s insane that I even consider it, some don’t even talk to me ever since I asked them for help. I’m so alone. Am I supposed to pretend that every thing is ok? Because I don’t think I can anymore.
TWLOHA
Hi Megan. You are so brave for sharing your story with us. Thank you for reaching out.
To answer your question, no, you don’t have to pretend that everything is okay. Maybe your friends can’t help you right now, or in the way you want them to, but there is help out there. You can get the help you need and deserve. Please visit our help page here: https://twloha.com/find-help/local-resources/ And if you are in need of professional help in an immediate sense, you can text TWLOHA to 741-741 via the Crisis Text Line. You will be put in contact with a trained counselor in minutes.
You are so strong. You don’t have to pretend anymore. Sending love and hope.
Jeannine
I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for this, it’s beautifully written. I’m six years clean, but that sure as hell wasn’t always easy. These are really beautiful things to tell yourself when you’re feeling down or weak. Thanks for providing me some. I wrote them down and will remember them. We will keep going, always. Much love <3
Jeanne
I tend to be okay for a little and then I relapase. My parents, my family are there for me. I have everything I need in my life but there are demons that I have to face, that I have to be strong
Ren
I’m so proud of you, you are so strong! I was a year clean January 9 and I know how much of a proud feeling it is. Good job love, stay strong
wren
thank you
Ashley
This is beautiful. I can’t say I self-harm because of the same reasons you do, but it wasn’t until I was 19 or so when I started. It’s been eleven years now, and maybe one day I can say I’ve been clean for a whole year. Right now I can say it’s been five months. Thank you for sharing.
Margaret
every day seems the same. i see darkness beyond. no one understands how you take a blade n harm yourself or try suicide when they think your life is perfect.
am sad very sad. wondering when i wont need something to 4get my pain…. not sure if i can ever fit in
myb its
TWLOHA
Margaret, you don’t deserve to hurt yourself. You deserve love and hope and acceptance. Please allow yourself to feel and have those things. The pain you are feeling may demand to be acknowledged, but please do not add more hurt to it. You can always reach out to us at [email protected] when you need someone to listen, but we do suggest professional help as well. Text TWLOHA to 741741 via the Crisis Text Line. You will be connected with a trained counselor who can help you through these times. You are worthy of love and help.
Ren L
Margaret, I don’t know you, but I know what you’re going through. I went through a really dark time when I couldn’t go an hour without a blade. I know how hard it is, but you are beautiful love. There is hope and healing for you, not only through TWLOHA but through so many other outlets that will not hurt you. I began listening to Switchfoot because I heard of them through this organization and the song This Is Your Life was one of the biggest pushes I got that inspired me to get help. I don’t know how or if we can connect but I will always be here for you in spirit and in prayer. You are strong, beautiful, and worthy of love.
Mel
I may not know you, but I am so, so proud of you. I know how hard it is to reach this incredible milestone, because I’ve been through it. I remember my first “anniversary”. I felt like I conquered myself, or at least the part of me that wanted to destroy myself. It is truly one of the best feelings for people like us. And you’re absolutely right, you don’t deserve to tear yourself apart or hurt yourself for your past misgivings. You’re only human, and I’m so glad you’ve realised that. Best of luck with your journey. You can do it, I promise. <3
Molly
Hey I’m molly I’ve stufferd with selfharm since I was 13 and eating disordered behaviors sicne I was 19 I’m 24 now and still struggle with the thoughts and still catch myself body checking lately I’ve been thinking about ending it ending mylife but I know shouldn’t cause I have a child I’m finding help my own way through self recovery and renees story gives me hope I really wish that your shirts and stuff were selling all around the world still it would help even more.
Becky Ebert
Hi Molly. Thank you for reaching out. We are so thrilled that this blog spoke to you. You deserve love and respect. Please try to never deny yourself what you have and will always deserve. If there is ever a time you need to speak with someone, you can text TWLOHA to 741741 via the Crisis Text Line and be connected to a trained counselor. You can also email us at [email protected] whenever you need someone to listen. You are not alone. There is both hope and help out there.
We do sell and ship our merch outside of the United States. Perhaps we do ship to you?
Sending you hope.
Teresa Clark
Thank you for this. I struggled for years and it now been a year since my last relapse. Like you I hope that will be the last time. We deserve freedom from it and the stigma. God bless!
Nikki
This blog gives me hope. I was going on a year and two months clean of self harm, until recently I had a relapse. Now it seems harder and harder for me to fight the urge. But I just tell myself that I need to pick myself back up and start again. As long as I’m trying. Proud of you!! Its people like you that give me hope everyday. 🙂
Soraya Lugo
I really appreciate this article, and can relate to how you experienced self-harm so much. The moments before I self-harmed was so painful, the feeling I felt inside, it was being at the lowest, darkest place in my mind and heart and feeling no other way out than to relieve the pain by self-harming. Thank you for sharing, it really helps. A little over a month passed when I relapsed and hurt myself again, I experienced a new kind of pain my heart could not handle and scratched my progress away into a 0 again… It felt horrible to erase and throw away all my hard work, but I have faith in me I can go a year clean again- and maybe this time continue until I reach 2 years, and more. Best of luck to all of you dealing with self-harm, you deserve better, and I pray for your recovery.
I had been clean for over a year when I wrote this poem called “The Last To Touch These Wrists”, written on December 5th, 2016…
Checked my wrists tonight…
Haven’t done that in a while, haven’t had the need to.
But there’s been so much on my mind lately,
I had to look in response to my feeling blue.
I had to check that they were free of
(removed due to content) and pain, and tears,
something I’d grown so used to seeing over so many years.
