for Addiction1/20/2007 c2 
31emptyword
Oh Lord, I am glad to see you writing this. Sincerely grateful for you to put yourself out there. Your writing is honest, beautiful, painful. I imagine some of the people reading this will connect with you, a moment of back-breaking relief that "God I'm not alone...I wish I understood too." Others, myself included, who could once have done no more than feel a pang of pity cannot now help but feel indebted to your speaking up. And yes, these are sweeping generalizations of my own.
As for your topics.
"Why would some one choose to follow these instructions? Who in their right mind would want to intentionally hurt them selves?
The most common explanations are as follows: 1) To seek attention. 2)To abuse yourself due to feelings of worthlessness. 3)To feel alive."
I do not think these are bad or invalid explanations. The last one in particular is too easy to overlook. Every one of us in this modern age inevitably feel trapped in our habitual lifestyles and chafe to break free, to be wild and human and alive. Cutting could easily be a form of escapism. And most likely, you would never even consciously think, "Oh I need a break," before reaching for the knife. You would just do it.
Addiction, especially that formed through casual habit, is a concept I'm having a hard time understanding. I have no idea why we do it. I say we hunt for the elixir of life first, then tackle this puzzle.
31emptywordOh Lord, I am glad to see you writing this. Sincerely grateful for you to put yourself out there. Your writing is honest, beautiful, painful. I imagine some of the people reading this will connect with you, a moment of back-breaking relief that "God I'm not alone...I wish I understood too." Others, myself included, who could once have done no more than feel a pang of pity cannot now help but feel indebted to your speaking up. And yes, these are sweeping generalizations of my own.
As for your topics.
"Why would some one choose to follow these instructions? Who in their right mind would want to intentionally hurt them selves?
The most common explanations are as follows: 1) To seek attention. 2)To abuse yourself due to feelings of worthlessness. 3)To feel alive."
I do not think these are bad or invalid explanations. The last one in particular is too easy to overlook. Every one of us in this modern age inevitably feel trapped in our habitual lifestyles and chafe to break free, to be wild and human and alive. Cutting could easily be a form of escapism. And most likely, you would never even consciously think, "Oh I need a break," before reaching for the knife. You would just do it.
Addiction, especially that formed through casual habit, is a concept I'm having a hard time understanding. I have no idea why we do it. I say we hunt for the elixir of life first, then tackle this puzzle.
12/23/2005 c2 5atadobsessive5345
Hmm, both of these were quite interesting. I enjoy, for some odd and unknown reason, reading about characters/people/ect that do cut themselves. Personally, I have a kind of longing for pain sometimes. I enjoy it. I have yet to find someone who thinks like that but maybe because I rarely ask. *yawn* I'm so tired. I hate suar highs, you end up twice as tired as when you started out. Anyway, this one I felt was increadibly realistic, so I don't know if it is or not but it was really good and seems...right? Okay, I'm going to stop rambling now, sorry.
5atadobsessive5345Hmm, both of these were quite interesting. I enjoy, for some odd and unknown reason, reading about characters/people/ect that do cut themselves. Personally, I have a kind of longing for pain sometimes. I enjoy it. I have yet to find someone who thinks like that but maybe because I rarely ask. *yawn* I'm so tired. I hate suar highs, you end up twice as tired as when you started out. Anyway, this one I felt was increadibly realistic, so I don't know if it is or not but it was really good and seems...right? Okay, I'm going to stop rambling now, sorry.
11/9/2005 c2 Rowenna
You know just which words to say, when, and how to put them together to express yourself incredibly. The first part of this was extremely well written, and though i'm not a smoker, I can completely understand it. The second I relate to more, being an on-again, off-again cutter. I don't know my "why" either... but this certainly gives me more... continuity or something. I don't know, it was really good. Were these essays written for an assignment or purpose, or just personal queries, I wonder?
You know just which words to say, when, and how to put them together to express yourself incredibly. The first part of this was extremely well written, and though i'm not a smoker, I can completely understand it. The second I relate to more, being an on-again, off-again cutter. I don't know my "why" either... but this certainly gives me more... continuity or something. I don't know, it was really good. Were these essays written for an assignment or purpose, or just personal queries, I wonder?
6/26/2005 c2 anon
this is really good. i never thought i'd be a smoker but i started smoking when i was drunk and as the times i got drunk increased (basically every day) so did the smoking. i gave up the drinking because i hated how i couldn't have fun without it anymore, but the smoking stuck. the act of smoking and the buzz sort of helps when i wish i was drunk, you know? i think thats why i won't quit.
on the topic of cutting i cut for the pain. when im really angry and upset it helps focus the emotion and express it. it calms me down
this is really good. i never thought i'd be a smoker but i started smoking when i was drunk and as the times i got drunk increased (basically every day) so did the smoking. i gave up the drinking because i hated how i couldn't have fun without it anymore, but the smoking stuck. the act of smoking and the buzz sort of helps when i wish i was drunk, you know? i think thats why i won't quit.
on the topic of cutting i cut for the pain. when im really angry and upset it helps focus the emotion and express it. it calms me down
6/21/2004 c1 vanburen
I tried smoking twice, and didn't really like it, but I can see where the whole addiction come in. I remember thinking, "but I could have another one..." But my whole fam smokes, so I decided to steer clear of it while I was still able too. I hope you quit for your health, but we all have our vices so I'm not going to preach. In strict terms of writing, this was really well done. Quality imagery, stream of consciousness writing and all that.
kudos!
