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The Cool Calm

The Cool Calm is the Crisis Text Line blog. Insights, data, stories, and other looks at our work in crisis intervention and technology.

17 Quotes You Need if You're Struggling with Self Harm

 

According to Mental Health America, 17-35% of college students engage in self-harm. Part of the reason we don’t know the exact numbers for sure is because of the intense stigma around the topic. Many people interpret self-harm as an way of “acting out” or “looking for attention." However, it’s important that we don’t stereotype-- pain does not discriminate and people of all ages and backgrounds can be at risk for self-harm.

We’ve compiled a list of quotes that we hope will help you overcome pain and learn to love yourself. If you’re struggling with self-harm, text HOME to 741741 to talk with a trained Crisis Counselor.

On Overcoming Pain

  • "A gem cannot be polished without friction, nor a man perfected without trials." Chinese proverb

  • "It's not whether you get knocked down. It's whether you get up again." Vince Lombardi

  • "The only person who can pull me down is myself, and I'm not going to let myself pull me down anymore." C. JoyBell C.

  • “Anyone can give up, it’s the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that’s true strength.” Unknown

  • “You are not your past. You are the warrior that rose above it to become the example of someone who didn't just survive, but thrived in creating the most beautiful last chapter of their life.” Shannon L. Alder

  • "Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength." Arnold Schwarzenegger

On Forgiving Yourself

  • “Stop beating yourself up. You are a work in progress, which means you get there a little at a time, not all at once.” Unknown

  • “You have been criticizing yourself for years, and it hasn’t worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens.” Louise L. Hay

  • "Embrace and love all of yourself - past, present, and future. Forgive yourself quickly and as often as necessary. Encourage yourself. Tell yourself good things about yourself." Melody Beattie

  • "Forgive yourself for your faults and your mistakes and move on." Les Brown

  • "The real difficulty is to overcome how you think about yourself." Maya Angelou

On Loving Yourself

  • “You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.” Unknown
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  • “Love yourself—accept yourself—forgive yourself—and be good to yourself, because without you the rest of us are without a source of many wonderful things.” Leo F. Buscaglia

  • "To accept ourselves as we are means to value our imperfections as much as our perfections." Sandra Bierig

  • “If only you could sense how important you are to the lives of those you meet; how important you can be to people you may never even dream of. There is something of yourself that you leave at every meeting with another person.” Fred Rogers

  • “You’re always with yourself, so you might as well enjoy the company.” Diane Von Furstenberg

  • “Loving yourself…does not mean being self-absorbed or narcissistic, or disregarding others. Rather it means welcoming yourself as the most honored guest in your own heart, a guest worthy of respect, a lovable companion.” Margo Anand





 

 
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