Switch to easy mode after long streak?

I am probably not the best advisor as my current streak (18 days) is also my best-and it’s not even 10% of yours.
Still in my personal, a little controversial opinion monk mode is too hardcore in long term and depending on approach could potentially limit gaining your relationship experience and things like that.

I would kept to NoPMO and use additional energy and time towards some goals, possibly those a little in conflict with my understanding of monk mode.

 

It's a super slippery slope.

I've had a few streaks over the years. One big one that I documented on here, but a couple other shorter ones ones over the years. Whenever I've began justifying MO, porn has always followed very close behind. Sometimes not immediately... might take a few weeks of "clean" MO, but eventually I need to start fantasizing vividly to get off... then that's followed by getting off to photos of attractive girls... then scantly clad girls... Then clearly sexually suggestive photos/videos but maybe not all out "porn"... then, 'well, we've come this far, might as well just go all the way', and we're back in the cycle of full porn usage.

That was basically my November.

I'm not sure what the sweet spot is -- full monk-mode indefinitely does seem nigh unto impossible sometimes. But every time I give myself much slack in this area it ends up resulting in crashing and burning.

So, I definitely appreciate your question. If you find a solid answer, I'd love to hear it. But, I'm currently back on team Hard-Mode. When I get married, you can be sure there will be lots of sex -- so it won't be full hard-mode then. But in the mean-time, it does seem like fully clean is the way to go.

 

From my experience, what you're describing has not worked. Sure, maybe you can go for a while with just MO and no P but once desensitization sets in, the desire for "stronger stuff" tends to start creeping in. Before you know it, you're back in old habits again.

 

Start having sex. It's the best way to recover and simultaneously reduce urges. YBOP says it's necessary for recovery.

Do I have to have sex in order to rewire?

Will stopping porn solve my problems?

 

If you're not struggling with PIED, you might as well MO or have Sex!