Hey there!

Firstly, thank you so much for taking the time to read this, it means so much

I am about to talk a little about some dark things, so TW/CW for SH/MH/illness/mental illnesses incoming my lovelies - but to sum it up, I am trying to move on from something I've struggled with for a long time, and has continued to evolve the longer my physical health deteriorates. I would love to cover these reminders in time with some beautiful artwork courtesy of Purley Ink who has been tattooing me for years (and is a fellow queer!) With inspiration from Tamsin by bestest bud.

As I am really struggling to work with my physical and mental health being pretty poop, tattoos is a luxury that is just something I can't prioritise right now, but is also something I love deeply and will know will be a benefit to helping me fight this thing.

Self harming is something that is pretty much never discussed, sometimes not even between two people who both share this battle

My first memory of doing this was when I was 9, my mum had just died and I raided the kitchen drawers for something sharp intended for my wrists, if you catch my drift. No 9 year old should want to end their life, but I got through it. These demons never left, they took on multiple faces - Chronic depression & anxiety, dissociation disorders, PTSD, psychotic depression...the list goes on.

Unfortunately, having been broken again and again, I am finding it harder than ever to cope. My body isn't playing ball, and now I am mostly housebound, if not bedbound.

My birthday is coming up (34!!) And after my few near misses with the rainbow bridge in the last year and a bit, I thought i might ask if anyone was considering a gift of any kind, could you please add my tattoo fund? Or even a cheeky little share! It'll take a few full day sessions to cover all these marks, so anything would be a tremendous help and I would be so grateful. I'd also love to take suggestions on what to cover these with if you'd like!

Sending you all big fluffy hugs,

Merlin