You may be able to guess from looking through my gallery or my favorites, but I suffer from self-injury. I say it like that, not because I have wounds on my body or anything current, but because I feel like it's something you fight. Something that doesn't ever really leave you completely.

I've talked to a few people who’ve quit smoking after years of doing it. They all say the same thing - if they smell it or really think about it, they still crave it. And I think the same goes for people who have self injured. If you're having a hard time and those situations that brought about self injury in the first place return. The cravings return as well.

So I'd like to do a contest.

WHO: This is a contest for people who currently self injure or have self injured in the past. Self injuring is any time you do something knowing it will deliberately cause you harm. This can be any number of things.

I want to trade you a mini piece of art (about the size of a playing card) for one month of you going self injury free.

As you can imagine this contest will run completely on the honor system. I'll have no way of knowing whether or not you've actually kept your word. But of course, I ask you to do so. This contest will be run again in October. So there will always be another chance for you to try again. It’s not a contest of who can go the longest, more of a contest against yourself.

PRIZE: A small 64 mm × 89 mm piece of art work. Something small enough to keep with you. In your pocket, or maybe where you keep your blades, or whatever it is you use, where ever it is you go, to self injure. Something that will remind you you're not alone. That you're loved. That you’re strong. And that you have other options. Each piece will be hand made and unique. Some may have similar looks or messages, but each one will be different.

DATES: The contest will start August 1st and will go until the 31st.
You have until the 1st of August to notify me in some way that you wish to participate. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this in a public way - feel free to note me. No one else will know. I want to know everyone that’s participating before the 1st, because the entire month of August I will be making the prizes.

If more people join than I think I can handle on my own, these lovely people have also volunteered to help me out with the prizes:



On the 31st, I’ll be sending out a note to see how everyone did.

Of course, to receive your "prize" you'd have to be comfortable with giving me your address so that I can send it through the mail.

If anyone would like to donate their time to help me make "inspirational" prizes. I'd more than welcome the help.

If you have any suggestions on how to improve this contest for the next time, feel free to share.

MY ALTERNATIVES TO SELF INJURY:

*Art - You’re on Deviant Art, so you must be a creator of some kind as well.
*Music - And you have to be honest with yourself here, you know the kind of music that triggers and the kind that helps.
*Exercise - Running, Walking, Yoga, Meditation.
*Talking to friends or family - This is the time. But don’t just tell them or show them that you self injure. Start with the feelings. Start by trying to explaining the real problem. (Makes it sound kind of easy.)

There are also lovely groups on this site that focus on helping people.
.

Also - I’m on DA a lot. If you need someone to talk to - note me and I’ll be more than happy to share my MSN or whichever one you happen to have.

Thank you in advance to anyone who takes on this task. I wish you the best of luck!

This is not a contest in which you submit art work. <3

(The news article can be found here [link] If you'd like to spread the word. It says the exact same thing.)