When you look in the mirror, what do you see?

I see a person living a double life. On one life I seem to be a responsible, caring, righteous, loving husband. On the other life I am a careless, lustful, perverted, careless husband.

Needless to say, I see a constant battle inside of me for which life will dominate me. My brain leads me to the loving side, but my heart pushes me towards the lusting. This constant battle inside of me has left me dry, barren and wasted inside.

But, like you Iwant, I am working to end this battle once and for all. I've not won yet, neither have I completed the game plan, but my loving side is determined to stab, punch, and viciously murder my lustful side until it is no more. The lustful side is strong, but not invincible.

 

Whenever I see myself in the mirror, I see a grown-up version of myself that I don't recognize. It's as if sometimes I don't know myself. My innocence has been long lost; I now live with a shell, an empty shell that is me. Sometimes I get these depressive feelings, that I've never been able to quit pmo, and probably don't have the willpower to do it. Sometimes I get mad at myself for the lack of self-control, the lack of self-confidence. I feel I can do better, but my past isn't helping me.

 

A handsome gook!

 

A sexy looking teenager beating an addiction.

 

Cool question because self image and identity are (I think) an important part of how we get addicted and stay that way. I also see a guy in recovery. On the one hand I see wasted years but I also see a bright future. I see years ahead of faithfulness and integrity that I never expected to have since I have been living with a 35 year habit. So now with the help of this forum and by understanding brain functions (see yourbrainonporn)I really feel almost for the first time that it's realistic to think of longer term freedom. If I could restore my hairline and reduce my wasteline life would be perfect But seriously, I'd encourage you younger guys to look in the mirror and see the guy you are going to grow into and make sure he's all you want him to be. It is possible!

 

A little boy.

 

I saw a person with so much potential to be happy and succeed, yet stays in his room all day beating it off.

 

I can see a guy that could be anyone except me .....

 

I see a manly man with enough strength to be free from the prison he has build around him, 'cause the cell door is unlocked. I see a prisoner who is really excited to go out to the world for a brighter future, but is also scared and one side of him wants to stay laying in the safety and comfort of his old sell. I also see a constantly renewing intellectual who can be in the bottom, but can also shoot higher than the others.

I see a rebel who doubts everything that is self-evident to others. I see a invidual who has a stable balance between internal and external approval. I see a player who is able to change the game and not just play along with it.

I see evolution, I see growing, I see revolution, I see loving.
I see a warrior, I see a tender lover, I see a carrier, I see a hard cover.
I see agressiveness, I see peace, I see assertiveness, I see me.

I see a man who is always finding ways to be the strongest version on himself.

I will never accept failure as a part of my life.
I'm getting there no matter what... No matter what.

Talking 'bout mirrors: I fuckin' love this song!

 

I see somebody who can achieve a lot but has a hard way in front of him. I see somebody I love and whom I wont let down.

 

When I look in the mirror, I see a good-looking teenager, whose potential got ruined by PMO. But his circles under his eyes start to slowly fade, his skin starts to improve, and his eyes slowly start showing actual life instead of emptiness.

 

Someone whose time is slipping by fast

 

A grown man child that hasn't accepted his adult responsibilities and would rather run away from life than live it.

 

I see a person who can achieve anything.

 

I see a Guy that have the potential to become something more ultimate !

 

Hi,
I'm a virgin guy that does not view porn and has just a bit of an issue with masturbation which I don't want to take into my married life once I meet my wife. I want her to know that I don't have a problem with porn and that there is nothing to hide and all and to this end I am trying to end the occassional issue I have with masturbation.
I do not do it a lot, just sometimes, when I'm to weak to resist the temptation. When the pressures are just too built up and something sets me off, or when I'm not fully awake at night, I sometimes don't even think about what I'm doing and then I have gone too far.

When I looked in the mirror before I used to view myself as a masturbator.... or one that quit at times.

Now, when I look in the mirror I try to view myself as a Non-masturbator.

Though it's true that I may have an accident at times, but I'm still a non-masturbator, I mean, to remove masturbation from my life is my goal.

I may be practicing an imperfect expression of that goal. much like an athlete or a classic pianist but still, It is my ideal or what I'm trying to become.
To all you Non-Masturbators out there that have given up porn and a fantasy life to become better men for their wives, girlfriends or future spouse, i encourage you to give it your all for the next 24 hours....will you just try to do that, one day at a time and you will be successful!

Good luck in your quest.
Virginpaul

 

Thanks for this. I tend to always look into the past, but should remember to also look into the future. Where I'd like to be, and how I will get there.

 

I don't mean to ruin this thread but this is the first thing I thought of when I read the title.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Gqwi7Y96sk

 

I see a person sick of all the bullshit and wants to grasp his full potential as a person, a musician, a man, a boyfriend, and a son.