It’s common knowledge that nobody gets through this life without scars.
Some are invisible and internal, and others are there for the entire world to see. Naturally, no two people carry their scars quite the same way, and this is especially true of scars that physically mark you.
For example, one tattoo parlor in Brazil offers elaborate tattoos for free to victims of domestic violence. It’s a way for the women to reclaim their marks, and rewrite the narrative of their past.
Now, a similar trend is emerging in people who have previously self-harmed or attempted suicide, and want to remind themselves to live life to the fullest every single day.
These tattoos are often cover-ups of scars left behind from self-harm, and have an important purpose: turning reminders of rock bottom into shining beacons of hope for the future.
Recently, Love What Matters shared an incredible story about a woman who set about getting her scars covered and set off an incredible chain reaction.
Read on below to learn more about her remarkable story.
The story starts with a young mom named CeeCee.
She went into a tattoo parlor with a specific design in mind: a compass with the initials of her four kids standing in for the cardinal directions.
The design also incorporated the Greek word "Sozo," which means "healed" or "whole."
The piece was designed to cover up the scars left behind by self-harm as a teenager.
What CeeCee never expected was the surprise waiting for her at the tattoo parlor, where her tattoo artist couldn't shake off a suspicion.
According to the post, the artist told her, "You know, you remind me of someone I used to know."
After a few shaky moments, they realized that they had been in the hospital together, in the ward for teenagers at risk for suicide and self-harm.
Both had come through the experience and were stronger than ever.
And together, with the symbolic gesture of CeeCee's "Sozo" tattoo, they closed the chapter on that shared experience.
CeeCee may have posted her new tattoo for the catharsis of rewriting a painful piece of personal history, but we doubt she could have anticipated the outpouring of support online.
Her post quickly received 29,000 reactions on Facebook, and was shared more than 2,000 times.
With each share, it reached more and more readers, spreading CeeCee's message of self-acceptance and hope.
And as the post reached more and more people, something remarkable began to happen.
More and more people began to post pictures of their own body art in the comments section of the photo.
Many had art that represented a loved one or a meaningful moment, but the majority had done just what CeeCee had — they had turned a remnant of a low point into a shining beacon of optimism.
People wrote in from all over the world to show CeeCee birds taking flight, important quotes, infinity signs, and blooming flowers.
In many cases, these tattoos covered up slender, repeated horizontal scars, the most distinctive marks associated with self-harm or "cutting."
For a handful of posters, the marks were the result of survived suicide attempts.
Most movingly, people in the comments noted over and over again that they were amazed that they had so much company.
Depression is an isolating illness by its very nature, and people often don't want to share their struggles when they're in pain.
Now, removed from the immediate trauma of their self-harm, the people sharing their art were able to see just how many others were right there beside them the whole time.
One woman noted, "Crazy how many people have done the same thing," while another added, "Never heard of anyone else getting ones to cover up scars, so I absolutely love this!"
By posting their art, these individuals were connecting with the only other people in the world who know exactly what they've been through.
They're building a community of survivors through their art, their bravery, and their willingness to share.
This story is a beautiful testament to the ripple effect of social media, and how it can bring together people from all walks of life.
When CeeCee and her tattoo artist recognized their connection, that was a tiny, wonderful spark of the unity and power of people who have suffered.
And when CeeCee posted her story online to thousands and thousands, that spark turned into something bigger and even better!
If you love the idea of a tiny, meaningful moment jump-starting change all over the world, make sure to SHARE this story with friends and family!
