The Lord of the Rings Challenge

Day 438

 

Day 8 - Uruk-Hai, The Dark Tower Barad-Dûr

 

Day 431 no PMO. My wife went out of town yesterday and doesn’t get back until Sunday night. Last night, just to be safe, I went to bed at 9am and left my phone charging in another room. No issues so far! After my several successful hotel stays I should be fine but just want to be extra safe. I’m so close (relatively) to the end of this journey. Lately I’ve been wondering if I’m actually already healed. I know that an alcoholic is taught to say they are “in recovery” for life but I also know that changing the way you think about yourself is important. I wonder if we are supposed to think of ourselves as “healed” or forever working to “stay in recovery”. Thoughts?

 

Relapse is not an option brother. Be strong and fight the urges.

 

I think complete healing will take much longer than 500 days. By complete healing I mean, zero cravings of porn and masturbation, zero objectification of women, etc. But in 500 days you will get a taste of this lifestyle. You will learn a way of life without PMO. Then once you have completed 500 days you can compare the PMO life to Non PMO life and decide which way to go. Completing 500 days without PMO does not guarantee a PMO free life. Risk of going back to square 1 is always there

 

Hi, new here. Struggled for a long time with PM on my own. Recently decided to commit to NoFap. I hope to join the fellowship

 

431 days that is just an insane progress bro - do that 500!!

 

Day 40 You try to pass through Caradhras but the PMO forces were strong there. You make a detour to the Dwarven Realm of Moria.

Feeling good, fasting is helping me a lot !

 

Day 6

 

This is excellent, can I join? Currently working through day 11.

 

This is the most difficult part. I wish you get out of this rut very fast. Sometimes the best thing is to not to care and then you'll get back to it. Seems counterproductive but I feel this is the only way for me.

 

Day 4!
low urges yestarday, worked out and trying to be out of social networks, keep strong my brothers!

 

End of day 17. Some urges in the evening, but managed well.

 

Day 15 complete

Now I am a Hobbit.

This challenge really is a good metaphor for PMO, because in the end, it really is we ourselves who must throw the PMO ring into the lava pit.

It is I, myself, who crave PMO and the feelings it gives me. 15 days is just the beginning, the journey actually starts now. Just two weeks clean is to get rid of the PMO mind haze. Actually throwing away the PMO ring is the real journey and the most serious part

 

115 days – Shadowfax, the chieftain of the race of the Mearas, the greatest horses of Middle Earth, comes to your aid. Shadowfax is capable of comprehending human speech and runs faster than the wind. Quest Aid – Shadowfax

Persevere, brother! It will be worth it.

I appreciate the question, and think you've got some good answers already. I believe that some degree of oscillation between effort and recovery, illness and wellness, pain and relief, injury and healing is happening normally in almost all people, in one area of our lives or another. Becoming "free" of PMO does not mean being fully "immune" from temptations, inclinations, or even the occasional strong urge, though I do believe that the more healed we are, the less these things will impact us. The freedom comes from knowing that you have the choice, the option, the power inside you to redirect your thoughts, feelings, and actions away from PMO. The freedom of being healed from any addiction has less to do with how you describe that state and more to do with your level of responsibility--in the sense of honest accountability to yourself and others, as well as the sense of feeling response-ABLE with the power to choose your reaction to unwanted inner and outer stimuli. So perhaps there is a balance of both acknowledging how much healing you have received, while still being humble enough to know that you must always maintain responsible remission of your past addictions. It is grateful humility, what Christians might call Patience and eastern sages might call Presence, with a healthy dose of faith, hope, and love. That's what I believe anyway. Keep making wise decisions and press forward steadfastly towards your goals, you are inspiring all of us.

 

day 19

hello Fellowship. I hope you're all having a good Friday. last night was a nightmare, literally and figuratively. the urges were ridiculous. I spent an extra minute (or several) looking at pictures of a woman in a dress and in a bikini in a scenic location. thank God I didn't act on it. I don't want to reset my counter. I just feel bad that I entertained the demon longer than I should have; I should've shut the whole demon down promptly. maybe I'm expecting too much of myself in only 19 days.

maybe this is also a reflection of deep desires in my mind, that I want a meaningful relationship with a woman. I'm single, I'm about to graduate from medical school and have a job, I'm a grown adult man, I see my peers tying the knot, I'm a hopeless romantic... so in due time, I think I shall reenter the dating scene.

sorry for the rambling. I pray you all have a great weekend. God is with us.