I slide my left hand over from my arm
down,
it glides slowly over my forearm,
smoothly onto my wrist,
to a part of my body my (removed due to content) has surely missed.
Yes, I am clean.
I have no (removed due to content),
nothing causing ridges or grooves on my wrist.
The last thing to have touched these wrists was the pair of lips that I’d also kissed.
Those were the last to touch these wrists.
I am so happy to see them appear pure, and plain,
when they once used to tell a story about a sad girl,
whose eyes were at once so full of water, they could start a rain,
a downpour born out of pain.
At times I used to constantly see the results of my self-harming,
now I can look down and smile to see that this stain no longer exists.
Kayti
?? I just hit my three year mark after 15 years. So exciting! For two and half of those years I was so scared I would “mess up”, but I’m so glad that my brain isn’t even there anymore. The urges are gone and I’m full of hope now. It’s worth the fight and the pain!
Kerina Rae
Thank you for sharing. I have been clean for 8 years. There are good days and bad days and then really bad days where I find myself sitting in the bathroom with the internal debate of just do it this one time. So far I have been successful at finding my way out of the wormhole, but every time is hard and enlightening. I do not know if I will relapse again but if I do I have accepted that it will be what I needed to do to get thru. Tomorrow will be another day to start over and not feel guilty or like a failure. I hope I can reflect on it as a stepping stone like all the other times I have relapsed over. I feel better knowing I am not alone in the journey.
Vee
Wow, just reading this inspired me even more to stay clean. I’ve been clean for 55 days and I’ll tell you, it’s been very difficult. I’m ashamed and very afraid to talk to my family about it and because I’m afraid that I’ll be judged or disappoint them instead of getting their support to stay clean.
Natalie
I’m 16 and I’m only a week clean. And I’m scared that I won’t be able to last this next week without cutting myself. I almost relapsed tonight but I didn’t but I’m terrified because I also don’t know if I’ll be able to go to sleep. And I need to go to sleep because my schoolwork is starting struggle. And I feel worthless and like a complete failure and like that’s all I’ll every be. I’m trying so hard. But what if it’s not enough? What if I’m not strong enough to stop cutting myself? I just feel like a complete disappointment all the time. And that feeling gets so overwhelming that I go numb. But I carry on because if I don’t, who will my sisters look up to? Who will my best friends call to complain to? I carry on because of the people I love. But I wish I could pack everything up and just run away from everything
TWLOHA
Hi Natalie,
A week may seem short, but we promise that it is nothing to scoff at. You should be incredibly proud of yourself for accomplishing that.
Please take what comfort you can in us telling you that you are not a failure – now or ever. We have ups and downs, we make mistakes, we succeed. Our failures, are not failures, but rather lessons. Moments where we can either dwell on the mishaps, or learn and grow. You’re already showing just how strong you are by expressing how you’re feeling with us here.
Natalie, you are doing great. And we are here for you. Please email us at [email protected] if you need some encouragement. We are rooting for you each and every day. And in the moments when you need some immediate support, please text TWLOHA to 741741. You’ll be connected to a trained counselor via Crisis Text Line, who is there to help you. It’s free and available 24/7.
Sending hope,
TWLOHA
Lexi Harris
this is amazing. i am about four months clean and your story is encouraging to me and a reminder to keep my streak going. i wish you the best of luck. you got this!!
Sasha
Thank you
Maggie Peterson
Two years today. <3
Nathan L LaVelle
I am currently addicted and it isnt getting better. what should I do?????
TWLOHA
Hi Nathan,
Our hope would be for you to get the professional help you need and deserve. Our Find Help page is a good place to start: twloha.com/find-help. We would be honored if you would also take the time to email our team at [email protected] so we can learn more about you, your story, and your struggles.
We’re so grateful you reached out, Nathan. Recovery is possible!
With Hope,
TWLOHA
Maddy Filipski
I am reading this on the one year of my almost suicide attempt, I was about to do it and I had a moment of clarity & stopped myself & went to bed. I went into the mental hospital the next day for 6 years of self harm, almost 7. Tomorrow will be one year clean for me & it’s a very weird feeling, but reading this helped me SO MUCH !!!!!! Thank you!!!!!!!!
TWLOHA
Maddy!
This is amazing. We’re so inspired by your strength. We’re glad you’re here.
With Hope,
TWLOHA
Erin
I am 1 week clean today and I was so close to relapsing for the 3rd time the 1st after 6 months then I went onto a massive period of time where I needed the numbness and then 2 weeks clean then another relapse. I’m horrified of this happening again but this helped so much thank you. I started when I was 11
TWLOHA
Erin,
We are truly glad you found these words and that they’ve resonated with you. Please know that we’re proud of you, especially for your honesty, willingness to be vulnerable, and for extending grace.
With Hope,
TWLOHA
April
Good
Kim Goddard
I haven’t cut,burnt myself for 9 months
I was in a job that I enjoyed but no-one else cared
I cryed at work cry when I get home cutting and burning was the only way to let out all the anger
TWLOHA
Kim,
We are so sorry to hear that you are struggling. You deserve to be surrounded by people who support and care about you. If you need a space to share, you are always welcome to email us at [email protected]. We also encourage you to visit our FIND HELP Tool for affordable mental health resources in your area: twloha.com/find-help. You are not alone, friend. We are here for you.
With Hope,
TWLOHA
Trixie
I’m only young. I don’t even know how else to cope.
TWLOHA
It’s OK that you don’t know how else to cope. There are people who can help you find alternative coping mechanisms that work for you. Would you email us at [email protected] so we can learn more about your experience and offer you some encouragement?
kay
love you darling <33 this shit makes me feel better, sine yesterday i broke my "being clean" record and now im back at 0. im planning to continue my clean streak
Swenja
Hello dear Maggie,
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