[Beanbag0]

I have thought long and hard about getting a tattoo and have decided that I really do want to get one. I want it to represent what ive been through in my life: depression, anorexia, anxiety and self injury. I want it on my wrist and not to be too big, maybe a word or short phrase... Any ideas for what I should get? Words or phrases I can use? Symbols etc?

[Ad Intra]

Do a semicolon. I've seen people talk about it on Pintrest and Tumblr. The idea that you use a semicolon when you want to continue on with a sentence. One could choose to end the sentence, but instead chooses to keep going. The semicolon severs a symbol saying you could have chosen to give up, but you didn't.

[Achy Turtle Armor]

I just got the words "Stay Mindful" on my wrist. I love it because it's a reminder. Something my T might say to me.

[Beanbag0]

I was thinking of maybe getting stay strong? I really feel good about getting that one... Thoughts nm

[Blue_Bird]

Originally Posted by Beanbag0

I was thinking of maybe getting stay strong? I really feel good about getting that one... Thoughts nm

Sounds good! Good luck with your first tattoo!

[gloamingone]

Oh, a first tattoo! So exciting! My latest one is a semicolon on the inside of my wrist. Your idea is great, though. Just be sure to research your artist carefully, and remember--you get what you pay for. Spend the money to get a good artist (letters can be tough, especially when they're small). Best of luck!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Beanbag0]

Was thinking of doing that as well!

[Patagonia]

I have "breathe" Inside my wrist in white ink. Really it's just for me...less questions.
I put it on my favorite arm to cut. Above all the scars...so I don't add anymore.
Good luck w/the first

[mimsies]

Not helpful, but maybe amusing?:

I have often considered getting a small raspberry on my right hand just below the thumb, and a lemon in the same place on my left- to help me with left and right (I have problems with that).

I recently upgraded to considering bigger tattoos on the backs of my hands with the formula for the Area of a sphere on my right and the Volume of a sphere on my left- because Area has "r" in it, and an A looks kinda like an R, and Volume has an "l" in it and a V looks kinda like an L.

I don't know why I have so much easier of a time recognizing the formulas for Area vs Volume of a sphere than I do left vs right...

[Beanbag0]

Mimsies, defs not helpful but it is funny!

[Wolf_Lady]

How about survivor?

[Achy Turtle Armor]

Originally Posted by mimsies

Not helpful, but maybe amusing?:

I have often considered getting a small raspberry on my right hand just below the thumb, and a lemon in the same place on my left- to help me with left and right (I have problems with that).

I recently upgraded to considering bigger tattoos on the backs of my hands with the formula for the Area of a sphere on my right and the Volume of a sphere on my left- because Area has "r" in it, and an A looks kinda like an R, and Volume has an "l" in it and a V looks kinda like an L.

I don't know why I have so much easier of a time recognizing the formulas for Area vs Volume of a sphere than I do left vs right...

I have to hold out my hands to see which index & thumb look like an "L"

[Beanbag0]

Originally Posted by Wolf_Lady

How about survivor?

I like that! Maybe with the eating disorder symbol as an S?

[holycowimbatman]

I got a koi climbing a waterfall on my forarm that eventually will end with a dragon above the elbow. There is a legend that the koi spends its whole life fighting against the current to climb the waterfall on the yellow river. If it reaches the top it becomes a beautiful dragon. So yea that's what I got...well half done lol

[Hellion]

Why is this in the self injury forum? not judging but I don't really think tattoos are self injury I view them as artwork...so I just am hoping you aren't like putting yourself down for wanting a tattoo as there is really nothing unhealthy or harmful about wanting to get one...especially if its something to represent your experiences and means something to you.

