stepbystep
Active Member
Coming back to report that I struggled today as well and spent a lot of time on social media (instagram and tiktok), resulting in watching triggering stuff. I'm not proud of it but I did stop myself and did not watch porn. My mind was in a blur, I was very vulnerable and considered seriously accessing porn. Fortunately, I reached out to my sponsor / accountability partner immediately and that helped reduce the urges.
Why am I having these urges? What are the underlying causes? I'm not entirely sure, but here are some of my thoughts:
1. This didn't happen overnight, and I've been slowly accessing more triggering material through social media in the last month.
2. My work has become more stressful in the past month. Fantasizing and using social media has been a way for me cope and get my mind off the stress.
3. I've stopped working my recovery. I used to do something daily and that hasn't happened recently. Plus, I've stopped chatting with my sponsor / accountability partner often.
4. I've been "okay" with middle circling such as fantasy and triggering stuff on social media, but I think this has happened slowly over time as I've spent more time doing so and accessing more triggering things.
What am I going to do about it?
1. Obviously, cut down social media. I'm going to add some restrictions on my phone for instagram and have it password enforced. And, avoid social media on the computer while working, when I'm most vulnerable. Instead, when stressed, I'll get up and go for short walk.
2. Find healthy ways to cope with my stress. Do more exercise and more deep breathing during the day.
3. Do 10-15 mins of daily recovery work. Chat with my sponsor/accountability partner daily.
4. Observe my social media use. Track how much time I'm spending and how often.
Why am I having these urges? What are the underlying causes? I'm not entirely sure, but here are some of my thoughts:
1. This didn't happen overnight, and I've been slowly accessing more triggering material through social media in the last month.
2. My work has become more stressful in the past month. Fantasizing and using social media has been a way for me cope and get my mind off the stress.
3. I've stopped working my recovery. I used to do something daily and that hasn't happened recently. Plus, I've stopped chatting with my sponsor / accountability partner often.
4. I've been "okay" with middle circling such as fantasy and triggering stuff on social media, but I think this has happened slowly over time as I've spent more time doing so and accessing more triggering things.
What am I going to do about it?
1. Obviously, cut down social media. I'm going to add some restrictions on my phone for instagram and have it password enforced. And, avoid social media on the computer while working, when I'm most vulnerable. Instead, when stressed, I'll get up and go for short walk.
2. Find healthy ways to cope with my stress. Do more exercise and more deep breathing during the day.
3. Do 10-15 mins of daily recovery work. Chat with my sponsor/accountability partner daily.
4. Observe my social media use. Track how much time I'm spending and how often.