What is Your favourite way of recovering and why? Is it working through 12 steps program or is it based on tips from recovery books, or maybe it's both. I would love to know which is it and why You have chosen that way. My way is both, since I think it's for the best to try things out from various sources.
I like reading self-help books (some are bad), but I have a hard time integrating the information in my life and putting it in action. And I keep forgetting what I read, so after a few days it is like I changed nothing. Maybe I need to review my approach...
I've written several posts with my best advice and it has helped many men. You may be interested in reading them. My Final Advice https://forum.nofap.com/index.php?threads/my-final-advice.295945/ My #1 Tip: Change Your Environment https://forum.nofap.com/index.php?threads/my-1-tip-change-your-environment.288435/ How To Use Devices In a Healthy Way https://forum.nofap.com/index.php?threads/how-to-use-devices-in-a-healthy-way.290017/ PMO Has No Power Over You https://forum.nofap.com/index.php?threads/pmo-has-no-power-over-you.290204/
I believe there is really only one way. Hardmode. It’s the only way. If you aren’t eliminating ALL forms of sexual stimulation and being consistent with it to the best of your ability. It isn’t a true reboot for me. Not to sound arrogant , at all. It’s just that it’s simply just the way it is and there’s no other way around it. Once you conquer hardmode, there is not a thing in this world you will not be able to conquer. You will see that every moment and effort to go hardmode was worth it. Stay humble. Good luck.
Self help books are very good, but only as long as You actually use the tips You get from them in real life. If You find it hard to integrate the knowledge You gathered by reading, then I can recommend You 2 things to help You with it: 1. Instead of only reading, write down in some good place the important parts, which in Your opinion would make Your life better. 2. Keep these notes always in a place, where You will have easy access to them, so You won't have to look for them. This way You'll know that it is important and that it's a material, that You'll implement in Your life. I wish You all the best
Well, being on hardmode isn't even a question to ponder on. Without full cutoff, it's like being a drug addict and trying to quit, but at the same time getting some drug in a system from time to time. Such thinking is just like a voluntary smokescreen, the way to ignore the fact, that a person is not fully ready yet to quit.
I agree with hard mode. It just gives you the chance to actually reboot like turning off your sexual stimulation and then turning it back on. In fact, I think it's the only way to develop real sexual self-control. I mean, no offense to those who go on soft mode, but when you go like that, you could be replacing porn with your partner, try to mitigate your cravings with lots of sex and masturbation, and eventually relapsing to PMO... at least that was my experience when I tried to go that way.
It can go that way, if the neuroconnection in the brain is still at the place of relating real life nudity to porn use.
Yeah I really need to get in the habit of writing in a journal. I feel productive doing passive activities, but I need the active part for it to be true.
Definitely true. It’s hard mode or no mode. Some people will debate that you can quit p and then m, but I feel like it’s like a nicotine patch. Your not quitting until you go cold turkey hardmode. It’s the only way IMO.
I think to answer your original question, the best way I found to quit masturbation effectively is to take one day at a time and make sure you always remind yourself and envision a fap free future, and the exponential benefits that will come from it. patience is also key, knowing that things will be ok as long as you stay away from pmo. one of the worst pains, imo, is when you have a nice 20-30 day streak going (or really any streak) and you slip up. When this happens, you just gotta keep moving and be back on your way. Never give up, of course, avoid it even happening, but just keep going and never give up. the most important thing, is first, to make sure you try to never relapse, you feel really really strong urges you gotta keep away 100%. Never give in. just always remind yourself that the only way to a good life is to eliminate pmo. It’s the truth. Always remember why you started and where your going.
To me recovery the best works when I'm trying to slowly get my things in balance and healthy. Instead of just eating healthier I also try to read at least something once in a while or just watch videos with inspiring content in them. And also I feed my soul with good music. I try to surround myself with positivity and good vibes. Even if I'm not in mood, I'm doing my best to have a strong mentality while going through tough stuff.So what really helps is: balance of things - healthy things; discipline - like - cold showers, working out; educating myself about nofap topic; reading success stories.