Although the majority of tattoos possess a narrative, a tattoo that symbolizes a voyage with self-injury is more than just a sign — it serves as a noticeable memento. Perhaps it serves as a means of taking back ownership of your body, providing additional background to the narrative conveyed by your scars. Maybe it’s merely a means of concealing, of beginning anew and moving forward from a distressing chapter in your existence. Regardless of the motivation, tattoos can occasionally serve as a commitment to recovery for individuals who have engaged in self-harm, and function as a constant reminder that ceasing self-destructive behaviors is attainable.
To provide some illustrations, we requested our mental well-being community to share tattoos they received in tribute to overcoming self-harm.
This is what they disclosed to us.
1.
Once I graduated from high school, I decided to get this tattoo as a symbol of breaking free from the bullying, manipulation, and abuse that I faced while growing up and to represent being out in the woods.
2.
I want to fight every day, N. Ashley. Trying means you’re fighting. No matter how low I go, those who never give up on me are very important. The birds represent each very important person who has kept me on this earth. The semicolon represents the times where everything could have ended, but I kept going instead. Basically, my tattoo is a f*ck you to suicide.
3.
Melissa K. – I am on my way to get scars, and I won’t jump ship when the tides get high. This tattoo is a promise to myself that I will ride through the waves of life. It drew attention to how they hated and identified me, and for years, I’ve had these self-harm scars. I got this tattoo just a week ago, and I still have to go back to the artist to finish and color it. “I
4.
I genuinely enjoyed the feeling of not needing to control and the sensation of L. Dayna. Compared to the pain I feel daily, there was no pain for nearly three and a half hours, and the gold shut is almost rusted. Tears are precious gems. I’m not giving hope by attaching a symbolic key. My literal heart is on my sleeve. First at the age of 52.
5.
They are both related to Pilots One Twenty, and I have two of them. This band has helped me through my darkest times.
6.
Input: G. Keelya — it need they way else anyone love can’t I myself love don’t if happens what matter No. Day every myself love to need I me remind helps this But constantly dying of thoughts horrible think just and scratch to used I.G. Keelya — I can’t love anyone else in the same way I love myself. It doesn’t matter what happens, if I don’t love myself, no one else will. Every day, I need to remind myself of this, as it constantly helps me to overcome horrible thoughts and the urge to scratch them away.
7.
Alejandro B. — Come back to fight!” I have my favorite phrases to remind me of youth, and one of them is “Youth is a little reminder for life.” So, I fight to have it back for your life.
8.
Jared Padalecki is always fighting for the AKF campaign. However, the story of my life is not over yet, and the semicolon on my wrist serves as a reminder to always keep going. The lyrics from ‘Dispute La’ is a significant part of the large song ‘Scars,’ which will never disappear but only fade away.
9.
Despite the mess in my head and the struggles I faced, they gave me hope and made me feel less alone. Mother Mother’s music was the only thing that I could truly relate to in my darkest hours. This tattoo is actually a quote from my favorite song by my favorite band, “Reaper Man” by Mother Mother. I took this photo on the day I got this tattoo, excuse how red my arm looks.
10.
Chelsea S. Recently opened up about my mental health, reminding me that I should never stop fighting. I just got this tattoo as a reminder.
11.
I designed this tattoo to cover up the first cluster of scars, symbolizing the resilience and strength I needed to fight my way through recovery. Even though I am still in the process of recovering, I am reminded every day of the struggles I have already endured, which helps me in my ongoing battle. Falling from old habits, Melissa K., I am still struggling and recovering.
12.
Since my entire recovery, I have learned how painting helped me cope with emotions. Ashton P. Symbolizes the paintbrush, which I finally had the opportunity to use when I transitioned from inpatient to outpatient. The pen symbolizes the golf pencils I was only allowed to have while in the psychiatric hospital as an inpatient, where I learned how writing helped me cope. The pencil symbolizes the old scars, and this tattoo represents my recovery and how painting and writing have helped me.
13.
