A journal

Winnerwhoabstains

Active Member
Absolutely! It is very important for me to post daily.

I mo'd last night to fantasy.... habis got weak during my time of not posting much. I committed though to doing a short walk tonight - which I think will break the urge/ habit. It is going to be really short as it is cold, but my plan was to do the walk when an urge hit like planning that the urge WILL hit. So I decided to exit my apartment briefly no matter what.

So now, I'll go walk for probably under a minute ( going to be cold during it) then go to bed and read some nice fiction.
 

Winnerwhoabstains

Active Member
Hey - so not lots of time today but want to at least keep the quick posts going - thanks for the suggestion!

Today went pretty well. I was not super productive early in the day but - I can give myself credit for working out. I mean, I would have liked to do more but I did a yoga class, a warm up of cardio then some good trap bar deadlifting. Feels good to celebrate it - I did some higher rep sets and lower rep too. So it was a nice mix.
I like the trap bar deadlift feels alright on my back - but I get to do a really big compound movement - it’s like I could feel my muscles growing and testosterone rising.
Thinking now, I’d like to progress on it. I can progress in the 15 rep and 8 rep range. Thinking I bet I could add like 20 lbs easy to my sets of 8 in a few weeks and that’d be dang cool.
Something to look forward to.

I went out to meet girls. I met a girl and we hung out for like an hour or more. I felt I may have made an error at the end. Then I briefly hung out with a girl in the way home.
But when I check my texts I had no new ones and immediately felt anxious……

that is a habit though. At the end of the day - my goal was to get 3 solid number by next tuesday ( numbers where the girl texts me back) - one I say already qualifies the girl took my number and texted me on the spot.
The other not sure yet. But overall - let me give myself credit.

now I am working in a video. I realize this video stuff could possibly bring in like idk a few weeks of grocery money pretty soon ( REALLY depends how much they pay) but realizing like man, let me go for it.
I keep talking the talk and not walking the walk though. So let me just put it some time working in a video now
 

Winnerwhoabstains

Active Member
Quick check in - well still abstaining. Didn't follow everything I planned today - but I had a nice workout and really nice vacation day.

I went out with some people for an outing and to eat and I am really glad I did. I really enjoy stuff like that and want to do more fun social things. So I am glad I did. I worked a bit on the train and sort of gave myself an excuse to skip getting work done this evening..... not the best thing but at least I did work, got some done.

Sigh - you know what - I think I will post my video that I have totally done - to my new channel..... why not. Been putting it off and that would be another task to take - like at least take small steps to move myself forward constantly
 

Daybyday1988

Active Member
I mo'd last night to fantasy.... habis got weak during my time of not posting much.

ive been there man, its hard to do but try your absolute best not to MO at all. it just reactivates all the old BS pathways you are trying to weaken.

I went out to meet girls. I met a girl and we hung out for like an hour or more. I felt I may have made an error at the end. Then I briefly hung out with a girl in the way home.
But when I check my texts I had no new ones and immediately felt anxious……

man, modern dating is pretty awful, isnt it? super glad i found my nice Christian wife and we had our son. it truly is terrible out there. Before i became a Christian i dated just like everyone else, with apps or meeting at bars etc. the girls more often than not flaked or would come out once then would move on and find someone else and it turned into a complete merry-go-round. I ended up reading a book that helped with picking up girls, but gave all that up after finding my faith, although it was helpful. basically the premise of the book was being emotionally stimulating through techniques such as "push-pull" or "hot-cold". interesting concept.
 

Winnerwhoabstains

Active Member
ive been there man, its hard to do but try your absolute best not to MO at all. it just reactivates all the old BS pathways you are trying to weaken.



man, modern dating is pretty awful, isnt it? super glad i found my nice Christian wife and we had our son. it truly is terrible out there. Before i became a Christian i dated just like everyone else, with apps or meeting at bars etc. the girls more often than not flaked or would come out once then would move on and find someone else and it turned into a complete merry-go-round. I ended up reading a book that helped with picking up girls, but gave all that up after finding my faith, although it was helpful. basically the premise of the book was being emotionally stimulating through techniques such as "push-pull" or "hot-cold". interesting concept.
Thanks man - you are soo on the money about avoiding MO - and I have thought that, maybe for the future that settling down with a religious woman is the way to go. I don't think I am ready but if I did settle down yeah no way I'd do it with one of these typical women - it'd be a nightmare.
 

Winnerwhoabstains

Active Member
So - I have continued to abstain which is good.


I posted the video to my second channel - I thought it would do amazing it did poorly by my current standards. I felt a bit discouraged and thrown off. A bit off a lesson there I think - don't build ONE thing up to much, as that'll lead to up and down. I'll journal about it.
 

Daybyday1988

Active Member
you are soo on the money about avoiding MO

thanks. one last thing i would add about MO is the vast majority of the time as an addict, you are just fantasizing about porn while doing it anyway. The late great gary wilson said on his website "the difference between your brain and a screen is the mouse".
 

