Newbie Fapstronaut, an introduction

Hello everyone, my name is Gabe, I am 21 and I just started using the site yesterday. I stopped watching porn and masturbating about 9 days ago. There isn't really a dramatic reason for why I stopped but I have noticed that such habits where interfering with certain aspects in my life. That isn't to say that they haven't before. Now it only seems like it's getting to be a bit too much, if that makes any sense.

I've been exposed to porn and masturbation since I was about 12 or 13. It started around the time I started having sex ed in a personal and social development class. Like many kids, it stared out of curiosity. I never really talked about this to anyone except for my best friend, as he had issues with this as well. I remember myself being quite knowledgeable about biology and sexual health at that age and so my friend and I have had many conversations surrounding these topics. Eventually he went into the sciences while I took a more artistic route, but I still find these topics fascinating.

I would also like to say that I am a Roman Catholic Christian and a firm believer, so there was always a conflict with porn and masturbation. There were times where spiritual directors also weren't on the same page on the topics, but I eventually arrived to the conclusion that both are morally wrong. This is simply my opinion and I am not here to impose mine on anybody. Still I kept falling to both, on and off for the past 8 years. Yes, I go to confession because I do feel guilty and in the wrong when I commit sin. I find that confession helps in moving forward.

I joined because of some videos I came across on YouTube that expressed how great the site is and the benefits they started reaping from abandoning terrible habits.

Any tips and experiences are welcome. I also like a good challenge.