Self-harm (or self-injury) is the deliberate harming of one’s body without intent to commit suicide. The most popular types of self-harm, cutting and burning, are coping mechanisms for dealing with pain, anger, grief, stress, and emotional distress rather than suicide attempts.
The initial peace that self-harmers experience may not last long and does little to stop the recurrence of emotional distress. Self-harming can also result in emotions of guilt or shame for the behavior, which may lead you to look for justifications for your conduct, such as cutting oneself.
Self-harm is a symptom of a bigger issue, such as anxiety disorders, sadness, grief or loss, unresolved trauma, eating disorders, low self-esteem, and impulsive behavior problems.
Self-harm frequently leaves behind visible physical evidence, such as wounds, burns, and cuts that cannot be adequately explained. More than 80% of those who self-harm eventually cut themselves. Wearing long clothing all year round is another option for those who self-harm in an effort to avoid having to rationalize their actions.
Cutting is one form of self-injury that frequently affects the wrists, forearms, and ankles, but it’s also common in less obvious places including the waistline, the backs of legs, the thighs, and the upper arms.
In addition to posing health risks by increasing the possibility of infection, self-inflicted scars can also make social interactions with others difficult. If someone asks you how you obtained the scars, you’ll want to be prepared with some explanations for cutting, unless you’re willing to share your troubles with everyone.
Excuses For Cutting To Deflect Attention
Blaming the environment or a distressing encounter with some plant life is one of the first go-to categories for justifications for cutting scars. Because many thorny plants can genuinely produce signs that resemble cutting scars, they serve as a convenient justification for self-harm. These justifications for trimming may be just what you need if you enjoy gardening or even just taking walks outside.
1. YOU WERE TRIMMING BACK A THORNY BUSH
This could be any kind of thorny plant, including brambles, rosebushes, raspberry or blackberry bushes, or other types of bushes.
Those scars on your arms may have resulted from not wearing long-sleeved gloves or from having to dig down to the plant’s roots.
2. YOU WERE REPOTTING YOUR CACTUS
Particularly when you try to repot them by yourself, cacti are infamous for clawing and tearing up your arms. You’ll probably end up with some needle-like scratch marks all over your forearms by the time you’re done because you’re holding the plant with one hand while you fill the earth and juggle the pot with the other
3. YOU GOT SCRAPED UP ROCK CLIMBING
It doesn’t matter if you’re a seasoned rock climber or if you’ve never done it before. It is undeniable that doing sports can damage your limbs and body. One slip and you’re sliding and scraping down a jagged, abrasive rock face, picking up cut marks all over your body in the process.
A rock-climbing event can be a valid justification for cutting yourself, depending on the appearance of your cutting scars. Rock climbing is a good reason to have a black eye in this situation as well, in addition to many others.
4. YOU HAD AN ALLERGIC REACTION AND WERE ITCHING TOO VIGOROUSLY
You went hiking, and occasionally the trail became a little overgrown. On your way, you had to struggle over a couple thickets and push aside a lot of vegetation. You discovered that you were experiencing an allergic response to a plant when you arrived home.
It’s strange how the itchiness resembles scarring or cut marks so much. This defense can be used to explain cuts on your arms, legs, ankles, or any other portion of your body.
Animals make great excuses for cutting yourself
If you’re not careful, a hyper dog or an angry cat might definitely leave some bruises on your body. You might end up with some cuts and scrapes even if you were only playing (with your dog or cat), especially on your arms.
Do you have a pet? Perfect! You’ll be able to use your custom-made self-harm justification on just about anyone.
5. YOUR CAT SCRATCHED YOU
We all adore cats, but we also acknowledge that they can be naughty little rascals when they play or if you annoy them by doing things like trying to cut their nails or give them a bath.
With their razor-sharp claws and propensity to use them, cats make perfect excuses for cutting scratches, especially on your arms. Cat scratch marks are extremely convincing.
