icons to symbolize recovery but also choice

[Lookingtoflyfree]

I was thinking of looking into icons or runes to symbolize how I feel, so I can have something I write on me every morning on my hip remind myself I have control so that if I need to end things, I can.

Maybe it's this symbol for healing? https://viking.style/viking-symbol-for-healing-prevents-energy-blockages/ . I get a lot of comfort knowing I have secrets about my life nobody knows, and being able to decide CTB is one of these. I would love to know idea for what this icon would be. I don't want the semi colon or any toxic positivity views. I would love to write something on me every morning on that nobody sees to remind me that I have agency to choose if and when. I get so incredibly exhausted and broken down by social interactions and the state of the world and trying to survive; while I could get a ring or jewelry to wear, I also want something in secret that I wear that says 'you do have a choice and you can go whenever you want, and that's ok'.

I want the one thing in my life I can control to be hidden I'm withdrawing from my life - social media, in person interactions - and really focusing on art and relocating, and want to preserve as much of my energy, so if there are icons that somehow also prevent talking people from having their energies be too strong even better. I don't really believe in crystals and all that but am feeling so vulnerable and would love any ideas.

 

[timf]

It sort of sounds like you are looking for what some native American tribes used as a totem. For them it helped to both establish an identity as well as an emblem of their spiritual beliefs. There is a risk in this for an individual as it can partially externalize an identify which can become a barrier to improving. completing, or healing an internal identity.

Identity is a tricky subject. Some see themselves as what they do. Others can see themselves in what they have. Still other define themselves as what group they belong to. Having an icon the observation of which can produce a feeling of control may be useful in the short term. However, perhaps a more useful tactic would to cultivate some aspect of yourself to improve might also be a way to get a feeling of control as well as benefit you.

If you are frequently late for things, making changes so that you are punctual can boost your identity as well as contribute to a basis for feeling more in control If you often forget things, making lists might be a way to exercise control. We all have things we would like to improve. Taking steps to do so gives both a feeling of control as well as helping us do better.

 

[alltoomuch2]

How about a path that forks to symbolise choice. Green leaves or a sun to symbolise recovery, and the words "I choose today" meaning you have control every new day.

 

[daley]

Maybe another source of iconography could be the language Blissymbols, which is an invented graphical language.
If you dig enough in their website perhaps you could graphically write any kind of expression you want, and
hardly anybody will able to figure out their meaning.

I think it is pretty cool, but requires some work to figure how symbols are constructed. There is a learning curve.

Here is a list of all the symbols. To get an image of a symbol, use the following URL followed by its symbol number: https://www.blissymbolics.net/refnumber/XXXX

And now for some examples:
This is "health":

And this is "healthy":

So, as you can see, there is some "grammar" involved. The "v" on the top means something that modifies health.

Here are some more symbols:

choice:

recover:

suicide:

These are more compound images, and to understand them deeply probably requires understanding the individual symbols, and how they are combined.

The word "choice" is made up of:
eye:

divide:

many:

Although not sure how the small arrows above the symbols fit in.

The word "suicide" is simpler. It is just composed of the symbols:

cause:

death:

self:

 

[Lookingtoflyfree]

It sort of sounds like you are looking for what some native American tribes used as a totem. For them it helped to both establish an identity as well as an emblem of their spiritual beliefs. There is a risk in this for an individual as it can partially externalize an identify which can become a barrier to improving. completing, or healing an internal identity.

Identity is a tricky subject. Some see themselves as what they do. Others can see themselves in what they have. Still other define themselves as what group they belong to. Having an icon the observation of which can produce a feeling of control may be useful in the short term. However, perhaps a more useful tactic would to cultivate some aspect of yourself to improve might also be a way to get a feeling of control as well as benefit you.

If you are frequently late for things, making changes so that you are punctual can boost your identity as well as contribute to a basis for feeling more in control If you often forget things, making lists might be a way to exercise control. We all have things we would like to improve. Taking steps to do so gives both a feeling of control as well as helping us do better.

It's interesting you say that - I'm not often late but have thought about getting a clockface on my arm to remind myself that my time is limited and not to waste it on anything that drains me. A lot of this isn't just day to day life management but you're correct, embracing identity is complicated but also something that is giving me a lot of joy in life.

How about a path that forks to symbolise choice. Green leaves or a sun to symbolise recovery, and the words "I choose today" meaning you have control every new day.

I love this! I love the Blissymbols suggestion too, but the fork is really something powerful here. I really appreciate everyone's ideas and it's giving me a lot to think through and to reframe the purpose of what I'm doing this for. It's not just a way to say 'how do I stay alive, let me see this icon', but more 'here is the future possibility and choice I can do'. Tattoos are often tied to past events - something I am afraid to incorporate - and I really love future forward ideas here!

How about a path that forks to symbolise choice. Green leaves or a sun to symbolise recovery, and the words "I choose today" meaning you have control every new day.

I love this! I love the Blissymbols suggestion too, but the fork is really something powerful here. I really appreciate everyone's ideas and it's giving me a lot to think through and to reframe the purpose of what I'm doing this for. It's not just a way to say 'how do I stay alive, let me see this icon', but more 'here is the future possibility and choice I can do'. Tattoos are often tied to past events - something I am afraid to incorporate - and I really love future forward ideas here!