1. Welcome to NoFap! We have disabled new forum accounts from being registered for the time being. In the meantime, you can join our weekly accountability groups.
    Dismiss Notice

The stages of ''nofap''

Discussion in 'Rebooting - Porn Addiction Recovery' started by Heelhook, Oct 9, 2017.

  1. Heelhook

    Heelhook Fapstronaut

    116
    44
    28
    I am thinking about a guide to the stages of nofap..
    I have around 3 years experience of nofap and ive felt all the high and lows of the journey.
    I started pmo when i was 13 and the start of nofap journey was when i was 18. My addiction was going on for 5 years and i assure you those 5 years were a big waste of my life.luckily i saw the light early on and got on the nofap train.

    First year was absolute HELL to say the least. Intense deep sadness and suicide toughts. After those bad intense moments were moments of what people like to call here ''superpowers''. These superpowers come and go and are not persisent for me.One day you feel shit the next day you feel like you can fly.

    And for every relapse the cycle just started all over again and with every streak i got a bit further in the cycle.

    All about this cycle i will put in my next post because its too big to include it in here.
     
  2. Heelhook

    Heelhook Fapstronaut

    116
    44
    28
    Nice going to post one also but then with my perspective of the whole cycle of nofap.
     
    Deleted Account likes this.
  3. Heelhook

    Heelhook Fapstronaut

    116
    44
    28
    Thanks brother
     
    Deleted Account likes this.
  4. seaguy44

    seaguy44 Moderator Assistant

    I’m between stage 3 and 4. Seeing early signs of stage 4
     
    Deleted Account and vibemaker like this.
  5. Shit! Feels like I jumped stage 1 and 2 and went right to the flatline since day 1...
     
    Deleted Account likes this.
  6. Ravin3

    Ravin3 New Fapstronaut

    1
    1
    3
    Im on stage 3 (30th day) when usually starts 4stage?
     
    Deleted Account likes this.
  7. Jimmy5555

    Jimmy5555 Fapstronaut

    68
    190
    33
    Thats me so 35 days here in stage 3 I think now.. I'd like to know how long it usually lasts.
     
  8. Isaac2147

    Isaac2147 Fapstronaut

    45
    84
    18
    Thanks for the post. It is good to know which stage you are on to feel it is normal.
     
    2525 likes this.
  9. Kexas23

    Kexas23 Fapstronaut
    NoFap Defender

    422
    1,157
    123
    I feel moments of intense rage sometimes. I'm 15 days in, which is close to new personal records for me. I work out everyday and I think I have too much testosterone going through me.
     
    vibemaker likes this.
  10. Single Palm Change

    Single Palm Change Fapstronaut

    576
    1,174
    123
    This is important stuff. I can see the parallels to quitting any kind of addiction or habit - IMO this is the neurotransmitter/receptor system rebalancing.
    It takes time, because one adjustment is setting off a long chain of other adjustments which go back and have an effect on the original adjustment. The time it takes to readjust and then move on to improving functioning is different for everyone because everyone is wired differently, both genetically and habit-wise
     
    justafriend likes this.
  11. Stages Of NoFap Reboot


    Foreword
    The following so-called "stages" are hypothetical and based purely on observation of own experiences, behavior and reports of other Fapstronauts.
    The time periods mentioned are rough estimates, and do not refer to your current NoFap streak, but to the maximum streak you have achieved, as well as the average streaks you have. There is no guarantee that the techniques for progress and preventing relapses will work at all times. Please also remember that you are not forced to implement these; they are merely suggestions.

    Stages of NoFap

    1. Dilettantism (appr. 0-15 days)
    When just starting NoFap, the dilettante is positive and expectant of results. He maintains the attitude to "just go for it", and is likely to relapse within the first two weeks, as he did not prepare for upcoming urges. The dilettante lacks experience in resisting urges, and is mostly not very disciplined. Without knowing how to react in critical situations, he may try to violently resist his notions, but will crack within a short period of time, going back to the behavior he is used to. The dilettante may experience slight effects, which make a huge impression on him. If these effects do not occur, it may happen that he gives up entirely.

    As a dilettante, it is important to be aware of the fact that you are not prepared. Caution and awareness is extremely important; when strong urges arise, you should pay close attention to the circumstances you are in, and immediately seek help from more experienced Fapstronauts. If you get no immediate response to your request for help (which will happen quite often), search the /r/NoFap database for posts that respond to your situation. You must remember that you are not exceptionally important to others, and as a beginner, the learning process is very contingent on yourself. Don't think that knowledge will be served to you on a silver platter, make observations and try to learn from these.

    When you as a more experienced fapstronaut are helping a dilettante, try to avoid using vocabulary such as "simply", "just", or "not hard". Some things may be evident to you when you are experienced, for the dilettante however, these are totally new things that he has to experience himself first. If a dilettante relapses, try to give him encouragement, and honor his achievements so far.

    2. The Void (appr. 15-25 days)
    This stage is called the void because it is hard to determine what will happen during this time. In the void, the prospective fapstronaut may still cling to desperately to dilettantism (a stage you actually never really leave, in my opinion), or may have already advanced into the next stage. In the void, it is likely to happen that the fapstronaut looks back upon the from his point of view long time he has gone without relapsing. Mind tricks and brain fog are common issues he has to deal with.

    This can be solved by practicing rational thinking. Try to get away from daydreaming, and focus on what is actually there. I would counsel against meditation during this time, as brain fog may trick you into using the relaxation for relapsing, replacing the meditation process for the relapse-process. Meditation is normally done in spare moments, and as you are used to using spare moments for relapsing, you will easily fall back. Additionally, try to get a healthy amount of sleep (not too much!), and spend as little time as possible at the computer. Try to ban music(music that contains sexual references) completely from your daily routine unless somebody else you are communicating with (texts do not count!) is near you. Apart from that, try to figure out in which of the other stages you are closest to, and practice a few of the precautions meant for them too.