6. YOU HAD TO FIGHT OFF A CRAZY RACCOON
Anywhere in North America at night, you might feel as though you’re in a bad Planet of the Apes spinoff. Get it? Race of the Racoons Planet No? Okay, I’ll come out now.
The point is that while raccoons are vicious when cornered and have sharp claws, it’s possible to get scratched by one.
7. YOU HAD TO INTERVENE IN A DOG FIGHT
Your dog got into a fight with another dog at the dog park where you took them. As a result of your attempt to divide the vicious animals, you were bit in the arm, ankle, or leg.
This is a useful justification for self-harm that you might make use of if necessary. Dog bites or claw scratches can mimic cutting marks.
Kitchen-related incidents make for good excuses for self-harm marks
Using hot objects like stove burners or the oven when cooking requires the use of sharp knives. If you’ve ever observed a chef, you may have noticed that their arms are covered in a variety of scars caused by stray knives, searing oils, or the hot oven door edges. If you work in the kitchen frequently, scars on your arms are common, thus cooking is a convincing reason for them.
8. YOU BURNED YOURSELF REACHING INTO THE OVEN
It takes tremendous ability to time your cooking so that everything is ready at the same time because kitchens are busy places.
Additionally, it means that chefs are frequently rushing around in the kitchen, which contributes to incidents of unintentional burns like reaching carelessly into a hot oven. One of the best justifications for burn marks that comes to mind is kitchen accidents.
9. YOU’RE A REALLY BAD COOK
It’s not so much that your food doesn’t taste well; rather, you just make a lot of dishes and have a lot of mishaps when cooking. You wounded your finger on a mandolin last week, and today, while peeling a potato, you cut your wrist.
Accidents with a sharp knife or other object can be a fantastic way to explain away cuts on your wrists because these things really occur.
10. YOU GOT SCALDED BY BOILING WATER
It’s not so much that your food doesn’t taste well; rather, you just make a lot of dishes and have a lot of mishaps when cooking. You wounded your finger on a mandolin last week, and today, while peeling a potato, you cut your wrist.
Accidents with a sharp knife or other object can be a fantastic way to explain away cuts on your wrists because these things really occur.
11. SOME HOT OIL SPLASHED ONTO YOUR ARM
Hot oil or grease is as ubiquitous in the kitchen as boiling water. The likelihood of splashing and sizzling increases the risk, especially if water accidentally enters the mixture.
Since spilling oil causes the majority of burn scars on a chef’s arms, why not use that as one of your justifications for getting burned?
12. YOU WERE PUTTING UP SOME BARBED WIRE FENCING
You don’t need to work (or reside at) at a prison to come into contact with barbed wire. That stuff gets used all over the place on farms, ranches or construction sites, and it’s crazy sharp.
Even just a light touch is enough to leave cuts and scrapes on your skin, which is why barbed wire could be a believable excuse for scars.
13. YOU GOT PAPERCUTS DURING TAX SEASON
Paper cuts could be expected if you’re an accountant or just an untidy learner. We all know how bothersome and painful those things are, but did you realize that they can also be a valid justification for shaving your arm scars?
14. YOU WERE CARRYING CHOPPED WOOD IN YOUR ARMS
Perhaps you use a wood burner to heat your home, or perhaps you enjoy saunas and campfires. You spent the day cutting firewood, carrying it to be stacked elsewhere, and whatever the cause. The rough wood must have badly cut up your forearms at some point throughout the procedure.
15. YOU WERE DOING SOME RENOVATIONS AND GOT INTO SOME SPLINTERED PLYWOOD
Moving large sheets of plywood or long 2x4s can be quite difficult. Additionally, they are frequently not finished very well, which can result in scratches, scrapes, and splinters if you are not using gloves or the appropriate gear.
There are many items that might cause cuts and scrapes on your flesh while doing house renovations; it doesn’t even have to be a piece of wood.