Androg

Administrator
Admin
Moderator
thanks. one last thing i would add about MO is the vast majority of the time as an addict, you are just fantasizing about porn while doing it anyway. The late great gary wilson said on his website "the difference between your brain and a screen is the mouse".
Thanks for raising this. Just to clarify, Wilson actually said this on this FAQ page: https://www.yourbrainonporn.com/rebooting-porn-use-faqs/what-about-fantasizing-during-a-reboot/. As you may have realized, he was not talking about masturbation, but rather porn-fantasy. In fact, on that page Gary suggested that masturbating while thinking of real potential partners in realistic non-porn situations might be helpful.
 

Winnerwhoabstains

Active Member
Thanks for raising this. Just to clarify, Wilson actually said this on this FAQ page: https://www.yourbrainonporn.com/rebooting-porn-use-faqs/what-about-fantasizing-during-a-reboot/. As you may have realized, he was not talking about masturbation, but rather porn-fantasy. In fact, on that page Gary suggested that masturbating while thinking of real potential partners in realistic non-porn situations might be helpful.
Good to know - I have found masturbating while thinking about non real partners absolutely leads me down the rabbit hole and is a big problem. I have so much evidence of it. But good to be reminded of the issue of fantasy as that also is a problem.
 

Winnerwhoabstains

Active Member
Hey guys, not been feeling good today. IDK - it's weird.

But, taking it fairly easy. There is a yoga class I can go to this evening - all sorts of stuff in my mind like meh I don't want to travel etc. but when I have skipped things like that it has gone poorly. I am also physically tight - so I think it really could be the perfect thing. So I am eating .....

I stopped mid sentence and BOOKED the class - feels a lot better to be decided and not have a choice.

So yoga at 6 pm. Going to eat and aim to meditate then go - I have about 30 min before I ought to leave
 

Daybyday1988

Active Member
As you may have realized, he was not talking about masturbation, but rather porn-fantasy. In fact, on that page Gary suggested that masturbating while thinking of real potential partners in realistic non-porn situations might be helpful.

yes, im aware of the fact that masturbation alone is not necessarily the issue, provided you can stare at the wall or ceiling and just enjoy the feeling, (a rarity indeed I would say). The problem is the fact that it is very difficult for an addict to disconnect porn fantasy from masturbation, and even if you are fantasizing about real people, what does that entail? where does that cross the line from real to fantasy? The answer I would wager is it is very difficult to tell. For example:

You work with a woman, lets call her Becky, and you find her attractive. You are swearing off porn but are still going to masturbate so you decide to fantasize about having sex with her. In that fantasy Becky is doing all kinds of things you find stimulating, many of which mirror what you have watched in porn that you now feel are a part of your normal desire (many acts that i wont name in order to avoid triggering someone reading this to use). Just because your fantasy now has a recognizable face, that of Becky, does that make it less pornographic in nature? See my point?

As an addict going on 5 months clean for the first time in my adult life, I feel it would be beneficial if we stop giving caveat's that derail true recovery and just take a firm stance. Why don't we just tell people that to be on the safe side, avoid all masturbation including to real people because it may harm recovery? I myself fell into this caveat years ago and tried just masturbating thinking it was totally fine as long as I didn't use porn or substitutes. Utterly useless and ruined my recovery, as I still couldn't get very hard to a woman or even feel much attraction at all. I would also wager to say if you give an addict a caveat, he is going to take advantage of that. It's just how the addicted brain works.

I think we poo-poo unhealthy behaviors and thought patterns with this addiction because the addiction itself doesn't directly lead to death. If this were an alcohol addiction, we would never say to a recovering addict: sure you can go lay in bed and think about drinking, or go hang out with others you used to drink with, or go to places where people are drinking. Instead we would tell them to isolate, get new friends, or better yet join the military or go to a treatment facility on the other side of the country.

If you are an adult man depositing your seed into napkins by yourself in your bedroom, I might respectfully suggest finding something more productive or interesting things to do. I remember Gabe in his videos saying that he focused his time during recovery more productively, and improved himself professionally. Occupying his time with things like learning how to play the piano, reading books, getting his personal trainer certification etc. I suggest doing the same. There are so many interesting things in the world to learn that will fulfill you so much more than masturbation! Save all of your orgasms for your spouse, it will make intimacy better and healthier.
 

Winnerwhoabstains

Active Member
Hey guys good day today. DISCIPLINE is key and something I am focusing on building. I did the most important thing early in the day and worked on videos and wow it takes such a load off - I 'd actually like to work on it more!

I ate no carbs the last 3 days and my focus is better - though I did have a strong head ache earlier - though the weather could have contributed. Feels nice to be proud of some of what I accomplished today.

Tomorrow I am seeing friends for some healthy physical activity - but I'd like to do some work first.

