Positive Affirmations against Self Harm
G. Pacana
2/1/20243 min read
In her definitive BPD blog therapist and BPD advocate Amanda Smith offers 101 positive affirmations or coping statements for individuals considering self-injury or self-harm.
Here are Amanda Smith's 101 positive coping statements to help you "stay strong."
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.
From Hopeforbpd.com by Amanda Smith
Copyright 2025 Psycnet, All Rights Reserved