My Introduction

Hey NoFap,

This is my first time here, and first time trying NoFap, at least seriously. Honestly, I used to think you bunch of guys were really weird and didn't get the whole thing. But that's changed pretty readily this past month or so.

But first, let me introduce myself. My name is Cody, I live in the United States, I'm 18 years old, and I've been watching porn since I was probably about 12 or 13. I'm sure you all know where this is going. Yes, I'm addicted to pornography. I never thought it was too big of a deal since all of my friends seemed to be in the same boat as me, especially in high school where conversations frequently turned to sex and porn. Everyone seems to have the same bad habit as me, and when you're literally surrounded on all sides by people who not only share, but encourage the thing destroying you, then what hope is there for you to quit?

I needed a wake up call, and I found one. Her name is Jill (I have changed her name for anonymity's sake), she's been my girlfriend for about a month and a half, and she's more or less how I realized that I have a problem. You see, Jill is what I would describe as "exceptionally horny." Any time we get alone and know we won't be bothered for a while, stuff's gonna go down. Sounds like a dream come true, right? Sex with a real girl as often as possible? Well, it would be, if not for one issue. One small, embarrassing issue.

I really hate to admit this, but I find it difficult to keep an erection with her. Without porn. It's what lead me to seek out this community, seek out help, and just in general become a better person. But that's not the only reason I'm here. Yes, I want to be able to have strong, long-lasting erections with my girlfriend, who wouldn't? But, in realizing, and finally admitting to myself that I am addicted to porn, I've realized that pornography addiction isn't just affecting me in my pants, but also in my head. My lack of motivation, my bouts of depression, my often gravitation towards reclusiveness have all been a part of my life since my mid-teens. Maybe pornography addiction isn't the only thing causing these things, and I don't expect quitting porn to be a cure-all for every single one of my life's issues; but I think it's a good place to start regaining control of my life, boosting my confidence, and just making me more productive in general. On top of that, it just feels terrible to realize that I'm addicted to something, especially something that it seems like nobody ever admits being addicted to.

So here's what I want to do. I want to quit porn. Forever. I never want myself to spiral out of control like I have been since I started watching it. I want my relationships and sexual experiences to mean something more than just getting myself off because I like to get myself off. It just seems so selfish and pointless when you look back at it.

If you've made it this far, thanks for reading. Feel free to post whatever you want in response to this, including advice, critique, or just well wishes on this new chapter in my life without porn. I have no idea how well this is gonna go since I've never attempted something like this; and honestly I'm almost not even sure where I'm going to start. But it's late, I need to sleep, and tomorrow holds great things on the horizon.

tl;dr Addicted to porn, boners ain't work, time to quit