Q: Call attention to a funky t-shirt or top by wearing a cardigan over it and leaving the buttons unbuttoned. You can choose a solid color that ties in with the shirt, or get even funkier by wearing a cardigan with stripes or some other pattern. This look is casual yet stylish and looks great paired with regular jeans, skinny jeans or tights. Wearing a cardigan open can also accentuate a bold necklace or scarf. This versatile look can be styled many different ways. You can make it more casual by wearing it sneakers or amp up the style by wearing sleek ankle boots. Put a simple cardigan over a bold outfit to tone it down a bit during the daytime or simplify an otherwise formal ensemble. A bold pattern can be softened with a cardigan in a solid, basic color like black. If you're wearing garments with a stiff fit or sharp angles, a lightweight cotton cardigan with soft lines can relax the look. Go from a day look to an evening look quickly by removing the cardigan. Most people think of cardigans as garments to go on top of shirts, but as long it's the right cut, a cardigan can look great on its own. Create a casual but sophisticated look by wearing a lightweight, fitted cardigan in a neutral color by itself. If it buttons all the way up to the collarbone, leave the top button open so that it will be comfortable and breathable. Wear it with a skirt for a retro look. Classic hip-length and cropped cardigans on top of the skirt of your choice creates a very 50s retro vibe. This look can be dressed up or down. Almost any skirt you choose will look great, whether it's ruffled, tiered, long, short, pencil or otherwise. Experiment with a bohemian look by pairing a solid-colored cardigan with a bright turtleneck. Round out the boho look with a chunky, beaded necklace. Add another vintage-looking element by wearing a brooch on the cardigan. Place it on the right or left side of the chest for a traditional look. You could also close a button-less wrap cardigan with a brooch. Create a 70s vibe by wearing a casual cardigan over a ruffled blouse with a pair of flare-legged jeans. Take this look a step further by topping it off with a big, floppy hat or by adding a pair of clogs. Cardigans with funky, unique patterns and bright colors can look really fun. The wilder the pattern, the simpler the rest of the outfit and accessories should be. Wear a boldly patterned cardigan with garments that are solid colors. For instance, you could wear a funky patterned cardigan with a pair of slim-fitting black jeans, black shoes and black sunglasses. Not all cardigans are casual-looking garments. Dressy cardigans can feature unusual, eye-catching details like lace sleeves, a double-breasted fit, ornate buttons and so on. They are rarely oversized, since form-fitting pieces tend to look more elegant. You can also dress up a basic outfit by choosing a longer cardigan with a coat-like fit. These have a very polished look and can spruce up an outfit as basic as a t-shirt with jeans. Add dimension and style to an outfit by draping a belt around your hips or waist, over the cardigan. For a sleek look or to create the illusion of a waist, place the belt around the thinnest part of your waist. Go with a skinny belt, which looks very polished, or a wide fashion belt for a chic look. When pairing with a belt, the cardigan can be either buttoned or unbuttoned. Aside from a traditional cardigan, you could also go with an open cardigan, which has no buttons. This can create a very smooth look. If you want to try something a little different, wrap a long sash or scarf around your waist instead of a regular belt.
A: Wear the cardigan open and loose. Dress down a flashy outfit. Wear it solo. Make a retro or bohemian statement. Add flair with a unique pattern. Look for dressy cardigans with unusual details and stylish cuts. Put a belt over it.

Q: Take a step back and try to understand the real reason for your self-harming behaviors. Are you cutting to reduce stress or escape painful emotions? Are you cutting to as a way to feel in control of a part of your life? Was there a traumatic experience in your life that lead you to begin engaging in self-harming behaviors? Understanding the catalyst to your cutting behaviors will give you a launch pad to begin your healing. Once you have established the root of your cutting behaviors, you must access your feelings and learn how your feelings are connected to your cutting. Do not hide your emotions or bottle them up. Express what you are feeling as they occur. Try writing them down or talking to someone about your feelings. Recognize that your feelings directly impact your actions. If you are feeling exceptionally sad, the urge to cut may become stronger. By acknowledging that you are sad, you will anticipate your urges and begin to become more aware of the patterns of your self-harm behavior. Acknowledge your feeling by saying phrases like "I am feeling ____" and, "I accept that I am feeling___." Triggers are people, places, or events that provoke your cutting behaviors. Triggers vary by person, and you must understand your specific triggers to better handle your cutting behaviors. Deciphering your specific triggers may help you more readily understand what is causing your cutting behaviors. Write down events and feelings leading up to each time you cut yourself. Look for patterns and similarities to better understand your specific triggers. You will know you have been "triggered" when your emotions surge and become intense and out of proportion following the event that triggered you. Do you enter a quiet room and lay out your cutting tools or listen to a specific song before each cutting event? You likely have ritualized and sometimes unconscious behaviors you do surrounding your self-harm behavior. Become aware of these will help you notice when you are going to cut. Engage in mindfulness exercises to bring your unconscious "rituals" to the conscious. Take explicit notes on each action you engage in. For example, "I am going into my room. I am closing the door. I am rolling up my sleeves." These thoughts will interrupt your rituals and make yourself more aware. Practice being mindful by going to a quiet room and noticing your posture, where your arms hang, the temperature and smell of the room, etc Keep practicing this and soon, you will be able to become aware of your cutting rituals. Visualize how your life would be if you didn't cut. Do you think you would feel more fulfilled or could you do certain things that your cutting is holding you back from? Think about the future repercussions of your cutting behaviors such as your children asking about the scars on your arms, or jobs you might miss out on. Visualizing your life without cutting should help motivate you to end the behavior. Further motivate yourself by telling yourself that you can stop and you will stop.
A:
Decipher the root of your cutting behavior. Get in touch with your feelings. Identify your triggers. Understand your cutting rituals. Imagine your life without cutting.