usually I'll cut, but due to a fear of being caught I typically stay just under the epidermis, never going too deep so as to see styro or draw blood (I'm not afraid of blood, just haven't gotten that deep yet) until it stings and inflames. Recently I've gotten into bruising my ribs, that's pretty fun. But I do have a few things on hand just in case it gets too rough.
It's cathartic in a way. My brain screams "stop" but it's one of those things where, once I start, I don't really see myself stopping. I'm no longer afraid of anyone actually seeing my cuts, either. I don't want the attention, but I'm secure enough in my mind that I'm willing to either craft an elaborate lie or just be up front. Nobody I know has any real power anyway, nobody would believe them.
Is it too shallow of me to consider this self-harm? considering how I never actually injure myself, just give myself some nice cuts that heal in a few days? I used to think it was scarification but there's no real scars. I want real ones, but I fear both the pain and unchecked bleeding