So it's shorts season here and it got pretty warm today (not that I'm complaining at all!) I have been recovering from 10 years of self harm (mostly cutting) and am proud to say that I have not cut in over a year. But something was very off putting about today. I am in college, today I took my finals and as I mentioned before I busted out the shorts. I'm sitting with 4 of my classmates outside having lunch in between finals and one of the girls leans over touches my thighs and causes a scene about my absurd number of scars asking how I got "scratched". I had no idea what to say, I didn't even say anything! My heart sank to my stomach and I was so embarrassed. Is it not obvious? I never know what to say. My scars have faded to white raised lines that dress my legs and forearms and at this point I have mostly come to terms that they are a part of my story. When I'm confronted about them is when I get extremely uncomfortable suddenly. How do you guys respond to scenarios such as this?
My scars from cutting I brushed off as a run in with some very nasty brambles (not that I imagine anyone believes it, but then no-one usually asks...) the burns on my arms, well I have a stove and I'm clumsy when drunk, the burns on my legs are from spilling a pan of hot oil... but I only get asked by kids, I think adults either don't care or guess what it's really from and don't mention it... if you don't want to talk about the real reason you have them come up with something vaguely plausible and people will probably leave it at that whether they believe it or not.