3 Ways Writing for HealthyPlace Helps Me Stop Self-Harm

Today is my birthday. I usually travel somewhere and pretend the day doesn't exist. However, this year I'm in lockdown, so I have to face the fact that I got a year older. I decided to practice gratitude and celebrate all the little achievements that made me who I am today. For instance, I feel grateful that I can write for HealthyPlace as it helps me (and, hopefully, my readers) stop self-harm. 

How Writing Can Help You Stop Self-Harm

In one of my previous posts, I wrote about the therapeutic effects of journaling and how you can use it to become self-harm-free. Indeed, writing can help you put all the negative emotions on paper and work through them rather than engage in harmful behaviors. 

In one large study, researchers found that writing has significant benefits on one's mental health.¹ For instance, they discovered that trauma survivors who wrote expressly about stressful events eventually showed psychological and even physical improvement. Therefore, there is no doubt writing can be a wonderful healing activity, whether you decide to keep a private journal or blog about it on a public forum.

3 Ways Blogging About My Experiences Helps Me Stop Self-Harm

At first, the thought of writing about self-harm was terrifying. Like most self-harmers, I went to great lengths to cover up my scars, and I didn't tell a living soul about my childhood trauma. And there I was, writing about it publically. Here's what I've learned since:

1. I embraced my vulnerabilities. When you carry a secret for so long, eventually, it destroys you from the inside. That's how I felt, trying to cover up a vulnerability that I thought made me weak. Now that I've learned to write about it and embrace it as part of who I am, I see it as a strength rather than a weakness. Anyone battling their minds and still going through life is a superhero if you ask me.
2. I wrote it down; therefore, I'm accountable. When I write about tips to avoid self-harm, I feel like I should take my own advice and walk the talk. That's why I admitted that I had a relapse a few months ago. It would feel dishonest if I pretended self-harm recovery was easy. It is not, but this time I have another reason not to self-harm: because I told my readers that I wouldn't.
3. Being a mental health blogger is super empowering. Finally, blogging about self-harm gives me an important mission: to guide others towards the recovery path. It's empowering to know that my opening up might make someone else's pain a little more bearable. Carrying this torch inspires me to get better and show you that, yes, a self-harm-free life is possible. 

I want to thank everyone for being a part of my journey and helping me get there, one word at a time.

Does writing help you stop self-harm? Do you like blogging about your experiences, or do you prefer journaling instead? Let me know in the comments.

Sources

1. Baikie, K., "Emotional and Physical Health Benefits of Expressive Writing." Cambridge University Press, January 2018.