    3. Puberty (25-60 days and longer)
    In puberty the fapstronaut is basically the same as a teenager in real life. He is experiencing many of the normally reported benefits, and is noticing some that are specific to him as well. He is constantly discovering new methods of improving his life, and makes himself a routine that is strictly followed. Discipline is at an all time high, and feeling of invincibility arise. The thing about puberty is that this feeling of invincibility can surprisedly change into the opposite. This common occurrence is also known as flat-lining, and may continue for about two weeks. It is possible that more than one flat-line occurs, and that there are only a few days between these. In general though, puberty is a stage of immense growth. The fapstronaut will make most of his experiences in this time, and develop many defense strategies, some efficient, some not. Relapsing during this time is a relatively large throwback, as it can destroy ideas and prolong flat-lining.

    Therefore, it is especially important to avoid binging after a relapse in this stage. Binging will throw you back to the very start, as you do not have strategies to get back to your previous state. To avoid a relapse, you should try to stay realistic and avoid being haughty. The strategies you have figured out for yourself should be preserved, as only you know what works for you, and what not. Enhanced accountability is a powerful weapon against urges, as it may catapult you into the next stage. However, with flat-lines reoccurring every once in a while, puberty can continue all the way through the next stage.

    4. Welcome To The Machine (appr. 60-90 days)
    From my experience this is the most relaxing stage you will encounter on your journey except for those going far into the future. In Welcome To The Machine, the fapstronaut functions like a machine - flawlessly. Urges are mostly held at bay, and the approximating 90 day mark gives him new motivation and determination not to relapse. Benefits are constantly experienced, and coming out of flat-lining, everything feels a bit nicer for the fapstronaut. Life is going upwards. The fapstronaut experiences a confidence boost and is harder to unbalance. He has effectively tested methods against sudden urges and has developed his own strategy.

    As a fapstronaut in Welcome To The Machine, there isn't much that will harm you. However, if something totally unnerving does happen, you should try to remember your principles: Why you are doing this, and what you have built over the course of the last two to three months. Access your fundament and rely on it.

    5. The Great Salt Desert (90-365? Days)
    So why is this stage called The Great Salt Desert, even though it begins at 90 days? Shouldn't this be the stage called "Freedom", or "Paradise"? Well... no. It doesn't end at 90 days; 90 days is just a way mark, an achievement, but not more. This stage is called The Great Salt Desert because it is the longest so far. Seemingly endless, it is the second last stage. This stage is also called The Great Salt Desert because it is empty. The fapstronaut who reaches this place is overall happy; the thing is: Benefits are getting extremely rare. The fapstronaut has experienced most of the common benefits, has gotten used to them and is waiting for something bigger. Except that won't come. This stage is like a saturation curve; the closer you get to your goal, the slower you go. Not noticing benefits anymore, the fapstronaut may lose his determination. His brain slowly tricks him into thinking that he is finished and can go back to his old behavior, practicing it in healthy amounts. This may lead to a relapse.

    Relapses in this stage are practically harmless. Your achievements of the last 4 months won't suddenly disappear. It is vital to not trick yourself into relapsing over and over though. As if that happens, you may fall back into your old behavior. The trick to gaining benefits in this stage is slightly different to the other stages. Previously, you worked on yourself in ways of creating new habits, and getting disciplined. Now, you should try to go out of your comfort zone as often as possible. Over time, our brain tries to build ourselves a nice and comfortable spot to stay in - metaphorically. This lies in our human nature, and we can prevent this by leaving our comfort zone as often as possible. Discomfort is a sign of growth, or rather: Discomfort forces you to grow.


    6. The Happy Hunting Grounds (appr. 365?days)
    This stage is the last stage I would like to define. As I have personally never reached this stage, I cannot determine whether there are more, and what lies here is only what I assume lies here.

    The Happy Hunting Grounds are the end (is there really an end?) of your journey. Urges aren't really there anymore and relapses occur only out of curiosity, whereupon the fapstronaut will notice that he actually does not even want to relapse.

    My tip to prevent relapses here (even though you probably won't need it): Compare who you used to be with you are right now. That should kill the urges for good. If not, you have your own tactics.

    How to determine which stage you are in
    From reading the texts above, you may have already figured out in which stage you are. If not, don't worry. As I said earlier, these are purely hypothetical. It may happen that your journey is totally different from the stages. Also, it really depends on the person concerning when each stage sets in. If you're doing NoFap for fun, you might be in stage 3 after a week, if you're doing NoFap because you have serious problems, it might take you double the time to reach stage 3 than originally stated.








    Source: Stages of NoFap
     
  12. I too am experienced with NoFap (over one and a half years of trying).
    First year is hard but experience leads to changes in strategy which in turn, make NoFap easier.
     
    Reborn16 and (deleted member) like this.
  13. The last stage has to be really believing that wasting hours masturbating to porn is not as good as doing something else. It has to be seen clearly and believed to be harmful just like putting your hand on a hot stove would be.

    Telling yourself you shouldn't masturbate to porn, but not really believing it's true -- e.g. that a little "reward" might indeed be fun -- puts you at some earlier stage.
     
  14. Teejmaster

    Teejmaster Fapstronaut

    38
    30
    18
    Day 20 today and there's no reason for me to fap again for awhile. So thankful I found this site. Fuck porn and mastubation
     
    Deleted Account likes this.
  15. Donaldo123

    Donaldo123 New Fapstronaut

    1
    0
    1
    Thank you very informative . on day 18 of nofap. I'm a newbie .so I want to know what's ahead of me
     

Share This Page