In my experience, yes, this is self injury. You said you were using this as a coping mechanism after a stressful day. Self injury is typically conflated with cutting. Which isn't always true. I was one to bruise myself when I first started hurting myself. And I refused to believe that it was self harm because it was bruising. Not cutting. Self harm comes in a variety of different shapes and forms. It is a spectrum. And it can be a complicated one.

Does the sight of blood bring you a rush of a calm? Does it make you feel more present? More alive?

- Grey