How to stop cutting

[Kenny]

I used to not really care about the cutting, and for a while I let it heal over, but I've started it up again and I need to stop. This time it's not that I just want to stop, I literally need to stop because of where I work. I deliver pizzas and if my arm is scarred to shit eventually someone will get me sent to a psych ward to r something (idk maybe not but there are people that'd be concerned). I also can't exactly wear a sweater to cover it yet because it's hot af in the kitchen and I cook a bit as well.

I've thought about finding a different job because of it but I'm not entirely sure yet, I kind of like this job, and my boss might move me up to full time soon which would help me break some bad routines, but even still, I don't like working in the food industry. I often see myself staring at knives or cutting myself at work. It was the same way for the last job I worked, I wouldn't cut myself there though because it was always too busy for me to get a break or do my own things.

I find that I usually cut myself when I'm alone or feeling gloomy, which is probably typical for most people. I also noticed that I stopped cutting myself briefly when I started talking to a really nice girl, but she's ghosted me since early August so I'm falling back into my self destructive spirals. We ended on a good note though so I think she'll be back, but my mind is filling in the blanks with worst case scenarios because it's a long distance friendship :/

Anyway, to summarize I'm just trying to figure out a good option to fix the cutting. My motivation has fallen through the floor recently so I need help thinking up solutions :p

 

[FluffIsJustice]

Maybe it might work if you replace it with something else? Like everytime youd like to cut, you do that specific thing (Fill in whatever seems like a possibility) instead?

 

[Kenny]

Maybe it might work if you replace it with something else? Like everytime youd like to cut, you do that specific thing (Fill in whatever seems like a possibility) instead?

I've been thinking about that, I just don't know what'd be a good replacement. I've heard some people draw on their wrists instead of cutting, so I was thinking of trying that, but aside from that I'm not sure.

 

[FluffIsJustice]

I dont really know either, I just heard about people using carrots to stop smoking... (they are both addictions).

Tried googling it (because I really dont know either), AI recommended drawing (doesnt have to be on your skin) / writing / singing / exercise / breathing techniques / a rubber band around the wrist that can be snapped (hurts but no scars) / distractions (like reading / watching a movie) / drawing on the skin with red marker (because it looks like blood).
Maybe you could try if one works for you?

 

[Bombercrab]

holding ice works for me, but if ur on the go, then thats probs not gonna work.
i wanna say rubber bands but that hasn't worked for me.
is it shit advice for me to say cut ur stomach or upper thighs instead of ur arms

 

[Kenny]

I dont really know either, I just heard about people using carrots to stop smoking... (they are both addictions).

Tried googling it (because I really dont know either), AI recommended drawing (doesnt have to be on your skin) / writing / singing / exercise / breathing techniques / a rubber band around the wrist that can be snapped (hurts but no scars) / distractions (like reading / watching a movie) / drawing on the skin with red marker (because it looks like blood).
Maybe you could try if one works for you?

That does actually remind me, I used to eat straight carrots and lettuce when I was hungry or stressed, partially because we wouldn't have any meals other than week old rice mush soup. I felt like a rabbit because some days I'd eat all of our lettuce :/

I do have some hobbies as well that I should get back into, it just hits me when I feel like doing nothing.

holding ice works for me, but if ur on the go, then thats probs not gonna work.
i wanna say rubber bands but that hasn't worked for me.
is it shit advice for me to say cut ur stomach or upper thighs instead of ur arms

I also tried cutting in other places, it's just not really the same feeling though. It hurts a lot more anywhere else I cut. I guess my wrists just give me less immediate pain and give more ongoing pain, which is sort of what I want when I cut? It's kind of weird explaining it. I don't really cut deep anyway, at this point in time at least. Deepest I think I ever got was only enough to bleed a bit and probably warrant a band aid (unless you count the careless incident with a crowbar, whoopsie!). But regardless I do feel a bit better since then at this point, I just hate feeling like my mental health is declining back to what it was when I made my series of attempts :p

I'll try to use some of these next time I feel like cutting, I don't have a red pen, but I have a black pen that might work.