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If you could go back in time and warn your younger self about PMO addiction, would you?

Discussion in 'Porn Addiction' started by Caveat Emptor, Nov 19, 2015.

If you could go back in time and warn your younger self about PMO addiction, would you?

  1. Yes

  2. No

Results are only viewable after voting.
  1. I did warn myself on the dangers of porn addiction when I was younger and knew it will negatively inpact my life if I continued which I did.
     
  2. bm12

    bm12 Fapstronaut

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    I've lost too much to PMO to be able to say it was worth any lessons learned. I've lost potentially great relationships, a marriage, time with my children, and self respect. It's never been worth it.
     
    Caveat Emptor likes this.
  3. nitsuj0786

    nitsuj0786 Fapstronaut

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    I have only been married a year, don't have any children but I have suffered much from PMO. I have experienced pied and many great relationships. I have probably missed out on a lot of sexual opportunities that I might have had during my early 20's. I wasn't that good at talking to women and now I know why that is. I am not very far on my journey but this year I have experienced a lot more than I ever thought I would. So, I'm not sure if I would or not. The feeling of finally being free and knowing I can accomplish so much more than most do I don't want to trade. Now this being said I have only lost certain experiences, if I gave this a few more years down the road then I would have probably answered differently because I know further down the road there would be certain things I would lose that I would not want to ever experience.
     
  4. randompatriot

    randompatriot Fapstronaut

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    As much as I enjoyed and loved the things I saw I would tell my younger self not to keep going down that path. Although I know this is part of the journey I'm leading in life, I think I could've been much more satisfied if I would have stopped this from its roots.

    And given that I've always been open about time travel as a possibility, my younger self would probably have taken this as a Rule of Iron XD
     
    Caveat Emptor likes this.
  5. Bearommesa

    Bearommesa Fapstronaut

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    I have lost a lot of time and a few friends because of PMO'ing. I've also let down a number of good people a few times because of PMO-related issues. If I could have warned myself, I would. I probably would still PMO, but maybe I'd realize the detrimental effects it has had earlier on. Apparently I've only been here since January, so if I'd known earlier...yeah.

    Nonetheless, on the other hand, it has made me realize how valuable time is and being on this journey has made me a better person already.
     
    WhoStoleMySock likes this.
  6. Dizzy Lotus

    Dizzy Lotus Fapstronaut

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    That photograph is a great idea. Showing yourself something you can't enjoy yet, because you aren't so stumped yet.
    I once quit porn for months when I accidentally found a video showing a close-up of a woman masturbating, while at that time, I was only used to striptease. I'd watch videos like that now no problem.
     
  7. looking

    looking Fapstronaut

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    I claimed straight edge at a young age, always avoided drugs and alcohol because my health and well-being is something I personally would never even risk.

    If only I had known I was becoming an addict right in front of my own eyes. All I was ever told was thought PMO was normal and a great, natural way to relax.

    Now I can't get out. When I do it will be a major turning point in my life, maybe it will be for the better if I can quit and become a strong person...But, right now, when I have been struggling for over a year to quit, it seems like there is nothing more I could have ever wished for than to have known how dangerous PMO is.
     
  8. msmahamed

    msmahamed Fapstronaut

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    Actually, the post was in the tone of the repulsive woman that I lost my virginity to. In an effort to stop PMO'ing, get my shit right and do what I've always wanted to do in life.

    But, your method works as well lol
     
  9. Kyoheix

    Kyoheix Fapstronaut

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    I'd totally do. I'm a man of reason. Just time travel, point to the available literature and that's it. No lecturing.
    I was also told that playing with myself was all cool, natural, a good way to get to know my body and a stress relief.

    I now remember being told not in the exact words but something on the lines that jerking off will become an addiction if done every time we faced a problem. If only the dude who told me that would have explained more clearly I probably won't be this deep in.
     
  10. Jmak290

    Jmak290 Guest

    Forget PMO. I just need to go back to the kitchen, when I was 7, when I was severely disciplined for masterbating...?!!?

    ... I just need to give little Johnnie a hug and let him know someone loves him. PMO was just the smokescreen.

    I would love to go back and train myself to deal with stress. That test in school? MASTERBATION is not the answer to the stress.

