Purity culture and female genital cutting issues
Hello,
I wonder if anyone else here has struggled with societal pressures regarding bodily appearance, specifically around genitalia, or experienced a decrease in sensation as a result. I would appreciate hearing about how others have worked towards improving their body image and addressing the urge to self-harm.
I am in the process of recovering from self-harming behaviors. However, I thought it might be helpful to post here because my issues are linked to religious pressures that emphasize concealing one's external gnitalia through dangerous cutting practices.
My partner is very supportive, but I still encounter intrusive thoughts and feel pressured to alter my body further rather than embracing it fully. How can someone truly work on feeling whole and confident without resorting to more harmful modifications?
2 Replies
Hey there,
Thanks for being so open about something that's super tough and personal. I haven't been in exactly the same boat, but I totally get how pressure and shame can mess up your self-image big time.
I think the first step is slowly convincing yourself that your body doesn't need fixing to be worthy of love or safety. It takes a while to break those bad habits, especially if they're tied up with religion or fear. Just the act of seeking recovery and talking about it openly shows real strength. Be kind to yourself; healing isn't always quick.You're still whole even on days when your thoughts try to tell you otherwise
Thanks a lot!! You know, those tips are really helpful-especially that one about seeing yourself as whole already, i mean, it's pretty profound anyway.