coping mechanisms

[gloraelin]

I'm still sorting things out here, and for some really really strange reason, I now think it would be fun and a great way to deal to get a 2nd set of piercings and a tattoo. Haven't done it yet, but as the feeling is more than a couple days old and isn't leaving, I very well might

Comments

[flutterbychild]

I have a tattoo (since it is on my lower back, I can't take a photo of it) that, in retrospect, has quite a bit to do with my being victimized... It is the Sankofa and Gye Nyame symbols overlapped (Gye Nyame is outlined, and Sankofa is filled in with black). More info is in my profile...

[pookielocks]

i have a survivor friend who got a tatoo with the chinese or japanes symbol for survivor. i was thinking of getting that also.

[knitting_hobbit]

I seem to do this with clothes or costuming. Not the same thing, but perhaps similar? "the feeling of wanting to add something to yourself to make up for assaults/etc" - yeah, that's the feeling I get, though it may express itself in a different way.

Hmm, I did get my ears pierced on my 18th birthday, just because I didn't need permission anymore.Hmmm...

Anyway, to answer your question ("is this normal...") - I'm inclined to believe it is.

*safe hugs and support* for whatever you decide. :-)

[shivedheart]

I have eight tattoos, and each one takes back what was taken away from me. Each has significant meaning to me. I was terrified when I got my first one, but honestly? It didn't hurt. I have one on each shoulder, one on my back, one on the inside of each ankle, and one on the outside of each ankle. And I have one on my wrist. I plan on getting another on my wrist when my cast comes off, and I want one on my feet and then another on my back.

I found the action of getting each one very healing. I have one for my Grandma who died in 2002, and I plan on getting one for my Dad as soon as I can figure out the placement. Do they hurt? Sort of, not really. It's hard to explain. It's a good pain, if that makes sense.

[gloraelin]

It's a good pain, if that makes sense.

Yeah, that does make sense. Thanks.

[sistahraven]

Not weird at all! The tat in my icon is one I got actually in recognition of everything I'd survived. For me, every time I see it I can remember that despite the overwhelming odds, I made it through.

I also got piercings in honor of things, too. Every time I see them I remember "I stood up to my abuser and got those piercings when I wanted to" and get a feeling of pride. It's a great *always there* reminder of the things you've accomplished. :D