16. YOU WORK IN CONSTRUCTION AND GOT SLICED ON A NAIL THAT WAS STICKING OUT
Exposed nails are one risk at the job site. Work boots are a need and long, durable clothing is advised because of this.
If you work in construction or spend any time near a building site, getting cut by an exposed nail is a valid justification for self-inflicted scars that you can use to divert attention from the real problem.]
17. YOU GOT INTO IT WITH YOUR WEED WHACKER
Yard work may be a big hassle, especially if your weed whacker keeps jamming and becoming tangled. The first few times you shut the darn thing off, but after that you became lazy and just reached inside to untangle the line as it was running.
Fortunately, you only sustained a few cuts to your arms, which you may now use to justify cutting to your friends or family.
Excuses for cutting to give your parents
Want to make your justifications unique and novel (mainly for yourself)? The next time someone asks you what’s wrong with your skin, try using one of these illogical explanations for self-injury markings. Even if they don’t work, at least you won’t be robotically repeating the same things.
18. I WAS PRACTICING WITH MY BUTTERFLY KNIFE
Butterfly knives are quite cool and magnificent (much like num-chucks) if you know how to use them. Of course, practice makes perfect, so you’ll definitely get cut a few times before you get the hang of the blade.
Butterfly knife accidents make excellent excuses for cutting if you enjoy using knives and other cutting equipment.
19. YOUR S/O SCRATCHED YOU WHILE YOU WERE HAVING SEX
Sex is a passionate activity, and sometimes the fervor might overcome you or your partner. In the heat of the moment, which can be extremely intense and enticing, passionate scratches are easy to happen. It’s advantageous because you might use it as your subsequent defense for having cut marks on your body.
20. YOU WORE METAL JEWELRY IN THE SAUNA
Candles and hot wax are probably to blame for any power outage, satanic ritual, or BDSM foreplay with your spouse. You spilt hot wax on yourself, either accidentally or on purpose, and the result was a burn mark on your flesh.
21. YOU GOT IN A FIGHT WITH SOMEONE WITH LONG NAILS
These days, long nails are increasingly popular, and while they may appear nice, they should be treated as weapons in a fight. During a physical conflict, getting scratched hurts, but it can also serve as a valid justification for cutting.
22. YOU WERE DRUNK AND DON’T REMEMBER
You were hitting the bottle last night and the tequila got to you. You were a drunken mess and must have blacked out, cause when you woke up the next day, you had cuts, scrapes and bruises all over your body. Any idea what happened?
23. YOU SHOULD SEE THE OTHER GUY
You got into a battle, kicked some ass, but still took your fair share of punishment. For instance, the cuts on your wrists were not caused by you, but rather during a knife fight, and you should see the other guy.
24. YOUR SCARS ARE ACTUALLY TATTOOS
Scar tattoos are another type of tattoo that can be applied without the use of ink. In this case, your skin’s healing process leaves the imprint rather than ink forming a design. You can utilize scar tattoos as good justifications for cutting in front of family, friends, and total strangers.
Fictitious and funny excuses for cutting-related self-harm
Tired of defending your scars from inquiries or remarks about them? Here are some outrageous and humorous reasons to cut someone off that you may use the next time you simply want them to get the clue and f@#$ off. We don’t blame you; it gets old fast.
25. YOU’RE A MEMBER OF A SATANIC CULT
Will people believe you? Maybe. Will people consider you odd? Probably. Is having that kind of a reputation worse than having folks aware that you’re struggling to cope? Your choice.
You will probably terminate the conversation rather soon after stating this justification for cutting or self-injury, whether you are believed or not.
26. THESE SCARS ARE A BARCODE
You might as well act the role if society is going to treat you like a number. You have been gradually compiling an ironic barcode of scars on your wrist (or elsewhere) out of spite, which is why the marks on your skin aren’t the result of a self-harm episode.