    Little Johnnie just needed a mentor in the basic life skills.

    Good question!!
     
  11. Dizzy Lotus

    Dizzy Lotus Fapstronaut

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    I know, I just provided an example of how it can work to see things you'd relapse to later, but you averse now. [​IMG]
     
    msmahamed likes this.
  12. Golgo 13

    Golgo 13 Fapstronaut

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    Hell yes I would warn my 16 year old self about PMO. I'd tell him if you go nofap you get real women, more confidence, more energy, people recognize you as a leader/take charge person, etc. Its the truth, theres no way around it.

    PMO has been the biggest problem in my life I think. And thats coming from someone who has been using drugs for 7 years, borderline murdered, constant fighting, and a billion other things.
    If I only knew about nofap around 16, I would be a completely different person today; but time machines dont exist, so going forward just remember guys that people have healed successfully and so will you, but you have to take nofap seriously, and not relapse again.
     
    WhoStoleMySock and Caveat Emptor like this.
  13. nobonin

    nobonin Fapstronaut

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    I don't know that "warn" myself is the right way to think of it - that would have made 15 year old me that much more interested. I would love to have a chance to talk to myself at 15 or 16 though, and let myself know that all I was doing is warping myself. That it will now be a much harder climb back to a normal, healthy sexuality. That some positive and rewarding relationships would be scuttled because of an inability to resist PMO and the way that distracted me from what was important.
    Where I am now is fine. I just wish I'd gotten myself here years ago.
     
    Caveat Emptor likes this.
  14. Caveat Emptor

    Caveat Emptor Distinguished Fapstronaut

    I like this a lot.
    That's a very good way to think about it.
     
  15. quietSoul

    quietSoul Fapstronaut

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    Yes, I'd try to do the same but my 10 year old self wouldn't understand a thing and wander quite blindly into it again.
     
  16. Verhart

    Verhart Fapstronaut

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    I'd surprise you, but I wouldn't warn myself. When I look back I see a lot of things which could have been done better and a lot of disappointments that could be avoided.

    The point is, maybe they were necessary to teach me a lesson? I don't know where I'd be now if I could warn myself, but I know where I'm now. And where I'm now is a good place.
     
  17. NF_Titan

    NF_Titan Guest

    even if I warn my younger self, he will fap after I leave(sigh) hence the no
     
  18. I concur with this, which is why I voted "no." The place I'm at right now is just simply amazing and I'm growing and learning so much and it's such a unique experience, being here and meeting all of you wonderful people. There's absolutely nothing right or good about PMO, but by grace it's being used to bring something even better than I ever imagined in my life.

    It's a weird thing, regret. I've never been able to really make myself feel it. Though I wasted a lot of time and effort and created this sickness within my own mind that has effected my marriage in some ways, I just can't bring myself to want to take it all back, because then I wouldn't be here right now, and I wouldn't have learned the lessons I did and grown in the way I have. And my marriage has grown stronger too, because overcoming adversity often breeds strength and connection.

    I don't know, it's a strange dichotomy, feeling like PMO has been so destructive and awful and knowing it's wrong but not being able to say "I wish I had never done it."
     
    iborntobefree and SnowWhite like this.
  19. SnowWhite

    SnowWhite Fapstronaut

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    Warning is not necessary.
    I knew from the beginning on that this was dangerous. I intentionally played with the fire.

    I was warned, but I hated the warners. I wanted to look behind the curtain.
    It was always my personal way to go into a fire and learn to tame the flames.

    Porn and sex turned out to be very dangerous and addictive, but on the other side, through it, I experienced some really great encounters. And I met some people I would never have met otherwise. And I saw other sides in people which I could never imagine.

    As a young man, warnings were useless with me. Warnings only made me more curious.
    Wha I really would have needed, were love, warmth and understanding.
    Then, I would have explored porn anyway, but it would not have turned out to be addictive.

    And now, I learn so much about self discipline and new behaviour. It's a totally new chapter in my life and that's wonderful!
     
  20. Divine

    Divine Fapstronaut

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    No, the old me wasn't going to care anyway. Everything happens for a reason. :)
     
    SnowWhite likes this.

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