I tried smoking twice, and didn't really like it, but I can see where the whole addiction come in. I remember thinking, "but I could have another one..." But my whole fam smokes, so I decided to steer clear of it while I was still able too. I hope you quit for your health, but we all have our vices so I'm not going to preach. In strict terms of writing, this was really well done. Quality imagery, stream of consciousness writing and all that.
kudos!
5/6/2004 c2 52The Reasons
Ihis is amazingly well written. I especailly love the "promise yourself not be be so stupid in future. Break the promise." I can relate to that. And I know that I have yet to answer "the why" as well.
52The ReasonsIhis is amazingly well written. I especailly love the "promise yourself not be be so stupid in future. Break the promise." I can relate to that. And I know that I have yet to answer "the why" as well.
3/9/2004 c2 meg
this article on cutting is amazingly well-worded. as a cutter, i feel very connected to it, and as just an onlooker, it moves me. it really would make just anyone understand. i like the short sentence structure, as it really packs a punch, so to say. the last sentence is very moving, you just have to say 'wow'.
this article on cutting is amazingly well-worded. as a cutter, i feel very connected to it, and as just an onlooker, it moves me. it really would make just anyone understand. i like the short sentence structure, as it really packs a punch, so to say. the last sentence is very moving, you just have to say 'wow'.
9/2/2003 c1 15Jebus hey
First of all, great job on the essay. I started smoking when I was twelve and I got off it just fine. So, I'm sure you can too.
15Jebus heyFirst of all, great job on the essay. I started smoking when I was twelve and I got off it just fine. So, I'm sure you can too.
8/19/2003 c1 33Tiefling
Smoker hurting themselves wouldn't bother me if they were truly hurting ONLY themselves. But here (in Australia) it costs taxpayers millions of dollars a year to look after people with respiratory illnesses they themselves have caused by smoking. Also, many of us who don't choose to smoke get our lungs polluted passively.
This is very well written though. Kudos.
33TieflingSmoker hurting themselves wouldn't bother me if they were truly hurting ONLY themselves. But here (in Australia) it costs taxpayers millions of dollars a year to look after people with respiratory illnesses they themselves have caused by smoking. Also, many of us who don't choose to smoke get our lungs polluted passively.
This is very well written though. Kudos.
6/18/2003 c1 1angelgrl4-ever
good essay. I for one am not a smoker, because i have been around it all my life. Maybe thats why...the smell makes me sick..so why inhale.. I guess that may be only my opinion...but anyawayz..lol maybe i should write and essay contradicting urs..naw..well good job ne wayz..and for the sake of ur heath..i hope on day u do quit..cause my grandmother died of mouth cancer after 25 or more years of smoking. god bless and good bye!
1angelgrl4-evergood essay. I for one am not a smoker, because i have been around it all my life. Maybe thats why...the smell makes me sick..so why inhale.. I guess that may be only my opinion...but anyawayz..lol maybe i should write and essay contradicting urs..naw..well good job ne wayz..and for the sake of ur heath..i hope on day u do quit..cause my grandmother died of mouth cancer after 25 or more years of smoking. god bless and good bye!
6/9/2003 c1 12Tyde
Ah the age old question...why do we smoke? I’ve quit at least six times, but my willpower breaks down (usually with the help of alcohol). Hopefully this time is the last time I quit (I just can’t afford it), but your story makes me want to take it all up again :o) Brilliant story, I enjoyed it as much as that first cigarette of the day!
Thanks for reviewing my story, Always Wanting.
12TydeAh the age old question...why do we smoke? I’ve quit at least six times, but my willpower breaks down (usually with the help of alcohol). Hopefully this time is the last time I quit (I just can’t afford it), but your story makes me want to take it all up again :o) Brilliant story, I enjoyed it as much as that first cigarette of the day!
Thanks for reviewing my story, Always Wanting.
5/19/2003 c1 kgt
Hello! First, thanks for reviewing my story:)
I really, really like your style and that's quite a bit because I'm usually quite picky. I like your description and the language, I really enjoyed that.
I did find the piece slightly too rambly for my liking. Although, that could just be me, since I'm the sort who likes things more focused. But was that the intention? Being rambly to emphasize the addiction?
Overall, good work, I enjoyed it.:)
Regards,
Kariel
Hello! First, thanks for reviewing my story:)
I really, really like your style and that's quite a bit because I'm usually quite picky. I like your description and the language, I really enjoyed that.
I did find the piece slightly too rambly for my liking. Although, that could just be me, since I'm the sort who likes things more focused. But was that the intention? Being rambly to emphasize the addiction?
Overall, good work, I enjoyed it.:)
Regards,
Kariel