27. YOU WORK IN QUALITY CONTROL FOR GILLETTE
This obviously fictitious and ludicrous justification for cutting will work like a charm if you want someone to mind their own business and leave you alone.
Excuses for cutting to tell your friends
Some people you don’t need to lie to, don’t want to lie to, or won’t believe whatever justification you give them. Cutting is a rather widespread activity as well, so there’s a good risk that your scars and marks will be recognized for what they are, in which case your reasons will appear weak or insincere.
The following sincere justifications for self-harming can assist you in addressing the issue without engaging in a lengthy discussion, assuming you’re mentally prepared for that.
28. YOU WERE AN ANGST-FILLED TEENAGER
You had a difficult childhood, like many teenagers these days, and self-harm was how you handled your emotional problems. There is no shame involved, and most people will either respond favorably or with concern. The first step to recovery is also being upfront and honest about a significant situation.
29. THEY ARE A COPING MECHANISM
You’re struggling in life, or at least you were. Although self-harm may not have been the greatest course of action, it was your go-to coping strategy for a while. Being open about it is a good thing because it isn’t something to be ashamed of. There is no justification for chopping or burning.
30. THEY’RE EXACTLY WHAT YOU THINK THEY ARE
When people inquire about the scars on your wrist, they frequently already have an idea of where you are from. Because of this, rationalizing scars can be stupid, and the best course of action may be to simply be honest about your self-harm scars.
31. YOU HAD A SKIN GRAFT AFTER A BAD BURN INJURY
This might very simply be true, which makes it a fantastic justification for self-harm marks. Saying your cut marks are scars from a past injury is a terrific technique to hide things, yet it won’t fool your family or long-time friends because they’ll know the reality.
32. I’D RATHER NOT TALK ABOUT IT
Particularly when such a private thing is the subject, people need to respect your privacy and refrain from prying. Saying you don’t want to talk about it is all you need to do to be left alone, at least for a little while, even if it won’t make the problem go away and others who care about you will still worry.
How to hide self-harm marks and scars so you can avoid needing to make excuses for cutting in the first place
Avoiding the impulse to make excuses all at once is a really smart idea because they tend to become repetitive and tiring quickly. Of course, it’s not complicated, but by covering your scars, you can avoid having to defend yourself if you don’t want to.
1. WEAR LONG SLEEVES
Simply putting on long sleeves will do the trick if you have scars on your wrists and arms. There are several garments available that are created from incredibly light materials, so the summertime heat won’t be an issue either. Furthermore, it’s a good idea to shield yourself from the sun in any case.
3. DON’T CUT VISIBLE AREAS
Cutting or burning less noticeable regions is your best option if you don’t want your scars to be readily evident to the public. Although self-harm is never a good idea, being able to cover the scars can help you keep things private.
4. COVER UP WITH TATTOOS
The best way to conceal scars and self-injury marks from others is to cover them with tattoos. Once you cease self-harming, tattoos are effective, but they won’t help much with newly opened wounds.
Although you shouldn’t be ashamed of your past deeds, a tattoo can be a terrific method to cover them up if you’d prefer not to have a permanent reminder.
Get help and stop making excuses for cutting
It’s critical that you tell someone you can trust if you’re having trouble. Since facing challenges alone is nearly impossible, having a teammate who is concerned about your welfare can help you get through them.
To help you up, your family, friends, or a medical expert must be informed of your situation. Making justifications for self-harm is considerably more severe than justifications for unintentionally enjoying a photo, and it should be handled as such.
Resources Consulted For Research On This Article
- What is the psychology behind cutting yourself for attention? – Quora
- MASTER LIST – scar excuses – Reddit
- Text CONNECT to 741741 for free, 24/7 help for self-harm – crisistextline.org
Yusuf is interested in exploring the world around him and making meaningful connections with it. He then express these ideas with words for the world to enjoy. In his free time, Yusuf loves to spend time with books, nature & his family.