How to reboot correctly?

jest · Mar 8, 2017

Day 23 hard mode here, with dare I say "minimal effort", I've gone on streaks way before finding out about NoFap but most didn't last more than a month. There have been a few urges but nothing I couldn't handle so far.
I'm wondering though, how can I be sure that this process is working? Quitting P is easier than quitting M for sure, fantasising and HOCD compulsions are what sneak up on me more often, I usually suppress them asap. I've also changed my lifestyle slightly by reducing time spent on the computer and exercising once a week (haven't worked out in years so it's tough to do it more than on a weekly basis).

How many changes are necessary to start seeing results? Is simply abstaining enough? Are there reports of people who never managed to reboot even after abstaining for years? Oh yeah and what about flatlining, how does that work exactly?

stygian · Mar 8, 2017

jest said: ↑

Day 23 hard mode here, with dare I say "minimal effort", I've gone on streaks way before finding out about NoFap but most didn't last more than a month. There have been a few urges but nothing I couldn't handle so far.
I'm wondering though, how can I be sure that this process is working? Quitting P is easier than quitting M for sure, fantasising and HOCD compulsions are what sneak up on me more often, I usually suppress them asap. I've also changed my lifestyle slightly by reducing time spent on the computer and exercising once a week (haven't worked out in years so it's tough to do it more than on a weekly basis).
Click to expand...

You've already given a lot of evidence that the process is working -
1. "most didn't last more than a month." You are still in the process of giving it up. Most will see some benefits within 3 months. You have not gotten there yet. The fact that most didn't last more than a month indicates that you could be addicted, because if you were not then you should be able to go for much longer.
2. "fantasising and HOCD compulsions are what sneak up on me more often, I usually suppress them asap" - again, you are not free yet. If they are coming up and you have to suppress them asap, then you need to be very careful, because suppression/repression is not very effective at solving the problem, and if that is all you are doing, the urges can return, and stronger. You want to try to let them go, and to find out the underlying cause. What are you missing in your life that causes you to want to M?

It might be more effective to exercise a small amount (even tiny amount) daily, and then build it up.

Are there reports of people who never managed to reboot even after abstaining for years?
Click to expand...

No. What happens is that ppl will look at P, and say, "well, it's not really P, I was stressed out and needed to look at something,", or "yes, I did something but it doesn't really count as M.." They rationale and redefine what they wanted to give up. You have to define what it is you are giving up. You've mentioned hard mode. It's pretty clear what that is, but when you start to redefine what it's supposed to mean later and engage in it, then you haven't given it up or allowed the rebooting to happen.

jest · Mar 9, 2017

When I attempted to stop I wasn't aware of the benefits of doing so, I had done no research at all, when I suddenly noticed that it was getting more difficult to watch the "normal" P that's when HOCD showed up which was a red flag. I still struggled with it for a while until I found NoFap.

I'm aiming for 3 months but the real goal is for life. Yeah I'm aware suppression is bad but I'm not exactly sure what to do since if a fantasy pops up in my head then I'm technically breaking the rules of the reboot which means I'd have to reset, but they're not enjoyable fantasies. Quite confusing still. My life has always been quite stressful which is most likely what causes excessive M.
Thanks for your reply.

Log in

How to reboot correctly?

jest Fapstronaut

stygian Fapstronaut

jest Fapstronaut

Share This Page