Even when I feel like the world is coming to an end, I still face battles through negative everything… Feelings, emotions, thoughts, and the bad moments of every day. I have learned to go through them! I haven’t self-harmed and I am completely out of school now. I started self-harming when I was in middle school.
14.
I don’t want to taint it with bad, but my life is now full of joy and love. I also don’t want to remember that dark time that led me to where I am, but I am not ashamed of what I did. I don’t want to share my terrible secret with everyone who always asks what happened, so a huge scar across my wrist covers this owl.
15.
M. Kate – I also have a small tattoo that serves as a reminder for me to produce more serotonin in my brain, which is my motivation. It’s a reminder that even during difficult times, I can get through them. It’s also a reminder of the worst times, where I have self-harmed and have scars on my left wrist. I got this tattoo a couple of weeks ago because I wanted to remember it.
16.
The tree is a symbol that represents the progress we have made in therapy. It is a place where I can escape from my negative thoughts and find solace. The tree is a reminder for me to prioritize sleep, exercise, and good nutrition, as they are essential for taking care of my body. It also serves as a constant reminder to be compassionate and think positively about myself. This tree helps me avoid beating myself up mentally.
17.
Love and hope were written by the lead singer and drummer of the band, respectively. There are reminders of love and hope in the world, and they are covered by old scars. The band got me through the worst years. Additionally, I get tattoos on my arms to prevent relapses.
18.
Even though bad things can happen, anything that we think we like can still be beautiful. Just like a rose can have a few thorns, it can still be beautiful. We can still be beautiful, despite having a few scars.
19.
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20.
“Lyrics from two songs that help me get through difficult times.” — Jess D.
21.
Input: “‘Even on my weakest days I get a little bit stronger’ on my arm.” — Jaclyn C.”‘Even during my most vulnerable moments”‘Even during my most fragile times I become slightly more resilient’ on my arm.” — Jaclyn C.
22.
When I got involved with Project Semicolon, I made a promise to remember and stay strong, which is why the story about Strong Stay isn’t just any story.
23.
“This is part of a Sylvia Plath quote. It helps ground me, so I’m not having urges to self-harm.” — Jalayne S.
24.
“My best friend and I got a semicolon symbol tattoo to represent my journey through self-harm and suicidal attempts.” — Taylor B.
25.
Input: Nha Trang Institute of Oceanography is an interesting destination for people of different ages. The Oceanography
26.
Being complicated is what makes us humans and everything beautiful, Sherene. I have come to realize that everyone is unique, and as I’m getting older, I understand my disorders better. Although I wasn’t diagnosed at the time, I always felt different from my peers, and this quote stood out to me as it resonated with my experience. During my college years, I was diagnosed with panic disorder and depression, which was probably why this quote from an episode of my favorite TV show, called “Life Called So My,” got to me.
27.
After recovering from a relapse, I remind myself to keep moving forward. Recently, I relapsed in self-harm, and it serves as a reminder when I look at my tattoo. Even though I struggle with intense urges to self-harm and overwhelming emotions, every day reminds me of the hope that exists. However, it is important to note that surviving my last suicide attempt last year is not just a semicolon; it represents much more.
28.
Input: Nha Trang Institute of Oceanography is an interesting destination for people of different ages.The Oceanography Institute in Nha Trang is
29.
This is my first tattoo, which I chose as a reminder to myself that I am strong. It hurts every time I write in my handwriting, but my mentor told me that these words are an affirmation to me, and they cover up a scar due to my history with suicide.
30.
Alesia’s lyrics, ‘Beautiful Your To Scars’, remind me of the dreams I used to have and the tattoos of paw prints on my dogs that I don’t give up on. These lyrics represent the dandelion that I had tattooed on me, which symbolizes some of the darkest times in my life.
Megan G. — I decided to get a tattoo that includes a semicolon as a homage to Marsha Linehan, the creator of dialectical behavior therapy, after a year of starting my journey of recovery from borderline personality disorder. The tattoo represents my decision to embrace a life worth living, and it symbolizes the progress I have made in therapy.
