Definitely!
I appreciate the clarification, brother…
I appreciate the clarification, brother…
Great job noticing the trigger and shutting it down - definitely something I need to work on myselfLast night, while on my on-day for social media, I did see a TikTok video come up in my feed that was of a woman-user tailor made for me, as it were- at least her appearance fit my 'tastes'. And it was really difficult, a reminder that it would be all too easy to fall if I approach this mindlessly or according to old habits. I clicked away, refreshed the page so I wouldn't be able to so easily find my way back to it. And I could almost hear my beast-brain screaming, "Are you insane!? That was the pefect woman!! You could watch that incessantly, follow the user, have her come up in your feeds...!" And indeed, I checked my pulse and was surprised that it was elevated, that I had been cued (triggered). I did what I know to do, took some deep breaths as I laid on the couch watching non-related T.V. shows. The urges passed.
Great job noticing the trigger and shutting it down - definitely something I need to work on myself
Thank you for another insightful post as always
Very insightful as always @Phineas 808. Thank you for the considered responseThe reason I don't use the word 'trigger' and prefer cue is that trigger seems to almost take the option of a different response out of our hand. Whereas when we're cued, our response (or preferably, non-response) is always in our power- no matter how addicted we are.
Phineas, 1 month is good progress so far, man!
Phineas great job and thanks for posting. Really appreciate your insights. I haven't posted in awhile and plan on updating my journal. Have a great weekend brother!
Social media is a bad neighborhood for porn addicts like us, I don't spend any time on neither Facebook, Tik Tok, Instagram, Twitter but I consume a lot of Youtube and there are many porn subs on Youtube too...
Definitely. That's what we're looking for.Thank you, Escape! I think it's important to have two final outcomes from our recovery/reboot:
1. To no longer have to identify as a 'porn addict', but to know that this is no longer who or 'what' we are. We're free from our addictions and habits, have found new and healthy coping skills, and have no intention of ever going back- and nor do we have to!
2. To know how to operate in the world, with all its temptations and potential pitfalls, but without constantly looking over our shoulder as if we're inherently flawed and could in no wise be trusted ever again. To be a man in control of himself, that we can interact in our business, our work, our public and private lives, entertainment, social media (if that's one's thing), or any other medium, and be in control- even when interacting with drop-dead gorgeous women, without an ounce of selfish lust, predatory behavior, disrespect, fully in control of oneself.
Of course this new person we're becoming is not stupid, does not put himself in harm's way, knows what could trip him up, and just naturally avoids high-risk situations. But it's not because we're so fragile and weak, but because we have a new hunger and thirst for what's healthy for us. Our inner tastes will have changed to where we now treat porn like we would 'blacktar heroin', we'd never touch the stuff!
Thank you for another insightful post - some hard truths in there but I think your proactive approach is very helpful for the community
Great job hitting over a month with zero episodes too!
Great post and very insightful. This struggle/addiction is an interesting one. Thanks for your openness and also guiding and leading others through your journey. GOD bless you brother!
It's amazing to see you grow as a person and as a future ex-addict. You're doing excellent. Thanks for the insightfullposts. Here and on other threads