Also let me celebrate - my youtube channel is finally fully approved and monetized!!! Kind of cool that the next video I post could actually earn me money
 

Winnerwhoabstains

Active Member
Congrats on getting your YouTube channel up and monetized. Sorry if you mentioned before but what will the content be focused on?
Thanks!!! Well - it's complicated haha. It is kind of like gossip honestly. Mixed with analyzing situations and personalities. It was not the plan but I read about going with it, even if you don't expect it in a youtube book. So my viewers are older women - I am aiming to treat it as a business, I am really excited though. Kind of fun to focus on making the project work and doing what needs to be done, sort of serving the seed of what I am aiming to build into my first successful business.
 

Winnerwhoabstains

Active Member
I had a good day today. Discipline is the key - pushing through little resistance. Once I push through and get work done I feel very good after - and I am learning I can actually really enjoy focused work!


I ate keto the last three days, then today makes four. The plan was to do keto for 3 days, as to not crash. But my focus feels very good - so I am extending another two days. Basically playing it by ear - I am also counting calories. Keto or not - I will control calories and carbs ( works well for me to learn out) and I'd love to finally get in shape - I have had an extra 10 - 12 lbs of fat for over a year now! - Now it is down to I think 6-9or so, looking forward to getting in good shape. I remember being legitimately lean - and it was awesome!

I am not talking like shreded, but it was cool, I had a totally flat stomach and a bit of definition in my arms and chest - a very maintainable level of fitness. Nothing too extreme - it just takes resonable discipline and portions. Looking forward to it. Felt good then and it's a great confidence boost.

As mentioned - I have been a lot more focused and it is really nice, in the past I resisted productive things but nice to realize aside from getting things done - being in flow and working can be really enjoyable and even relaxing. Plus doing what I have set out to do calms me and makes me feel more confident. So I'd like to continue with this
 

Winnerwhoabstains

Active Member
Hey guys, so last night was good. I fell asleep with a lamp on but I still slept fairly well.

I had some dreams about women - but they felt like healthy rewired type dreams - though I ought to be careful and not let that lead to too much fantasy which can trigger porn fantasy which is of course very bad.

But to me it felt like the right track, dreaming of interacting with women, and no porn influence.

I have two roomates, it's not like idk friends or people I know and we are totally different demographic. One is an older lady who I do not like and has a bad vibe. I thought she'd be out and was really excited to be alone to work on my projects and I notice just hearing her around I feel a bit anxious.


Hmmm - I am frustrated though a bit because mentally I was feeling like my whole day would be thrown off.

Well - let me think simply:

I prefer working in the living room and have really enjoyed it the last few days.

I do feel a bit awkward if she can hear some of my work

BUT - I want to focus on what I can and can not control.

She is here, and I can't control what she does.

BUT - I do have a really nice large room - it won't have as much sun as the living room - but I have a really bright ring light and can turn that on. And perhaps work in my room. Or maybe mix it up a bit and listen to music while in the living room.


Hmm - I even think to myself now - it is a bit damp out but I could even go work in a park. Lot of options.


So - a slow ish start to this morning so far, but I'll have some tea and then aim to get started on the day in a bit.

I feel a bit of that desire to lose myself feeling - so maybe I will allow myself to read some fiction and things like that, as that'd be nice mentally I believe.

There are things I want to do, and generally I want to work first but I can indulge myself in HEALTHY ways a bit also.
 

TypeN

Active Member
Hey guys, so last night was good. I fell asleep with a lamp on but I still slept fairly well.

I had some dreams about women - but they felt like healthy rewired type dreams - though I ought to be careful and not let that lead to too much fantasy which can trigger porn fantasy which is of course very bad.

But to me it felt like the right track, dreaming of interacting with women, and no porn influence.

I have two roomates, it's not like idk friends or people I know and we are totally different demographic. One is an older lady who I do not like and has a bad vibe. I thought she'd be out and was really excited to be alone to work on my projects and I notice just hearing her around I feel a bit anxious.


Hmmm - I am frustrated though a bit because mentally I was feeling like my whole day would be thrown off.

Well - let me think simply:

I prefer working in the living room and have really enjoyed it the last few days.

I do feel a bit awkward if she can hear some of my work

BUT - I want to focus on what I can and can not control.

She is here, and I can't control what she does.

BUT - I do have a really nice large room - it won't have as much sun as the living room - but I have a really bright ring light and can turn that on. And perhaps work in my room. Or maybe mix it up a bit and listen to music while in the living room.


Hmm - I even think to myself now - it is a bit damp out but I could even go work in a park. Lot of options.


So - a slow ish start to this morning so far, but I'll have some tea and then aim to get started on the day in a bit.

I feel a bit of that desire to lose myself feeling - so maybe I will allow myself to read some fiction and things like that, as that'd be nice mentally I believe.

There are things I want to do, and generally I want to work first but I can indulge myself in HEALTHY ways a bit also.

It's nice that you're making space for yourself like this. Whatever you decided, you have the right to use the space you pay rent for to get things done.

Good that you're working on balancing work/play too. (y)
 
Top