[Parva]

I don't check in here very much, but I wanted to post about something that has been helping me. It may not be helpful for all or even many. My dissociation has gotten worse to the point where it's hard to function. I don't have traditional DID in that the amnesic part is not severe, and that's actually been helpful. I have found that accepting my parts and recognizing how important each is has helped me a great deal, even those parts that seem bad, e.g., inner critic, I have started to see as an inner protector. This may seem obvious to a lot, but getting to this point has taken me years.

I got my first tattoo to honor the whole of myself; a 'triskelion' (past, present, future) with a ";" in the middle. Next was a lotus flower with the words 'entre nous' ('between us' in french). The lotus flower is to honor my child, trying to grow into something beautiful out of **** and mud. My next will be 3 roman shields to honor those parts that have spent decades protecting my child. And then...we'll see.

This might not help anyone else, but I hope it does.

[seeker33]

This is very interesting, thank you for sharing! I really like the idea and the symbols you used.

[ACrystalGem]

Originally Posted by Parva

I don't check in here very much, but I wanted to post about something that has been helping me. It may not be helpful for all or even many. My dissociation has gotten worse to the point where it's hard to function. I don't have traditional DID in that the amnesic part is not severe, and that's actually been helpful. I have found that accepting my parts and recognizing how important each is has helped me a great deal, even those parts that seem bad, e.g., inner critic, I have started to see as an inner protector. This may seem obvious to a lot, but getting to this point has taken me years.

I got my first tattoo to honor the whole of myself; a 'triskelion' (past, present, future) with a ";" in the middle. Next was a lotus flower with the words 'entre nous' ('between us' in french). The lotus flower is to honor my child, trying to grow into something beautiful out of **** and mud. My next will be 3 roman shields to honor those parts that have spent decades protecting my child. And then...we'll see.

This might not help anyone else, but I hope it does.

I found just the act of getting a tattoo was healing. I had my first one in 2005, and I was happy that I had a positive and permanent mark on my body, after all the unwanted and negative scars and marks I've been subject to. I now have several, but I want another: the first line from the poem, 'Everyone Sang' by Siegfried Sassoon - "Suddenly everyone burst out singing, and I was filled with such delight..."
It feels like my alters coming to the fore over the last few years has formed a choir of sorts; a heaving swell of joy and recognition. I want to have that on my skin forever.

Originally Posted by Parva

I don't check in here very much, but I wanted to post about something that has been helping me. It may not be helpful for all or even many. My dissociation has gotten worse to the point where it's hard to function. I don't have traditional DID in that the amnesic part is not severe, and that's actually been helpful. I have found that accepting my parts and recognizing how important each is has helped me a great deal, even those parts that seem bad, e.g., inner critic, I have started to see as an inner protector. This may seem obvious to a lot, but getting to this point has taken me years.

I got my first tattoo to honor the whole of myself; a 'triskelion' (past, present, future) with a ";" in the middle. Next was a lotus flower with the words 'entre nous' ('between us' in french). The lotus flower is to honor my child, trying to grow into something beautiful out of **** and mud. My next will be 3 roman shields to honor those parts that have spent decades protecting my child. And then...we'll see.

This might not help anyone else, but I hope it does.

I really want to get a tattoo- a lot.

just scared of how much it will hurt me (very bad with pain and needles)

but I want a butterfly on my wrist

and the reason for wanting that is because the butterfly project was one of the first (and earliest things), I learned that really helped with SI

[Parva]

Originally Posted by ACrystalGem

I found just the act of getting a tattoo was healing. I had my first one in 2005, and I was happy that I had a positive and permanent mark on my body, after all the unwanted and negative scars and marks I've been subject to. I now have several, but I want another: the first line from the poem, 'Everyone Sang' by Siegfried Sassoon - "Suddenly everyone burst out singing, and I was filled with such delight..."
It feels like my alters coming to the fore over the last few years has formed a choir of sorts; a heaving swell of joy and recognition. I want to have that on my skin forever.

YES - THIS EXACTLY !!!!! I couldn't find the right words, but you did. Thanks!! This is exactly what I feel!! Wow. I'm floored by this. You just helped me a ton!

[Parva]

Originally Posted by raging vortex

I really want to get a tattoo- a lot.

just scared of how much it will hurt me (very bad with pain and needles)

but I want a butterfly on my wrist

and the reason for wanting that is because the butterfly project was one of the first (and earliest things), I learned that really helped with SI

I think the butterfly would be amazing. Delicate and yet so important.

I would like a DID across my knuckles..l. Not to original here...just factual and straight to the point.

[Amyjay]

Wow, I love what you have chosen to do for yourself and your system. That is very self-affirming. I think I should like to do something similar eventually.
One thing we have already decided to do for ourselves is to get the name legally changed. We associate the legal name with abuse, and the only one of us who ever associated herself with the legal name hasn't been around for years anyway. We are not that person and would like a name that reflects our identity.
We will have to wait for a while before we get it legally changed though because I think it should be a system wide agreement and we are not in contact with all of the system yet.

Originally Posted by Parva

I think the butterfly would be amazing. Delicate and yet so important.

and it reminds me so much of bethany

another reason for wanting it.

I will never ever forget her

I don’t want anybody marking my body....that would make me so mad. It’s bad enough that we have unsightly scars...but ink? It’ll be something stupid, too...I just know it.

[Parva]

Originally Posted by AlwaysChanging2

I don’t want anybody marking my body....that would make me so mad. It’s bad enough that we have unsightly scars...but ink? It’ll be something stupid, too...I just know it.

But that's the best part: In a life of having so much ripped from our control starting so long ago, you and only you get to make this choice! Choosing not to do something with your body is just as powerful as doing it. That seems like such a small thing, but I don't think it is. I think it's huge.

[koru_kiwi]

i haven't participated in this forum for a while either, but was glad to see this thread. i too got my very first tattoo about 4 months ago to commemorate the healing work i have completed (i ended therapy 18 months ago). my tattoo is actually inspired by a print that my daughter created a few years ago. it signifies aspects of my healing journey and the 'unification' of my insiders. the act of getting the tattoo was a healing experince for me and was a perfect way to permanently honor all my parts and the healing we have done over all the years.