Posts tagged cutting

(Source: letthelight-in)

I’ve been reading about the butterfly project, and it sounds like such a great idea. I wanted to write my opinion about it here and hopefully encourage someone to try the project who is currently cutting or struggling in their abstinence. This project seems to be a great inspiration & effort. In the replies to this post, tell me your story of recovery, share your inspirtation with others.

The rules are quite simple to spell out, but for cutters, the rules can be lifesaving. They express a sentiment that’s near and dear to my heart. People hurt us plenty of times, and life is hard. The one thing I hope some of you take from this is that we don’t have to make things worse by harming ourselves.

I think the alternative that the project gives is beautiful and elegant. When my sons were growing up, they had their share of problems, but fortunately they never cut. If they had and I knew about this project, I certainly would have suggested they think about it.

I copied and pasted the rules from the website, The Butterfly Project.

The Rules are:
“1. When you feel like you want to cut, take a marker, pen, or sharpies and draw a butterfly on your arm or hand.
2. Name the butterfly after a loved one, or someone that really wants you to get better.
3. You must let the butterfly fade naturally. NO scrubbing it off.
4. If you cut before the butterfly is gone, you’ve killed it. If you dont cut, it lives.
5. If you have more than one butterfly, cutting kills all of them.
6. Another person may draw them on you. These butterflies are extra special. Take good care of them.
7. Even if you don’t cut, feel free to draw a butterfly anyways, to show your support. If you do this, name it after someone you know that cuts or is suffering right now, and tell them. It could help.

I hope everyone had a positive day yesterday on self-harm awareness day. If you find yourself or someone you know struggling to stop cutting here are some simple tools for recovery:

Remove all hidden gauze, blades, razors, knives, etc anyplace you may have kept them. Tell on yourself if you have to and let your parent or close friend help you throw them away.

Put a rubber band on your wrist & snap it when you have the urge to cut yourself. It does not release the same addictive endorphins (and so it will help break the addictive cycle) but it does fulfill the similar sharp pain sensation cutters crave.

Distract yourself until the urge passes. It will pass!

Call a friend or anyone and talk about something completely different to distract your mind.

Try something active to redirect the energy like running, swimming, sit ups, or jumping jacks.

Draw a picture, keep your hands busy & express what you’re feeling. Not an artist? That’s okay, I find free-flowing pen scribbles with intersecting lines, the most therapeutic artistic release.

If you’re religious or spiritual, pray for the urge to pass, for the strength to not act.

Listen to music, try & memorize/recite lyrics to your favorite songs.

Play with a pet.

Work through your triggers, write and talk about what you’re feeling.

Draw a butterfly on your arm or where ever you usually cut & consider it an embodiment of your freedom from the addiction of cutting & so long as you do not cut you will keep that butterfly alive.

Learn more about “the butterfly project” here: http://butterfly-project.tumblr.com/

For more information visit my website: www.markdworkin.com