Struggled with PIED. Turned 40 in late June and realized I didn't want to proceed into my forties still doing this nonsense. Approaching the two month mark. Here's some things I've learned: 1. This process is the real deal. It works. 2. The first two weeks were the hardest. You just gotta push through. Like everyone else says, find distractions or build good habits for when you feel the urge. YouTube coaches like JK Emezi were a big help here. So was this forum. 3. The Flatline is real. Weeks 2-4 were a weird time. Considered "testing" but heard that was a bad idea. Keep your eyes on the prize. 4. Around the one-month mark, everything came roaring back to life. Super strong erections. MW almost every day. It was like I was in high school again. 5. My usual process was Lingering on a Sexual Thought-->Scrolling through "soft" images (lingerie, swimsuits)-->PMO. So, fight it at the source. Avoid entertaining sexual thoughts and remove/avoid triggering media. 6. I feel sad about all the time I wasted not doing this. Stay strong!
Way to go man! I hear you on the testing stage, that once happened to me and you somehow fool yourself into thinking you'll just "see" if porn doesn't bother you anymore, but that's a trick and sets you up to fail. The urges are so hard to deal with, and I've only managed around a couple weeks or so last year but they hit so hard.
Well done my friend this process actually works we are all in this together. Around 40 days in and I’ve been seeing improvements myself so I’m sure this process is the real deal just like you mentioned!
Quick follow-up. I'm now almost five months in. It's so wonderful that the constant gnawing I used to feel all the time is now so faint and distant. I have fleeting cravings for PMO, but they're easily controlled now -- largely because my life is so full of other things (hobbies, books, work, exercise, being with my wife, etc.). I do still occasionally MO, though even that is rare and the associated fantasies are much more, well, healthy and normal. And that's it...it's feels so good to feel healthy and normal. My sex life with my wife is great. I think she can sense a difference in me (calm, more confident) and seems to want to be intimate a lot more lately -- and fortunately, I've been able (and eager) to accommodate her. Anyway, just wanted to give some encouragement to those of y'all that are still fighting on. Stay strong.
Brilliant motivation man! A very different age to you but so great to hear that the process works and the benefits keep on growing! I'm heading towards a month and a half and it just sounds better and better from here on out!
Pleased for you! I’m 33 and had it way too long. Ruined so many potential relationships. My morning wood is slowly coming back after being non existent for a lot of years. Day 36 and hoping I can beat this!
Great job man! I'm turning 40 next month and have been PMO since I was 12, before online porn. I am currently losing my wife due to it again. First time was 11 years ago when she found a log of my online activity and then just recently due to PIED, mainly performance anxiety. She has been extremely supportive even though I have made her suffer so bad throughout these years. Went to a therapist recently to help with my performance anxiety and they suggested nofap. That's how I found out about the site, but its kinda too late for my relationship I think. But im thinking just like you, I don't want to enter my 40s like this. Currently on day 7 of no PMO. Hasn't been that hard actually as I constantly think of all the damage it has caused my wife and even my kids. I really really love my wife and losing her is killing me.. This is also motivating me into nofap. Hope I can stay strong and continue changing. Your post was a great motivator being that were the same age. Thanks for posting it. Good luck and thanks.
Stay strong man. I'm so sorry to hear about what's happening to you right now. Good luck and remember, you're never too old to change your life