Day 23
It was alright today.
Good job, brother! We're tracking pretty close together.
Day 23
It was alright today.
Good job, brother! We're tracking pretty close together
Awesome, bro! Thanks for support.
...but I did the only thing that has helped me since the beginning of the year, the avoiding to engage with them by imagining other things in my head, and it worked.
Here is the thing: thinking that you could completely avoid triggers is unrealistic, in my opinion. But your response is the key. At least so far I think I've found something that work for me. My new motto is "Keep the porn dopamine to the minimum."
I've made it too far, I don't need to fuck up everything and start from day 1, waiting 24 days again to get here is a lot, I am not the best at living in the moment (which I probably should learn). So, yes, the 24 days streak has been a long journey so far but done very very well, I'm surprised even myself. I must not deviate from the new plan.
I guess that, since the beginning of this year, I've been focusing my attention to quitting porn and forgot that alcohol is waiting for me right around the corner. Today it was like I bumped into the killer after forgetting about him for almost a month.
Thanks, man! I appreciate the support! I delete searches like that too but I don't know what happened this time, I didn't expect to use the search bar on a new device and see past searches!This is awesome progress man! I like how you dismissed the urges brought about by your past searches...! I typically have a habit of deleting riske searches that I've done in the past, so they don't trip me up in the future.
I like your approach and your focus!
I like how you said that: If you make it a big deal, it will be a big deal. I need to avoid panicking. There is a little bit of fear, you know, "Will I be able to pass this without relapsing?" The thing with porn is that I've seen that I can do it, in 24 days I've been challenged multiple times but when it comes to alcohol, you see, it's tricky, I didn't really crave it much until today so I focused more on porn and then BAM! I craved alcohol all of a sudden like crazy. You know, funny or not, I can outcome hard urges when it comes to porn but when it comes to alcohol I almost never could say the same in the past. In 2021 my longest streak without drinking was 40+ days (46?) achieved only once and then the rest of the streaks were embarrassing. You know what's crazy? I say that my number one problem is porn but I've had more success with no porn in the past than with no alcohol. Given the fact that alcohol almost always makes me indulge in porn, I think I should focus more on actually staying sober because this seems to be an even bigger challenge! It's crazy when you realize something like this. And the thing is, I started with porn, alcohol came later as a result of me trying to medicate the problems caused by porn."Bumped into the killer" is right! But, he's also another killer like PMO that you can ignore and go about your day. Always remember that he brings his ugly cousin (PMO) along with him whenever he shows up.
But, just like with porn, if we make it too big a deal it will be a big deal. All the power to say, 'No' or 'Yes' is in you, and not in whatever is reminding you- some outward trigger, or emotional state like depression.
There's a difference I make between 'external triggers' (or cues, I prefer to say), say like a billboard advertising P, or alcohol and 'internal triggers' where emotionally we feel rejected when passed over for a promotion, let's say, that can also act to cue us toward either of these behaviors.
No matter, because in both cases, you have the power to dismiss any urges that come from these.
These looks to me just normal withdrawal symptoms. Hold on, endure and do not give in. Watch your thoughts and emotions and when they turn negative, turn them back in positive. Just thinking like I just feel a bit down today but man am I happy to finally get rid of this addiction for good! Absolutely worth it! Life is so much better without. These feelings are letting me know the end is near. Turn withdrawal pangs into pleasure like a computer game.It's just like yesterday. The morning was alright and then it turned miserable in the afternoon. I feel pretty much like shit mentally. I'm going through a fuckin stress situation that provokes anxiety and my anxiety and panic responses are high, I'm freaking the fuck out. I don't like how I feel at all, I'm depressed and strange emotions are washing over me. Some days ago I felt on top of the world and now I crashed hard. I crave alcohol.
Thanks for support and advice, man.These looks to me just normal withdrawal symptoms. Hold on, endure and do not give in. Watch your thoughts and emotions and when they turn negative, turn them back in positive. Just thinking like I just feel a bit down today but man am I happy to finally get rid of this addiction for good! Absolutely worth it! Life is so much better without. These feelings are letting me know the end is near. Turn withdrawal pangs into pleasure like a computer game.
Can you do something to cheer you up like having a walk outside? In those situations I get out, away from any electronic devices. The feeling is temporarily. If you just delay it, perhaps replace with some other activity which gives a good feeling, it will go away.
''When you are about to give up, your enemy is about to give up as well'' Take care
That's right, man.You've got this. Your brain is seeking a relief, but you know neither alcohol or porn is actually relief. Just an illusion. They are the cause.
You're right, man. Thanks.Hey dude, I feel you. I was starting to feel that way when I started thinking ahead a lot. For me, calming down how much I was looking forward calmed down the "build-up". I think the urges don't build up (for me) so much as the fear of slipping builds up as time goes o, and I think sometimes it's really just that that drives slips. But it's just today, just this moment, that you have to get through. There is no tomorrow, until tomorrow. And all you have to do today, is just what you did yesterday. Let the urges go. You're still got this.