We all have scars – some of our scars are emotional and some are physical. The physical ones, the scars that leave a permanent mark on our skin, change our physical appearance. The events surrounding your scars and the appearance of your scars also greatly impact your psychological state.
You might have a small scar from falling off a bike when you were a child. Or maybe you have a large scar from when you accidentally spilt boiling water while cooking. Or your scar has a terrifying story behind it.
The fact that something bad happened to you leaves permanent consequences for your health & wellbeing. But to also have to deal with a visual reminder of that event, is really hard.
The Story of My Scars
Long after the event that caused my extensive scarring, I still struggled with PTSD. Often waking up in the middle of the night after dreaming about it. I was reliving the event over and over again during the day. There were days when I felt immense regret. Where I would give anything to go back in time and do things differently.
I would dream that during the most difficult period in my life, I would have just packed up my bags and left. Travelling somewhere and away from the people who were bad for me.
The reality is that we can never go back, what is done is done, and we have to move forward. This was easier said than done.
Then there were days when I would feel overwhelming grief. It was grieving the life I had before my scars and the person I was before my scars. But most of all, my freedom. Freedom that I didn’t know I had before I suffered the scars. That freedom looked so tempting now, looking back. It felt devastating that I could never truly feel the same way again. Visiting places that have hot weather and being carefree. Not thinking about what others will think of me and my scars, their judgemental and curious looks. I was often mulling over all the activities that I would miss out on. This was all a source of my grief.
Scars Make You Uncomfortable and Worried About Your Future
My scars also made me feel uncomfortable around doctors, who have previously let me down during that very vulnerable period. There are plenty of doctors who are very judgemental but I guess it’s normal as they are just as human as the rest of us.
I also worried about my future. My career and my relationships – how will I ever live a normal life?
Will I be able to have a job? Will I have to come up with excuses not to join that team building in a sports center? Or go out for a drink on a hot summer day?
Will my partner accept me with all my scars and stories that still haunt me? Memories that don’t seem to fade, no matter how much I meditate and practice acceptance.
All of these things constantly occupied my mind, I was worried about my present and my future.
Surgery to Improve the Look of my Scars
Thinking of the years that followed, it was tough and still is. Even though I underwent reconstructive surgery that helped improve the look of my scars and lifted a heavy burden I was carrying around, I still battle this every day. It is so hard to accept that you will never be the same again.
But it’s also an opportunity to be grateful. Without this experience, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. I would not have the power, resilience, determination, resourcefulness, and courage. There is a big part of me that accepts and appreciates what I have now. The life I live – I cherish it. I am grateful every day. I am also much more open-minded and understand that everyone has their story.
My growth might not have been as steep as it was due to what happened to me. My scars are reminders of a battle that I won. And I need to be proud of them and accept them as a big and important part of who I am. They didn’t break me, they made me.
I am a warrior and I will overcome my limitations. I hope others can find some inspiration from my words, and together with me, find meaning and purpose.
You can read my personal story of dealing with scars in my book Living With Scars.
You can read more about scars in these posts:
- How Scars Affect My Daily Life
- Women’s Swimsuits to Cover Up Scars
- Types of Scars
- 5 Best Treatments for your Acne Scars
- Scars Can Change Your Life
- Best Treatment for Self-Harm Scars
- Hypertrophic and Keloid scars – How to improve them
- How to Get Rid of Scars and Improve Your Skin
- Best Scar Removal Treatments
- Burn Survivor Shares Her Story – Burn Scars from Childhood
Thank you so much for this inspiring messages. All the thing you said is true it really hard to deal with scar especially you are in a stage of Maturity like me .. When i was a child I don’t have any insecurities or problem with my scar (contractual scar) in my forehead these scar is cause when i was a child someone burn my forehead that time but when I was in High School I started realized that people will bully and bully you once they saw it so after those bully I plan not to go to a barber shop because I wanted to grow my hair especially the bang so I can hide ny scar in forehead. When I was in senior high school I always think about my scar I am afraid if someone will saw it ang bully me again. All my senior life I live thinking all the day what if the will saw it? What if the will hate me? Can I go to a relationship? Can someone loved me and my scar? Because of this scar I loose all my confidence to face infront of peolple.. And only my trusted friend and family know this scar in my forehead. Right now I stop in collage and I work part time so i could save money because im preparing for my journey and I know it will took me a lot of months to save money but for the sake of this scar I will do my best to treat these scar. Thank you so much for this motivation.
Thank you so much for this inspiring messages. All the thing you said is true it really hard to deal with scar especially you are in a stage of Maturity like me .. When i was a child I don’t have any insecurities or problem with my scar (contractual scar) in my forehead these scar is cause when i was a child someone burn my forehead that time but when I was in High School I started realized that people will bully and bully you once they saw it so after those bully I plan not to go to a barber shop because I wanted to grow my hair especially the bang so I can hide ny scar in forehead. When I was in senior high school I always think about my scar I am afraid if someone will saw it ang bully me again. All my senior life I live thinking all the day what if the will saw it? What if the will hate me? Can I go to a relationship? Can someone loved me and my scar? Because of this scar I loose all my confidence to face infront of peolple.. And only my trusted friend and family know this scar in my forehead. Right now I stop in collage and I work part time so i could save money because im preparing for my journey and I know it will took me a lot of months to save money but for the sake of this scar I will do my best to treat these scar. Thank you so much for this motivation. Im ready to face the battle.
Hi, thank you for sharing your story and I’m sorry to hear about the bullying. It is sadly happening every day to so many children. I think what helped me is someone saying to me: “If the person you love is bothered by your scars then that person is not the right one for you. And you are better off without them anyway.” So then it’s easier to walk away and move on. I always joke it’s a really good filter! I try to keep in mind that it’s the person that matters, who you are inside, and how you treat others. It’s definitely not about the looks. And to remember – nobody spends so much time thinking or wondering about others and their life – everyone is very much dealing with their own life, problems, challenges, changes, they have their own journey that occupies them. And you only need a certain amount of really good and honest people in your life. Focus on those relationships and focus on yourself. Stay strong and I wish you all the best in finding the best approach for your scar. Lots of love
Hi Mary I wanted to know if there anyway I could contact you personally. I loved your story and wanted to know if there was anyway I could contact you through email or a phone call because I have some questions.
Hi Chris, thank you for your comment. You can contact me via the contact form on the website and I will reply