How long does it take to break a habit? You may have heard that it takes 21 days to break a habit, a myth that originated in the 1960s book Psycho-cybernetics. The book was written by cosmetic surgeon Maxwell Maltz, who claimed it took patients about 21 days to become accustomed to altered parts of the body, which eventually morphed into altered habits. The science suggests that habit change actually takes much longer to occur. A small 2009 study found that it took anywhere between 18 to 254 days to change habits. I found this on google. This is not what i expected but reality tells me that i was wrong with my belief that 21 days or 90 days was enough. In other words, it means we can expect up to 3 consecutive 90 days challenge or roughly 9 months to kick our habit. WOW....this is not what i had in mind but i understand now why i did 5 months in the past and came back here. I was only about half way there. Food for thought for all of us here.
Another day Well as with the pmo I doubt that it is really a habit. Just compare the brushing of the teeth to pmo do we have any urges to brush our teeth especially when we see someone else brushing theirs or do we feel any strong emotional changes, or excitement when we brush our teeth? Well, it is rather an addiction with an instant emotional effect on us and like any other substance addiction requires us to do more in order to get the result far away from the initial. Do we ever want to brush our teeth more? No. Meanwhile, any addiction, behavioral, or substance abuse is affecting our emotional state instantly causing immediate dependency on it to avoid dealing with our attitude and behavior producing distress in our bodies and minds. Often it is the contradiction between what we were taught, what we feel, and the way we perceive ourselves mentally that forces us to seek immediate emotional gratification and forgetfulness instead of sorting out our inner world and processing and understanding our emotions.
Day 8 back home with the wife and grateful I didn’t disappoint her this weekend while I was away. I am doing all I can to be a better man for her.
90 days done yesterday. One important thing I want to share with you guys is that we should try to find an alternative to watching porn. It helped me a lot to complete the nofap journey. I am very busy with work and my life during these months and get depressed sometimes. But this is the life, isn't it? I will leave the community but my heart is with you guys. I wish everyone achieves his goal.
Day 24 - Feeling good. Had some problems with insomnia the other day so I think I'll start trying to read before bed to calm myself. I also took a cold shower earlier which was helpful.
Your community changes as you do. Just remember that the opposite of addiction is the connection so wherever you are be an active part of the community you live in, engage, speak, and help if you can. Do not be an outside observer -step in and be a doer. This way you'll be alright and stay clean whatever communities life will take you to.
Monday morning and fully back to work. This will be a tough week as the first euphoria of starting the challenge is slowly mellowing down...
Pmod to porn last night. First time viewing porn for about 6 weeks. As soon as I was done I felt the shame that I hadnt felt in a while. I still feel alot of shame overall for how badly ive screwed up my life via addiction. I surrendered the alcohol and drugs many years ago but then for about a year and a half ago i picked up marijuana again and started on a big downhill run, i gambled away every cent i had and put myself in debt. I would " sooth" myself with pmo and chat sites and overeating. Anything to not feel. If i want a good life i have to surrender all of it to the care and guidance if the Higher Power. Ince an addict always an addict. I let my guard down. I need to just let it go and restart. Thanks for all the support
