Anonymous asked: So, personal fitness is a requirement for graduation at our school, but I'm really self conscious, especially about my self harm scars. Most of my scars are words like ugly and failure, so it's pretty obvious. I asked my friend and she said that we all change in front of each other, and there's no stalls, or anything to hide my body. I don't want anyone to see them, least of all do I want my actual friends finding out about my self harm from others. I mean, is there anything I can do?

Unfortunately, I had to pass gym all four years to graduate high school. I have a lot of lovely scars too as did a lot of friends. The thing is, when you’re changing in the locker room, it isn’t at all like a teen movie. Girls aren’t strutting around in the underwear, everyone is rushing to get changed without flashing each other and getting their boobs, hips and butt judged. I had some bad self harm marks in my early high school years which have faded to nothingness, and I was a big believer in a long sleeved shirt under everything until I grew confident enough about them to just say, ‘yes, that was a part of my life and I’m over it and stronger for it.’ It’s your past, it’s not anyone else’s business. If all else fails and you’re positive that people are going to see them, then you’re going to have to talk to your teacher and explain that you have some scarring and body issues that you really aren’t comfortable sharing. There’s a chance she’ll let you change in the bathroom or show up early/leave late. If you talk to her, it’s her responsibility to make you comfortable and keep you safe. If she doesn’t know, she’s not going to do anything about it.