Want to be on the track again

Well, here is little something I wrote in another thread:


If you can do it once a month, you are fine.

But...your brain likes all the chemicals that are released when you are masturbating and when you finish that deed. So it want's you do it again! And it keeps sending all those thoughts, physical and emotional sensations (what we call cravings).
Sooner or later you will break your "once a month rule".
Your brain likes repetition! That is how habits are formed. As you masturbate more and more, your brain is slowly working on forming a new brain circuits (very unhealthy one).
At first, you have masturbated just because it was pleasurable and your brain liked all those chemicals. But, before you know it, that circuit in your brain has become a real MONSTER! It want's to be fed all the time! At this point, you no longer only crave masturbation because it feels good, you crave it because it has become a preferred action each time you are feeling slightly "uncomfortable". Angry, sad, bored, depressed, rejected...
That's how it works. That's how people become addicted to alcohol, food, sex, drugs, nicotine, games, porn, internet, gambling....

Your brain is very powerful!
However, it doesn't have to dictate your behaviors. What is learned can be unlearned, but it takes time.
If you can stick with the 90 Days of NoPMO, you will see that you can live without masturbation. Not only that, you will start to wonder why you even did it in the first place.
Of course, from time to time, that monster in your brain will attack you with random thoughts, physical and emotional sensations. But the only difference now is that you have weakened it a lot and you have learned to deal with those "brain attacks" in a different way.

But still...the monster will stay with you for the rest of your life. It doesn't need much to regain its power! All it takes is a little slip....
That's why, this forum is full of people who have relapsed after being clean for 3+ months and now are struggling to go past first week.

I hope this helps you a bit.

I can write a lot about this subject. In fact I should probably write a guide.
It takes a lot of time, but I should definitely do it because it will help me as well.



Here is the thread if you are interested in reading other responses. If not, that's fine. I wish you luck on your journey

 

@cud My advice to you is to forget about long streaks. Sure, you can produce a long streak with an incredible amount of willpower, but if you just go back to regular PMO at the end of a long streak, you'll just end up back where you started from.

I think what we need to do is replace PMO with positive habits. Things that make us stronger and make us feel better in the long term. Think exercise, reading, meditation or whatever works for you. I believe that there is far too much emphasis on long streaks in the PMO community, and not enough on ways we can build a better life without PMO. Strong habits will not only keep you away from PMO for longer (by making you think about other things), they will also help you to get back on track after a future relapse.

Seriously, take some time and write down some things you can do every day that will keep you away from PMO. They don't have to be earth-shattering, but it's a start. Then start doing those things every day until they become habits.

 

Exactly what my first impression was when I looked through the forums. How does it help the people (including me) when everyone wants a long streak? I don't wanna have a streak without a learning effect.

 

First thing first.
Abstain long enough for your brain to rewire itself. That is the main goal here. And that is fine if you are having porn induced ED. Most people just want their dicks to work like they are supposed to.

Now, with this energy and motivation boost you get when you are abstaining from orgasm, it would be a waste to just sit idle and wait for 3 months.
You can and you should add many healthy habits to your life and use this excess energy to develop your body and mind.