Anyone else?

[texannurse]

Hi! I was just wondering if anyone else who is trying to quit SI feels scared or nervous about the prospect of "never again"? I get terrified when others tell me to never cut again. I seem to do better with a statement like "just today - don't cut today". Anyone else feel this way?

 

[saraharms1]

When I first stopped I was scared and had a few slip ups not because I was scared of never cutting agian but of never finding a way to solve all of my problems...

 

[berry2000]

Yes I feel that way. I mean with any addiction is the mantra one day at a time. To say never again is too overwhelming.

 

[rawkstar05]

Yeah over the years I've thought that I wasn't a cutter anymore and I that I'd never do it again, but more then once I feel into old habits.... Its good to try and make it though the day...I'm struggling with that right now...but the more days you make it through the easier never seems.....

I'm not sure if thats what you were looking for...

 

[Soulwings]

It's the same with me, Tn. I don't want to think about never "being able" to do it again. Maybe one day that won't be a scary thought, but right now, I try to either focus on getting through the day, or making it to my next set goal. But I think that if you took away the goal days and I forgot the number of days it's been, it would be a lot harder for me. I don't know why. But anyway, that's getting a little off-topic.

 

[Celtic Camel]

Dear TN,
This prospect did terrify me, but it was also the only way I had left. If I kept allowing myself the 'indulgence' I never would have stopped...not for one day. For me, I had to say "Enough, it is no longer an option!"
Of course, even now, I struggle... and nearly every day (some times many times a day) I have to repeat to myself that its not an option, and pray for the strength to overcome the urge.
And when/if I stuff up... I just start all over again, forgiving myself, taking note of what triggered it, and moving forward (at least that's the theory... it's not so simple in practice)...
Take courage, my friend... God will help you through this... ask your counsellor what you can do to take the edge off the urges, and never be afraid to ask for help whenever you need it.
Praying for you,

 

[mamalonglegs]

Hi! I was just wondering if anyone else who is trying to quit SI feels scared or nervous about the prospect of "never again"? I get terrified when others tell me to never cut again. I seem to do better with a statement like "just today - don't cut today". Anyone else feel this way?

Hey texannurse:

One day or moment at a time is the way it should be. No one can control their entire life all at once in any single category of it. Not in speech, thought, desires, motives, action, or anything else.

God did not say that, "His mercies are new every morning" for no reason. He knows that we have need of Start Over constantly because we live in a human fleshly body. We will fail. We will make mistakes. We cannot be perfect or complete until the day we meet Christ in heaven. Otherwise, Why did God give us
I John 1:9?

He knows we need cleansing and to be restored 100% and will perform that need as we come to Him.

mamalonglegs

 

[Finn88]

hey TN,
i read your post an was kinda encouraged in a weird sorta way...i know exactly what you mean! (it always feels better when you know your not the only one)
i've prob not been an SI'r for as long as many people but i've tried to quit many times allready, at first every time i said "never again" but then every time i slipped up after that i felt weaker and more helpless because i had said never again, but it still came back-u follow? so now i deffinately stick with one day at a time! hope that makes sense...Thank you for sharing!

 

[Everlasting33]

When I stopped cutting 4 years ago, I made the statement, "never again." I was scared because I wanted to keep the promise I made to God but I wasn't sure I had the power!
However, I never had a slip up since april 7, 2002 and I am glad I took the risk, "never again."

 

[mitiog]

While I've made a decision not to cut again I know that I may slip up. Especially when things are tough, I find it best to go day by day. Infact recently It's been 10 minutes by 10 minutes. At it's worst I've stared at a 3-minute egg timer and forced myself to praise the Lord while I watch the sand fall through. Then I flip the egg timer over and cry out to the Lord for help for another 3 minutes - or longer! Somehow reminding myself of the Lord's faithfulness first helps me to believe that when I'm crying out to him in the dark that he's really there and that he cares.

I think it's hard to say "never" and the word "never" can often make things more difficult. I gave up cutting and said "never again" but I didn't put into place better coping strategies so I ended up hurting myself in potentially more dangerous ways. For me, making an agreement that I will not self harm with someone I trust was really helpful. Then when I got tempted I could go back to that person and they would encourage me. Certainly in the darkest times I've found writing in my journal or telling another person that just for today I'm not going to cut to be extremely useful.

I think that God knows your heart and if "I will never cut again" is too bold a statement then it's much better to be honest with Him and say "okay Lord, in your strength I will not cut today. Please help me to cope by the power of your Spirit". We don't have the power or strength ourselves but with the Spirit's help we can overcome our struggles.

Be strong in the Lord and rest in his mighty power and awesome love.

mitiog