Also though, My brother has some tattoos and has gone to good tattoo artists, and from what he's learned its best to decide for yourself what would be the right thing to get. Though nothing wrong with looking for suggestions, just important to make sure its something you really want that represents you or something you care deeply about. That aside you could have a quote done in artistic lettering maybe even intertwined in an interesting design if I got words tattooed on me that is probably what I'd do. I also am considering getting a tattoo, perhaps something to do with my obsession of music...and actually it goes a little deeper than that if there wasn't music I do not think I'd still be alive but gives me one thing to be passionate about even if I suck at playing instruments and reading music...at least there is plenty to listen to.

[ScarletPimpernel]

Originally Posted by Hellion

Why is this in the self injury forum?

Because it's actually a great way to stop SI. It's a reminder of beauty, strength, and how far you have come. It's also a way to prevent future injury to that area.

I have 5 tattoos so far. My last one, #6 will be done in December/January. I have both my forearms, my left ankle, my right calf, and my right thigh tattooed. #6 will be on my left thigh.

My tattoos have a lot of meaning.

My latest one on my thigh is of a feather turning into blackbirds and says "take these broken wings and learn to fly".

#6 will be an orange ribbon that laces up my scars like a corset. The orange ribbon is for self-injury awareness. The bow at the end of the corset will be an infinity symbol with a semi-colon below it.

My left forearm has a butterfly (for freedom, metamorphosis, and the butterfly project), scarlet pimpernel (they only open up in sunlight, they look so delicate yet they are actually considered a weed), and ivy (for growth and life).

My right forearm is a butterfly, lotus flowers (the start off in swappy, muddy water but grow through it and turn out to be gorgeous), and water (for adaptability, peacefulness, ans strength).

[Beanbag0]

Whenever I think about cutting I know that the scar will ruin the tattoo and I don't cut. It works so well. ScarletPimpernel I love your tattoos!

[Amphiptere]

Indeed. I don't cut myself anymore because I want to heal up the canvas.

Last August I got my first tattoo and I am very happy with it. I intend to get more, and I am getting them all where I used to cut myself to shreds. When I feel the pull to cut again I just look down and my tattoo is looking back at me cheering me on to a better life.

[BeBrave483]

I find tattoos are a great way to kind of mark what you've been through and hopefully moved on from. It's like a nice reward for yourself and it will always be there to remind you and make you feel good. I have some lyrics which inspire me and I just got a butterfly for being 3 years self harm free. I know I can now look at that anytime I feel unsafe to remind me of how far I've come.

I think stay strong is a good one. Just as a reminder for when you need it. Good luck and let us know how it goes. My tattoos are more important to me than self harm ever will be. I have both wrists tattooed, which took a lot of courage, but now I can never do them any more harm even if I ever wanted to.

Ps. I have other tattoos as well, mostly music related.

[ThisWayOut]

I recently got "just breathe" on my left wrist as a reminder to do just that. I think that tats can be a great way to motivate not to si...

[gpaypay]

Originally Posted by Beanbag0

Mimsies, defs not helpful but it is funny!

Why not get "right" on the right wrist and "left" on the left wrist.

[vorticial]

A few years ago I got two swallow birds tattooed over old self harm scars because they can represent hope. The tattoo artist I had was not judgmental at all which was really nice because I had never shown anyone my scars and I was already nervous. I think tattoos are very helpful with this even if they don't have some super deep meaning behind them

[BeBrave483]

I got my Brave tattoo today, not sure if I shuld post it here, probably more on the tattoo thread.

The artist wasnt judgemental at all either about my scars, he didn't even mention them, I've never had an artist mention them when they are visible. I guess they are so used to seeing so much skin that it doesn't shock them, plus it might be unprofessional to mention them maybe? The first time I asked about getting tattooed over them they just said they would if they were at least 2 years old. They didn't ask what caused them or anything.

[madmare]

i like the semi colon idea

[BeBrave483]

Originally Posted by madmare

i like the semi colon idea

It seems very popular lately. I got stars before I knew they were popular, but I don't mind that, I like mine and that's the only thing that matters. If it means something to you then go for it!