Hi IrishSJ,

I know this is a hard thing to do, but do you have the courage to throw away your cutting implement? When I feel this way, I try to get rid of whatever thing I would use to hurt myself. It takes a lot of courage, but it can help a lot to remove the item of temptation. You said "now I have the blade" - if you get rid of it, that will make it harder for you to hurt yourself. You can throw it away in a dumpster somewhere, or in a garbage can at the grocery store or something - somewhere far away from you so you can't retrieve it. I've done this before to help keep myself safe.

Meanwhile, are there some nice things you can do for yourself to help distract yourself? Make yourself a cup of tea? Put on some music you enjoy? Go out for a scoop of ice cream? Do a puzzle? Call a friend? Do a craft project? Make cookies and bring them to somebody who could use some cheering up? I don't know....but sometimes distraction is one of the best tools I seem to have when things aren't going well.

Please take gentle care of yourself - I'm thinking of you.

Take care,
ErinBear