Why Im finally going to make played it and my big secret to success.

Before I say anything else, I dunno how the typo in the thread title occurred! I just read it and feel a little dumb. Anyways...

So somehow I've managed to make it to day number 8. So far I've only been able to go three or four days at a time...and fell back into daily habits quite a few times.

This is the longest I've made it on my own (I had a two week streak last fall but I was at a class and didn't have private quarters while I was there).

I thought I'd share a few things that have really helped me out this go around, and why I think that this time I'm going the distance.

First is excercise and a healthier (mostly) diet. I'm not talking about becoming a gym rat. I work out every few days and eat moderately healthy. But I also indulge myself a bit too....don't spend three days looking at the ice cream in your fridge telling yourself no! Save your willpower for quitting PMO....dropping a bit of weight is a great goal too but stay focused on your primary.

The next thing I've been doing is keeping the big picture in mind. Urges and fantasies are constantly bombarding me especially in the evening. Expect this to happen a lot....and have a plan (I'll get into mine in a minute). If something pops into your head constantly repeat 'it's my addiction, it's not me'. You have to force yourself to believe that you want so much more...because when an urge hits you try to convince yourself that that is what you really want.

My big 'secret' to quitting is I revisited a much older obsession. I've always loved music, and now I'm playing it. I started playing the fiddle, and I'm obsessed with the damn thing. I found with some lessons I've become pretty good and am progressing rapidly. My instructor constantly tells me I need to stick with it because I'm naturally gifted.

If the urge to PMO hits, I'm finally in the habit of just picking up my instrument. It makes the desire disappear completely and I find myself practicing, often for hours at a time (my poor fingertips are literally cracking).

If I finally get bored with playing, I'll get on the Xbox and play video games for an hour before plugging in my headphones and listening to music for another three!

I found that by constantly keeping myself busy I can push away the urge to PMO much easier. If I find my mind wandering...I immediately change what I'm doing. (Listening to music, playing music, or Xbox are my choices). Have a few 'go-to' things to do for yourself and find a new (and healthy) obsession. Playing WOW for six hours is not healthy...go do something you really use to enjoy or even better something you've always wanted to do.

 

thanks man! I'm kicking ass so far.