I normally wouldnt ask this, as I normally dont feel insecure about my “poor” choice of tattoos. Although I do semi-regret my Scandinavian tattoo, because after a DNA test it turns out we are less percentage Scandinavian than we thought. Im enough Scandinavian for my tattoo to not be cultural appropriation though, which is good. I’d be embarrassed if I was like .5% or less.
At any rate, I digress. My tattoo idea is a clock with the time 8:17 pm. In just under a month and a half it will be my anniversary of stopping the self harm, and that decision was made after my last cut, at 8:17 pm. (Also when I promised myself I’ll try my best not to get drunk again, and I have had two minor slip ups with alcohol but I’ve never had more than one at each slip up so the dont get drunk promise is still intact.)
I’ve been wanting to commemorate a tattoo that tells a story about my mental health struggles and triumphs and I feel a tiny bit vulnerable about this one. It would be the second most important tattoo that I have.
Is this idea too hokey? I like it because its discrete enough to not scream mentally ill, but it also tells a good story if someone asks and I feel comfortable sharing with them.
I think it sounds like a good idea. Just make sure you never go back to cutting or it will become meaningless and you will feel silly for getting it. I have faith that you won’t start again.
Actually I thought about that, and I still dont think I’d feel silly if I ended up faltering, it would still commemorate the first time managed to quit the self harm for a significant period of time. I think that’s something to be proud of, and even more motivation to hop back on the wagon.
I honestly feel like the self harm is in my past. I’m going through a pretty hard time right now, but I have ot made up in my mind that cutting isnt an option. I refuse to let my self go to that place again. I hope I keep that motivation ten years down the line.
I think that’s very creative! You should go for it!
I have a small red heart outlined in black on my left hand. Very few people know the real story behind it - I had bulimia for ten years and I put it there in recovery as a visual reminder to love myself.
I’d get it in a place most people don’t see so you don’t have to answer questions about it. But I think it’s a good reminder to you about your success in overcoming self-harm and to keep it up.
I’m becoming very comfortable with talking about my mental health. I’ve gotten so used to people’s stigma towards me, and I am not afraid to talk about my battles with depression and anxiety. I used to be.
Now I want to be an ambassador for people with mental illness. I want to advocate for the mentally ill the way my trestment team has advocated for me. I think in order to do that I have to be comfortable talking about my own struggles if people ask.
I’m not ashamed of my story, and if my story of overcoming self harm can inspire another person, then the stigma is worth it.
Someone’s got to get the conversation started, might as well be me.
There is a extremely tiny chance that the tattoo could have something to do with gangs. I don’t know anything about prison or gang tattoos, but there is always a chance.
