Struggling: TW suicide

That sounds super hard @creative_writer and I'm sorry to hear of what you're experiencing. It makes complete sense to have that worry and anxiety around potential reactions or responses to self harm scars and wounds. I totally understand feeling like you 'should' have it all together. Something else I know about this field is that we are humans- that means we bring our selves to our work with us. Sometimes, it can even help those we serve to see that the 'professionals' struggle too, just like them 😊

Sorry that you feel that way @creative_writer .

I know long sleeve’s can ride up but someone has to be looking at that exact time. I understand the stress of keeping it hidden as you don’t need to answer the difficult questions. You are already going through enough. But I think if you keep pulling at your sleeve it may draw attention. Good luck

That's ok @creative_writer. Sometimes, we need to help ourselves first in order to be able to help others.It is a strength to be able to identify and name that. It sounds like you might be in need of some of that care you no doubt show to others, for yourself. Self care is also especially important for those of us caring for others because of the pain that you can witness, and at times, come to carry, in the course of that caring.

Shame and guilt are such difficult beasts to grapple with. Impulsivity can be too, though I feel like it can be a teacher. I like to think impulses can be kind of like instincts- what your naturally inclined to do, perhaps based on something like a sense of justice for example. Anger, similarly, I've learnt, can be the mark of a justice mindset. For me, I know I can get angry when it feels like there's something unjust or unfair happening. Channelled well, anger can act as something of a fuel for the action we might take.

I hear you @creative_writer . Shame is horrible and can be super hard to talk about. But, if you can figure out how to talk about shame- even just naming it as you have done tonight, it can lessen it. Shames thrives with silence. Something I find helpful thinking about shame is a distinction made by Brene Brown between guilt and shame. Guilt is I did something bad whereas shame is I am bad. Given that, what you're saying about what triggered or drove the self harm makes sense. Wars between head and heart can be so tricky! I want to wish you all the very best with it. Please take good care of yourself ❤️

How are you today @creative_writer ?

In the past, if/when anyone asked about my scars, I would tell them they are battle wounds. Then I leave it at that 🙂

These are your battle wounds. They show what you have faced and reveal the strength you have in pressing through,

We are here to see you through your journey 🙂

Awww @creative_writer .

The main thing is to look after yourself. Sometimes, uni will just have to wait. So you have a reasonable adjustment plan in place with the uni? Remember that your uni fees pay for all those extra supports. You are entitled to access them.