Good Morning Fellow Fapstronauts! Really grateful for this community, and looking forward to being an active contributor. As a brief introduction, here are the challenges I'm currently facing, events on the horizon, and perspectives I'm holding. If you can relate, or have gone through any of 'em, please let me know. I'd appreciate the encouragement. Here we go, list form for easy reading: I'm in my mid-30's, and have been addicted to PMO since I was first exposed to it around the age of 11. I'd say my longest streak in that time without PMO was 12 days. I'm recently married (not even to our 1 year mark) to an amazing woman, who in her love for me asked if this was something I struggled with. I confessed, and wish that alone was enough to break the chains. It wasn't. Gratefully, I have her full love, prayer, and support. We're expecting our first child in a couple months. A son. I'm overjoyed, and do not want him to be in a world where his father can't control his sexual desires. I've got work to do. I'm also in the midst of changing vocations and locations. As many of you know, some of the most stressful times in life are A) moving B) changing jobs and C) having a child. I won't lament my fate, as all three bring about their own happiness as well, and rather choose to see this as it's own unique "hard mode". I've yet to be consistent in setting goals, quantifying the quantifiable, and consistently tracking them in life. This includes budgeting of time, money, exercise, etc. On this journey I plan on undertaking several "experiments", why I call them experiments, and will share my results with you. I would not be surprised if many of these have been attempted, in which case I will add data-points to the pile. Lastly, and foundationally, I am a Christian. I share this in no way to limit any feedback you feel compelled to share. Quite the opposite. I've learned that being open, listening, and seeking wisdom through the source is crucial. Just as untested faith is no faith at all. That said, I would also appreciate encouragement in that light; hold me to that standard, even if you don't ascribe to the same belief. As for my goals, I'll be attempting a reboot without any porn or masturbation, and have agreed with my wife that the only source of the big "O" will be with her. 60 days is the targeted timeframe (a line in the sand for reflection, adjustment, and sharing results), the hope is change that lasts a lifetime (no P or M, ever again). Thanks for reading.
Welcome! I'm glad you're here. I'm a Christian too, as are a lot of us here. And many here are married, although I am not. So you will find a lot of people with very similar experiences and goals. Let me (and others) know what we can do to help.
First step do not view porn. Second step do not touch penis, no edging without porn, no strokes to exercise it. These are crucial steps and have helped me and will continue to help. Also I do not entertain sexual thoughts when I see something that could potentially lead my mind in that direction.
Welcome brother. I am a follower of Christ and struggling with my sin ion this area too. Let's show the Lord we love Him by keeping his Commandments! Lust is a major problem, let's work on it together.
Thanks Rein and Protagoras. Thus far, the no-touching part is fairly simple. The mental part is significantly harder. I think that's where a couple things I'm going to try to help aid in the reboot will come into play. Meditation, fasting, and prayer. Meditation and prayer are daily, and I'm looking into a full, water-only fast. From my research, it looks like 4 days is the minimum sweet-spot to have the body flip switches into healing and conservation of energy mode.
