..::Skin Deep::..

try some of these alternatives to help you stop self harming!

1) hold ice cubes in ur hand and when they let, close ur eyes and imagine the water runnin down ur hands as blood (I KNOW ITS COLD, BUT IT DOES WORK)

2) throw blood red paint at a board, and imagine the paint as blood

3) write down ur thoughts and feelins down on paper (when u feel upset, angry etc.), read ova wot uve written, rip it up and throw it in the bin

4) throw EVERYTHING sharp that u have in ur room, into the bin

5) tlk 2 sum1 bout how u feel, sum1 u trust

6) take a long walk

7) bite, punch, hit etc. a pillow for as long as u like

8) scream, swear, etc at the top of ur voice, in a room on ur own

9) put an elastic band round ur wrist and when u wanna cut, snap it (THIS MAY HURT A BIT, BUT ITS BETTER THAN HAVIN HORRIBLE SCARS LEFT ON UR ARMS)

10) listen 2 ur favourite track/song ova and ova again, and think about the words in it

11) get a personal CD player, go 2 the park and lay on the grass 4 however long u like, listenin 2 ur music and watchin the clouds float by

12) read a favourite childhood book, and think about ur childhood

13) cry. cry for however long u like its better 2 let out all ur feelins!

14) try not 2 b alone, if ur alone, then ur more likely 2 harm urself, so go round a friends house, help ur mum do housework, (WE DONT LIKE DOIN HOUSEWORK AT THE BEST OF TIMES, BUT THIS WAY UR NOT ALONE 2 HARM URSELF) do nething but make sure ur not alone!

i hope these help, mail me if u ever wanna tlk, ok?
1. exercise, running etc
2. putting on fake tattoos
3. drawing on yourself in red marker (make sure it’s washable!)
4. scribbling on sheets and bits of paper
5. writing (poetry, stories, journal, etc)
6. cuddling with a stuffed toy
7. being with other people
8. watching a favourite TV show (preferably a comedy)
9. posting on web boards, and answering others’ posts
10. thinking about how I DON’T want scars for the summer
11. painting your nails
12. going to see a movie
13. eating something ridiculously sweet (or any favourite food)
14. doing school work
15. surf the internet
16. go into chat rooms to talk
17. call a friend and ask for company
18. playing a musical instrument
19. singing
20. looking up at the sky (night is especially beautiful)
21. making your own list of things to do instead of cutting yourself
22. punching a punching bag (with gloves on)
23. snapping an elastic band on your wrist (or hair band)
24. cover myself in plasters where I want to cut myself
25. mix warm water and red food colouring, and put it on your skin (feels and looks like blood)
26. letting yourself cry (can be very difficult for some)
27. sleep (only if you are tired)
28. a hot shower, or a relaxing bath (no razorblades in the bath, though)
29. play with a pet
30. detangling yarn or necklaces
31. re-organizing your room
32. cleaning (hmmm… I very rarely use this one!)
33. having a pillowfight with the wall (yes, neighbours may think you are crazy, but that’s ok)
34. knitting or sewing
35. reading a good book
36. dressing up very glamorously (make sure no one can walk in on you, though)
37. colouring your hair
38. listening to music (not angry music though – this can trigger you to cut)
39. watching a candle burn (no playing with the flames!)
40. finding someone else you can help out
41. meditate
42. watching a scary (but not bloody) movie
43. work on a website
44. have a vivid fantasy love affair with a celebrity
45. go somewhere very public
46. bake cookies
47. alphabetize your CD’s
48. chewing gum
49. buy a home Henna tattoo kit (peels off the next day – similar to skin picking)
50. painting or drawing
51. ripping paper into tiny pieces
52. hugs (this one is very nice…)
53. writing letters or emails
54. talk to yourself (or if that feels weird, buy a small tape recorder – I then feel like someone is listening)
55. stroke nice fabrics
56. hug a pillow
57. hyperfocus on something like a rock, hand, etc
58. fingerpaint
59. scream really loud (I LOOOVE this one – just make sure no one is home)
60. dance
61. make hot chocolate (mmmmm…)
62. pop bubble wrap
63. play with modelling clay or play-dough
64. count to one hundred
65. build a pillow for
66. pop balloons
67. hug yourself
68. sex
69. reading things in a different language
70. going for a nice long drive or walk
71. complete something you’ve been putting off
72. drinking absurd amounts of tea
73. breaking plastic plates
74. tearing up socks
75. throwing socks against the wall
76. archery
77. rock climbing
78. take up a new hobby
79. organise bills or bits of paper that are important
80. cook a meal
81. go out for ice cream
82. buy a stuffed animal (I collect Beanie Babies)
83. look at pretty things – like flowers or artwork
84. create something
85. pray
86. make a list of blessings in your life
87. read the Bible
88. go to a friend’s house
89. take up fencing
90. watch an old, happy movie
91. call a help hotline or your therapist
92. talk to someone close to you that knows you cut yourself
93. throw a temper tantrum
94. hit things – other than yourself
95. ride a bicycle
96. polish silver or jewellery
97. gardening or watering house plants
98. memorizing German poetry (silly, but works!)
99. CHOCOLATE!!!!!!!!!
100.feed the ducks, birds or squirrels, etc
101.draw on the walls
102.play with facepaint
103.do very glamorous make-up
104.colour with crayons
105.rise a novel, a play or a song
106.put on boots and STAMP
107.stretch
108.find butterflies
109.watch fish
110.come up with baby names (even if you’re not pregnant)
111.make mashed potatoes
112.make a tape of your favourite songs
113.name all of your stuffed animals
114.go SHOPPING!!!!!
115.get into my pyjamas and just veg
116.buy cheap teddy bears and take out your anger on them instead of yourself
117.throw everything (except glass) into the recycling centre
118.go to a loud concert
119.play the 15 minute game (say you can’t cut for 15 minutes, and when the time is up, start again)
120.plan your wedding
121.hunt for stuff on ebay (you can find ANYTHING on there)
122.alphabetize your books
123.hunt for your perfect home in the paper
124.take up Tai Chi
125.try to make as many words out of your full name as possible, then do your friends names
126.count ceiling tiles/lights
127.go clubbing
128.search ridiculous things on the web
129.colour co-ordinate your wardrobe
130.do a home tan on yourself
131.sort out all your photographs
132.colour (or scribble) over the pretty women in magazines
133.plan a party
134.play with a slinky
135.buy yourself some new toys and play with them
136.start collecting something
137.get a tattoo/piercing
138.play video/computer games
139.do a trash clean at your local park
140.play on a swingset
141.go out and perform a random act of kindness for someone
142.call up an old friend
143.write yourself an “I love you because” letter
144.put on fake nails
145.try to build something
146.re-arrange your bedroom
147.go to a public place and people watch
148.go through all your old stuff
149.go bargain hunting
150.smile at at least five people (you usually end up smiling genuinely yourself)
151.go to the zoo and rename all the animals