How long do I NoFap for?

Usually a reboot program is estimated to around 90 days no PMO. But before after a periode of 30 days you probably feel positive differences. The longer you go the more positive differences so I recommend to wait.

 

It depends on your personal goals. I think I was in the same position you're in when I first started. I went 90 days without porn (but I still allowed myself to masturbate), then I went 90 days without porn *and* without masturbation. Now that I'm almost a year clean from porn, I'm going for 90 days without porn, masturbation, or orgasm (also known as hard-mode). Again, it's really up to you and your personal goals. There's no right or wrong answer.

 

Personally, not really. I know that's not the answer a lot of people around here would like to hear (there are a lot of users who believe masturbation is evil or damaging to your body). For me, porn was the real problem. I actually believe masturbation is a healthy part of human sexuality (though I'm well aware this is not the most popular opinion on these forums), so my ultimate goals do not include cutting it out of my life completely. That's just my experience with this whole process.

Overall, my ultimate goals are to cut porn out of my life completely and to separate the experience of viewing porn from my healthy, human sexuality (including masturbation). For me, masturbation is just about enjoying my body. That's how I think it should be, but I think pornography perverts the whole thing into something else entirely, so that's a lot of my motivation for removing porn from my life.

 

You're welcome!

I should mention that taking some time away from masturbating really helped me gain some perspective on things. It really helped me achieve that separation from porn I was looking for. Maybe it will do the same for you if you decide to give it a try.

Overall, just follow your heart. You know what your goals are and what you want out of your life. The most resonant truths come from within.

 

I'm not an expert in this, and I don't want to bash other people who have completed their PMO goals, but I really don't think the masterbation and orgasm is that bad. I think with moderation (not jerking off 8 times a day like I was doing) you can still have a healthy sex life and a good libido. The porn is absolutely most damaging aspect. That is the thing that I feel should be cut out from life totally.

 

You're very welcome. Glad to hear you're making some progress. Just be honest with yourself above all else and don't beat yourself up too much when things go south. Good luck with the rest of your recovery!

 

I agree with you guys that masturbation isn't intrinsically bad - on the contrary I claim that if practiced mindfully it is even beneficial.
After my first experience of NoFap (90 days normal mode with two minor resets and 5 Os with SO) I developed a self-affirmative masturbation ritual which works well for me. I also started a challenge on that - you might check it out if you're looking for a guideline or an inspiration of how to continue masturbation after your reboot in a healthy way.

 

Thanks and yes, there is a tantric influence to it. However I had developed quite a similar M ritual as a teenager all on my own before I ever watched P. I think that has supported me to quit P again - I simply knew there was something more and better to M than stupid PMO. Pure and pristine M. It can be (re)learned.
My hope is that this M practice will help others, too: Switching focus from avoidance to allowance.