Hi Rapunzel,

Here are some reasons I work on keeping free from cutting -

1) I know if I cut myself now, I will feel bad about it later.
2) For myself, if I start cutting again, I will want to cut more. So if I keep refraining from it, hard as that is - it helps me keep doing better over the long run. If I start up again, even once, it's sort of like opening a flood gate. It's better not to even start.
3) There are other, healthier ways to deal with the feelings. The best way is to talk about the feelings with someone worthy of trust, like a friend, counselor, or loved one. But there are things like journaling, or going for a walk, or even posting here - to name a few other ideas. Or doing crafts...listening to music you enjoy...working in the garden....???
4) I tell myself that if I've successfully gone for awhile without cutting (and you've gone quite awhile now, and so have I) then I can keep doing it, even though it's hard at the moment. The point is just to figure out how to get past the hard moments, and we can do this. We can. Every time we get past a rough patch, I think we store up more and more strength for getting past another rough patch. And the longer we go without self-injuring, I think it gradually gets easier....sort of like a marathon runner training. We get stronger as we go along.

Thinking of you, lots.

Take care,
ErinBear