I Appreciate My Scars

In many ways, my scars help me feel seen.

Author’s Note: Because I am who I am (with the anxiety disorders I have), I feel the need to start with a disclaimer.

I wrote this about my personal experience and feelings towards my own scars. It is written with absolutely no negative judgment towards those whose scars cause body image issues and/or who feel the need or desire to hide their scars or minimize them through reconstructive surgery or other means. Same with my own feelings towards hair loss (specifically as a cancer patient).

Also, I wrote this specifically speaking about my medical scars and it is not referring to self-harm. If you experience self-harm urges, please be aware that this essay may be triggering for you, proceed with caution. If you have self-harm urges, you are not alone and it is possible to find relief. Please reach out to a mental health professional. If you are in crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800–273–8255 or dial 988.

This essay contains pictures of healing incisions and scars.

I have more than a few childhood scars — from falling off my bike, from being unable to resist scratching when I had Chickenpox, from learning to cook — typical stuff, like most.

I never really even thought about my scars, though, until I started acquiring a collection of scars from medical incisions.