The Butterfly Effect

The Butterfly Effect is to help people that have a problem with self-injury or for anyone else that knows someone that has this problem or just for support.

here are the rules:

1. When you feel like you want to cut, take a marker, pen, or sharpies and draw a butterfly on your arm or hand.

2. Name the butterfly after a loved one, or someone that really wants you to get better.

3. You must let the butterfly fade naturally. NO scrubbing it off.

4. If you cut before the butterfly is gone, you’ve killed it. If you dont cut, it lives.

5. If you have more than one butterfly, cutting kills all of them.

6. Another person may draw them on you. These butterflies are extra special. Take good care of them.

7. Even if you don’t cut, feel free to draw a butterfly anyways, to show your support. If you do this, name it after someone you know that cuts or is suffering right now, and tell them. It could help.


You don't have to no anyone who cuts to draw a butterfly someone who does just mite see it

I am glad it works for some people..... and I do not want to discourage anyone from trying it.... BUT - it is imaginary - it does nothing for me. the "butterfly" does not live ever cuz it is imaginary. and even if it did die - it is a bug....

sorry - maybe part of my BPD talking. or maybe I am just an *****

A butterfly may be an insect, but you aren't. I know your self esteem is low or you wouldn't be trapped where you are. SI promises relief, but in the end, all it gives is damage, pain and permanent scars.

Are you aware of specific incidents or situations that are triggers for you? If you know what they are, can you avoid them, or at least some of them? If not, can you speak your mind? For instance if a trigger is the way someone is treating you, standing up to them will be a longer lasting relief, it won't leave scars and your self esteem will be better. Sometimes we have more control over a situation than we think we do. Loss of control used to be a trigger for me, and it took a long time for me to realize it and then to push myself into taking back some of my control.

I know its easy to say stop and somewhat irritating when someone else tells you that, but I'm not just making things up. I was in that trap for forty years before I stopped. I still have some urges, but so far I'm two years clean. You can do it too. My guess is that you would never punish someone else by cutting them. If you don't think that its a fair punishment for anyone else, why do that to yourself? You are just as good as anyone else. You may not be punishing yourself, and have a different reason, but the comparrison is pretty much the same.

Sam2

I tried this and what became unfortunate was that my family and friends always knew when I was having an urge to cut and treated me differently, so I started hiding the butterflies, and then it became ironic.
The system did work for lighter urges, but when I really needed to cut, the butterflies just died.
-Sam

I really like this, and have heard good things about it. I also like it as an idea for a tattoo to show what you or those you know have been through.

Drew my butterfly in honor of the new year

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What happens after it fades? Do u make another? My butterfly went pretty fast.

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What happens after it fades? Do u make another? My butterfly went pretty fast.

I honestly have no idea
but you can try something else i saw on youtube
first write # where ever it is you self harm
add a letter every day you don't self harm
in a week it will say
#cutcake
after you get that reward yourself
you can do the full thing witch is
#CutCakeNotWrists