Hey guys and gals, I'm starting to have my doubts. I don't know if I'm going to make it, I could use some encouragement. A lot of pain present today, I need a boost to get me through another day. On the verge of breaking this streak.
What I would do is sit down and write out at least ten ways in which your life quality will be improved once you have left PMO behind. After doing so, write down at least ten ways in which your life quality will be decreased if you continue to indulge in PMO. Once you're done, read through each list several times and then visualize both versions of yourself. Really take the time to draw a clear picture in your mind. Dwell on how amazing of a person you're going to be once you're no longer controlled by images on screens. Then dwell on how thoroughly average you will be in comparison if you continue to remain under their control. Sorry if that comes across as too new-agey or whatever, but for true change to occur, I think it's important to realize the truly drastic effect porn has on our lives.
Thanks man, great advice and I will definitely try that. Thing is, I'm thankful I'm at least not concerned as much about porn because besides a handful of relapses, 2017 has been my most porn free year yet! So now I'm focusing on no masturbation, which has proven to be a huge challenge in itself. If I can just break through, get over the hump so to speak. I think also that resisting the urges with such force causes a serious surge of craving, like a shaken up soda bottle. I'm trying to allow these emotions and cravings to exist but remember that I DON'T HAVE TO TAKE ANY ACTION! All these feelings rise and fall, and nonaction is really the key. It's a paradox of resistance and nonresistance. Like don't shove away the emotion, feel it, don't resist it. But DO RESIST the action and intervention on my part. If I take no action then I'm succeeding.
Thats what is said on one of my hypnotherapy recordings don't fight the cravings, see them as a symptom of addiction, relax and they will pass. Its early days for me and I haven't had any serious cravings yet, but I will try and remember this point when they do come along.
Mate I feel your pain. Yesterday (my day 6) I was monitoring my "ambushes" as several times an hour. sitting at my damn computer all day and forcing through distractions - I cooked, went on NoFap, walked the dog, even did some work (lol). One of my most powerful triggers is opportunity so I actively try to starve that - reduce the opportunity IN ANY WAY POSSIBLE. Once you get familiar with the triggers and the ambushes from those old urges you become more adept at tackling them before they overwhelm you. Stay self-aware and distance yourself from the enemy - it's trying to make you do something the real you doesn not want. Dont give in.
