Free Your Wrists Friday: Go a Day Without Hiding

Whether you currently self-harm or haven’t hurt yourself in years, visible self-injury scars and marks can still bring forward insecure emotions. Some people may use makeup to cover up marks and many others use bracelets or long sleeves as a safety shield. You become so comfortable hiding your self-harm that when you are asked not to wear or do those things, you grow anxious.

It’s completely normal to feel uncomfortable when breaking away from something you’re used to. Routines are made to keep our lives on track, but sometimes it is okay to step off of the line for a moment and change things up.

How about, for one day, you don’t hide your marks? That’s definitely changing things up.

You Hide Your Self-Harm Scars for Comfort

Even though I only have a few noticeable scars from my years of cutting, I still must wear bracelets on a daily basis. It has become not only comfortable, but a sensory habit as well. I’m very used to having something there and when I take them off, I’m always wrapping my hand around my wrists. For 10 years I have rarely ever taken my bracelets off and when I have had to, I’ve either broken down or become extremely anxious. This anxiety still occurs today when I either forget my jewelry or am asked to take it off for some reason.

There are many people out there who feel the same way about hiding the areas that have been victim to self-harm. It brings you a sense of safety and comfort and no one likes that comfort being taken away. Nobody wants to be pointed at or questioned about cuts, burns or bruises.

However, what if you were the one to step out from your comfort circle and purposely fight your own anxiety? What if instead of grabbing foundation or a long-sleeved sweatshirt, you changed up your routine and let your scars show? Showing your scars would not be for seeking attention, but proof that you survived a self-harm struggle.

Most of all, you would be freeing your arms to prove to yourself that you can face your own anxieties and conquer them – like you have, or will, conquer self-harm.

Make Friday Your Day to be Free

By choosing one day to go bracelet or makeup free, you are slowly becoming more comfortable with the skin you are in. You are facing different demons than you are used to, but proving, again, to yourself that you have the strength to do so.

This will not be easy. I fear the idea of “Freeing my Wrists” for one day; l but I know it will help make me stronger. By deciding not to wear bracelets (or makeup on your arms) every Friday, we can face fears and anxieties that have been holding us back. It will allow us to visibly see the weaknesses from our past and realize how far we have come since the days of struggle.

Prove to yourself how strong you can be: Free yourself on Fridays to free your anxieties and fears. Are your ready to take on the challenge?

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