This is a self harm trigger warning.
It is a very tricky, delicate and sometimes triggering subject, so if you feel like this post could possibly be problematic for you in the future, I urge you to read something else on the blog. We got all kinds of fun stuff o'er here. <3
Oookay. I haven't ranted or raved about Tumblr in a while, so let's get down to it.
Truthfully, this debate/topic of discussion makes me incredibly uncomfortable.
Self harm is an absolute tragedy, and alarmingly widespread, and since I myself have never been a self-harmer, I sometimes feel as though my thoughts aren't legitimate or important.
But that's actually one of the reasons I decided to share my thoughts with you today.
Writing about deeply personal issues is a beautiful, cathartic feeling, but objectivity gives me more room to think, and also gives my readers more to chew on.
So here's the sitch.
Recently, on the wonderful website that is Tumblr, I have seen a surge of "self-harm scars" pride.
People taking pictures of their scars, posting them with pride, writing of exposing them like a badge of honour when they are out and about.
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| The Battle Wound Belief |
My thoughts, good and bad, are as follows:
Pro-Pride?
I'm hardly one to speak about privacy and keeping your problems to yourself. I mean, I did start this blog at the dawn of my recovery, putting myself out there, mostly for my own sanity, but also to hopefully help anyone in a similar situation.
I will forever stand by my decision to be raw and genuine with myself and others, so how could I judge anyone who chooses to make a similar decision?
Because isn't that what this whole self-harm scar pride is about?
Sharing a problematic past, to find closure for yourself but also to prove to others that recovery is possible?
To the naysayers who depict this practice as a call for attention, I say GTFO.
Yes, perhaps some show off their scars to attract sympathy, but that is no reason to shame an entire group.
Besides, a grand majority of those who struggle with self-harm keep their pain and depression to themselves, which results in this destructive coping mechanism.
Hence, I'd much rather see someone expose their truth in hopes that someone will notice than have a sufferer deal with their inner darkness on their own, unaccompanied by friends or family.
Wounded Wrist Worries
Unfortunately, my loves, I have issues with scar show-and-tell that I simply cannot disregard.
There is a reason I put a trigger warning at the beginning of this piece.
Self-harm scars are incredibly sensitive.
You never know who is struggling, or has struggled, or will struggle with self-harm.
That means you do not know how the sight of scars will affect them.
Those who feel proud of their recovery want to show off their accomplishment, which is quite understandable, but I also know none of them would want their pride to result in someone's relapse.
I've addressed this issue before, but we are not born into this world with the seeds of horrible coping mechanism planted into our brains. Someone or something else, intentional or not, gave us those tools.
Your classmate may not struggle with self harm or even depression at the moment, but the sight of your wrists could potentially pop into his/her head in a time of distress, and you never know what that could lead to.
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Is there a clear answer here? No, probably not, but for me there is a solution.
Solution: Open up about the problems that led you to that drastic measure. The depression, the anxiety, the fights, the school pressure, whatever it was for you.
Details about your self harm, including your scars, aren't as helpful to your support system, and could potentially be triggering for some.
Honesty, openness, catharsis, AND trigger-free? Check
Hope this helps add to the debate.
Have a wonderful day
xoxo
Gabby
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