Things I’ve learned about myself, part 2

• I am capable of controlling my emotions.
• I am a good listener and a good friend.
• I spend a lot of time thinking.
• I over-apologize, and it is very hard for me to resist the urge to apologize. Apologizing reinforces my guilt and the feeling that I have done something wrong. If I haven’t done something wrong, I don’t need to apologize!
• I am very uncomfortable with most physical contact.
• I like to be prepared for anything at all times.
• Being sick is triggering for me.
• My self harm serves multiple functions in different situations. It grounds me when I’m dissociating, it satisfies my anger at myself and guilt and shame, and it sometimes helps me dissociate.
• Everyone doesn’t hate me.
• Learning new skills and healing both take lots of time, and I need to radically accept that I won’t be better in an instant, or by the end of the summer.
• My body posture is often closed off and protective. I am working on being more aware of my posture and lowering my shoulders, uncrossing my arms, and opening my hands up when there is no threat. This teaches my body that I am safe.
• Sometimes my emotions are justified, and I need to deal with them and not push them away.
• There might be a part 3 at some point. 🙂 (here is part 1)