This seems like the logical place to post this, although it isn't actually a personal success story so it will probably be moved. I'm just wondering, when doing NoFap, is there an end? Is there a time when you no longer think about NoFap and PMO just isn't any part of your life? Or is this a life long thing, and now that we have committed to it we will have to fight PMO our whole lives? Now, it's kind of impossible to answer this, because anybody commenting on NoFap posts is obviously still fighting/getting involved in NoFap, but does anybody here know of anyone who managed to completely defeat PMO?
Hey, This is a great question. I strongly believe that this is a process that only you will be able to assess properly, considering your circumstances and tendencies. I do believe in a life out of PMO that feels like not remembering a scrape on my knee from age 5 for the rest of my life. I trust this is possible. However, I also see a need for me to restrict certain freedoms in order to protect this. An ex alcoholic may feel completely fine drinking after being recovered. But most will probably try to stay away from it as much as they can, even if it won't tip their ship. Why? Well, because it's better to lose some freedom in order to be free from bondage. Ex: For someone who didn't deal with PMO it may feel normal watching just about any movie. Yet I, actually, will like to not watch certain movies. Not because they're triggering but because I believe there will be an erosion of my resolve to oppose PMO that could start there. A certain movie with something mildly sexy may lead to something a little more suggestive, to more and more and more, then mild erotica > porn > MO again. I decide to put my fence a little back on my own territory. It ensures that it'll keep me safer and I still can enjoy life without that part of "freedom". I stopped counting days, but I've given up PMO for life. I don't feel attracted to it and don't want it anymore. I'm still here because I like to read and write from time to time. You can read on my own journey here: https://www.nofap.com/forum/index.php?threads/absolutely-free-after-60-days.112846/
Like you said, I'm still fighting so I don't actually know but I've read quite a few stories where guys will feel like they've "recovered" and then they either add masturbation back into their lives without porn, or by that time they will be in a relationship. So yes to answer your question there is and "end". I've also come across stories where guys no longer have thoughts about watching Porn, just like a non alcoholic doesn't think about drinking, will you forget that you had a porn problem? No. But that's a good thing. Edit- didn't realise the guy above also referenced an alcoholic lol. I was typing this post as he was posting it
I think that you can rather compare PMO addiction to a deep massive scar that never disappears. You can heal it, but you always remember it.
Fair enough, this makes sense. I'd love to reach the stage where I can safely say 'I've recovered'. I actually think I reached that stage with porn alone last year. I had just started properly watching porn at least 3-4 times a week, and I decided to quit. I managed to get to 6 weeks and I didn't even have any urges to watch porn, although I was still MO'ing a few times a week. I really felt like the porn stage was over, but I was wrong. I relapsed many times over Christmas. Anyway, thanks for replying
I don't think any of us will forget the problem, but I think just being able to say 'I'm not a porn addict' is where we want to be