Today I am the proud owner of no porn

[mr.slurps]

Hiya Real,  This is really cool.  Totally coincidentally I was listening to Tedtalk re biking. It is an amazingly good activity/habit from many angles.
One thing they suggest is anywhere under 2-3 miles, bike rather than drive.
It sounds like you are embarking on a grand adventure.  Maybe having extra fuel/time from quitting porn will ignite you in ways unfathomed. 
Keep us posted on your journeys.  They are exciting.

 

[joepanic]

Hey Real 

    I have followed your journal for the last few weeks and  thihnk I might have some insute for you(im 156 days clean after a 35 year long addiction)  Will you ever be able to view a photo of a naked woman again?  its hard to say  I have seen a few  over the last few months and they were just that to me  a photo  They gave me no triggers or urges  I didnt go activly looking for it  but you come across this stuff  everyday now  In the beginning  I did everything possible to  avoid the chance  It was no different  while on vacation at a resort and there were hubndreds of ladies in bikinis etc    I have found after 5 months my brain just  works differently now  I dont see the point in looking at it  I wont call it a monster or anything like that because that gave it more strength  than it deserved  Rather I built up my own strength  to allow me to  not need it and to take on more worthy challenges.  Challenges that made me feel like a man

  I  too have also  set goals of increasing intensity  with my workout and found that really helped    so definatly stay on that course  I am assuming you used to really be an avid cyclist  and want to go back to that    A most worthy goal for sure  and each time you ride a little longer  that is a small victory  many small victories build you into a  stronger man

  11 days is a really strong start  and there are guys rooting for you  do not be afraid to  crash  your not going to be letting anyone down  no one  wins this battle on the 1st round  Each time it happens make sure you reflect on it and  what you learned about yourself  I am 156 days clean  it look me over 800 days to get here  I had streaks of  90s days before and relapsed  but each time I was learning more and more  and now  I have found victory

    Cheers

    Post often it helps me it helps you

 

[Andrew1973]

That's a really reassuring 'light at the end of the tunnel' post Joe. Thanks for sharing.
Good luck with the bike Real - sounds like a good plan.

 

[mr.slurps]

Hey guys,,  I cut and pasted this . Joe could we have a party for your 1/2 year when you make it?

While we are here let's try to make each other's lives much better/happier.
So I'm inviting you guys to throw me a "party" on Sunday  May 17, for my #10 clean day. All invited!
Seeing this is virtual you all can give me an asterisk or a dollar sign and imoji or whatever floats your boat. Leave a present on my journal.
If this works/is fun, everyone can set their own milestone/party.  I'll bring something expensive like an equal sign. hahaha

 

[realfakeusername]

Day 17 and staying strong and clean. I haven't sat down much this week. I've added a couple of projects and I'm enjoying staying busy. Not that I am diminishing the importance of checking in and the community here. I feel kind of selfish that I don't have time to track all the journals. I will make time soon. Looking forward to a successful 3 week milestone this weekend. One small step for a porn-free life.


Reboot
Did I use porn today? NO
What were my triggers? some fantasies creeping in, but shut down
How did I soothe my anxiety or stress? walking, meditation, BIKING, repairing furniture, rearranged my rooms, selling/donating stuff I don't need
What am I grateful for today? feeling motivated to be active. It's been a long time that I have been this active
Day counter! 17

 

[realfakeusername]

WEEK 3!!!!
I have made it three weeks and no relapse. I feel good about being free from PMO and feel stronger mentally for being away from it. So far the fear of leaving porn was unwarranted in hindsight. I expected to fight it like I fought cigarette addiction. They are not the same. The chemical pull of cigarettes is much stronger but diminishes over time. I find the pull of porn is much lighter once away from it and that is the lure that is deceiving. That's why we can convince ourselves that a peek won't hurt. Just this once won't do any harm. I'll let you decide for yourselves if that is true or not but for me I've decided it's not a matter of allowing myself the indulgence. It does nothing for me but lead me down a destructive path that has NO BENEFIT. No upside. NONE! So these mental adjustments have made the difference and I'm glad to be awake to this reality.

Reboot
Did I use porn today? NO
What were my triggers? n/a
How did I soothe my anxiety or stress? walking, meditation, BIKING, reading
What am I grateful for today? passing a milestone in my recovery and feeling strong that this is he new normal. Life without porn
Day counter! 3 WEEKS

 

[Joel]

Hey man,
Well done on the streak.

That's why we can convince ourselves that a peek won't hurt. Just this once won't do any harm.

I've totally had that experience trick me. The way i see it is the addictive brain has tricks to get what it wants. I've had powerful, physical urges like a smoker would get. Sometimes it got me, sometimes i was strong and it didn't; so the clever addict-brain changes its tactics and says, 'You got this, so you can break your streak and carry on tomorrow like it doesn't matter.' So stay on guard and  shine truth on any tricky thing that voice might tell you. 

 

[Numez]

Around 6-8 weeks is the worst part with cravings so keep the guard up and keep distance.

 

[mr.slurps]

Hey Pal,  I haven't seen you in a while.  Hope all is well. 
Still biking?