101 Coping Statements for Self-Injury and Self-Harming Behaviors

You may have lots of reasons to harm yourself. 

When you're ready to make a different decision (even if it's only for an hour or two) here are some positive coping statements that you can use to tell yourself to stay strong and stick to your goals.

1. I have others ways to cope with problems.
2. People get worried when I cut.
3. I don't want scars.
4. I can decide to treat myself with kindness.
5. I want to show respect for my body.
6. I can find ways to tolerate my emotional pain.
7. I can tolerate being upset without self-injury.
8. My emotions are always changing.
9. My urges are always changing.
10. My thoughts are always changing.
11. I can love myself until the urge passes.
12. I wouldn't want someone I love to hurt themselves.
13. Emotionally healthy people find ways to cope.
14. I may feel better an hour from now.
15. I feel ashamed after I burn myself.
16. I don't have to make a bad situation worse.
17. I like my skin.
18. I don't want to hide my body.
19. It's been X number of days since I last engaged in self-harm.
20. I choose life.
21. I don't need more trauma in my life.
22. People may think that I don't care about my recovery.
23. When I'm in Wise Mind, I know life will get better without cutting.
24. Burns are ugly.
25. I care about my future.
26. My body is sacred.
27. I can temporarily decide to be self-compassionate.
28. I can wait to see if I change my mind later.
29. I am worthy of recovery.
30. I don't want to delay my healing.
31. My family might think that I want to die.
32. People will judge me.
33. Life is already challenging and cutting makes my life harder.
34. I can self-validate my urges.
35. I can be a strong person.
36. Brave people don't harm themselves.
37. I am a not a victim.
38. I can use my DBT skills instead.
39. I believe in myself.
40. I can accept my urges but choose to do something else.
41. I want to inspire others.
42. Instead of cutting, I can listen to music.
43. I hate the guilt that comes from self-injury.
44. I can call my therapist or a warm line.
45. Holding ice until it melts helps me to feel pain without permanent injury.
46. I can choose to love myself.
47. There are too many cons and not enough pros.
48. Urge surfing can help.
49. I might need to go to the hospital if I really hurt myself.
50. Self-harm is embarrassing to talk about.
52. My boyfriend might think I can't handle life.
53. My girlfriend might get scared and break up with me.
54. Cutting and burning are messy.
55. I scar easily.
56. Cutting is gross.
57. My therapist will be disappointed.
58. Self-harm makes me hate myself.
59. I can handle the ups and downs in life.
60. I'll be proud of myself if I resist.
61. Self-injury is sad.
62. People will pity me.
63. I don't have band-aids. 
64. It will hurt tomorrow.
65. I have goals.
66. Self-love is an important value for me.
67. I'm working towards being a healthier person.
68. I am courageous and brave today.
69. I can reduce my suffering in other ways.
70. I don't want for others to think less of me.
71. My therapist might want to put me in the hospital.
72. I promised others I wouldn't cut.
73. I can take care of myself by letting others know I need help.
74. I hate being covered up while I wait for my body to heal.
75. I can accept my emotional pain.
76. I believe in my ability to overcome burning.
77. Long-sleeves are too hot.
78. Self-injury doesn't solve problems.
79. I'm not a slave to my emotions.
80. I don't deserve self-injury.
81. The smart, cool kids aren't cutting. 
82. I can image a life without self-harm.
83. I'm going to be okay.
84. My family might call 9-1-1.
85. I can journal instead of self-harming.
86. It's okay to find other ways to feel my emotions.
87. Things will get better when I get better.
88. I value happiness.
89. Cutting doesn't improve my relationships.
90. I'm smart enough to help myself in other ways.
91. Cats don't engage in self-harm.
92. Blood smells awful.
93. I am a strong and resourceful person.
94. I'll be proud of myself tomorrow.
95. Drawing or painting can help pass the time until my urges go down.
96. I want to be someone who doesn't cut.
97. I can soothe myself.
98. I can take myself to the movies instead.
99. Cutting isn't meaningful and meaning is important to me.
100. People might think I'm "crazy."
101. I take responsibility for my recovery.

Looking for a way out of your emotional pain? Dialectical behavior therapy may help. And check out these cute little self-harm prevention temporary tattoos.