Didn't get an entry for NYE obviously but it was pretty smooth sailing much of the day. Had some drinks with my housemate but mostly it was almost the text book case of a nice, quiet but fulfilling day at home. There was some brief late night wandering towards borderline material (smart phone near the bed, still not learning) but I stopped once I came to my senses. No room for substitutes in a porn-free lifestyle.
As for today, possibly as a result of the above it was a little bit trickier but I seem to have handled it alright.
1.) Weaken the porn urges by managing them as consistently as I can using methods discussed above.
In the morning I was hit with a barrage of mild but persistent urges. Fantasies & porn flashbacks kept pushing their way into my mind. Thankfully my new morning routine & also my hangover routine put me in good stead and I was in a good position to dismiss the thoughts until they eventually ceased. Vigilance is still necessary but I felt very happy with how I was able to manage it.
2.) Address the habits that lead to using porn.
I think the drinks & the previous night was a cue but the combination of the morning run to lose the hangover, the meditation to set my head straight and a long morning walk at a national park to get me out of the environment & state that was 'triggering' me put me in good position to manage & dismiss the urges. Once I was done, I spent the rest of the day resting, cooking, reading & jamming with the housemate.
I feel like since yesterday, these new habits feel much easier than they did even two days ago. Persistence & taking measured, small steps really does pay off.
So here we are in the new year. It's day 4 which, while I'd prefer to be a larger number, is still a start and certainly better than being trapped in the porn cycle.
Happy new year everyone. Wishing you all well in your journeys and much success for the year ahead.
As for today, possibly as a result of the above it was a little bit trickier but I seem to have handled it alright.
1.) Weaken the porn urges by managing them as consistently as I can using methods discussed above.
In the morning I was hit with a barrage of mild but persistent urges. Fantasies & porn flashbacks kept pushing their way into my mind. Thankfully my new morning routine & also my hangover routine put me in good stead and I was in a good position to dismiss the thoughts until they eventually ceased. Vigilance is still necessary but I felt very happy with how I was able to manage it.
2.) Address the habits that lead to using porn.
I think the drinks & the previous night was a cue but the combination of the morning run to lose the hangover, the meditation to set my head straight and a long morning walk at a national park to get me out of the environment & state that was 'triggering' me put me in good position to manage & dismiss the urges. Once I was done, I spent the rest of the day resting, cooking, reading & jamming with the housemate.
I feel like since yesterday, these new habits feel much easier than they did even two days ago. Persistence & taking measured, small steps really does pay off.
So here we are in the new year. It's day 4 which, while I'd prefer to be a larger number, is still a start and certainly better than being trapped in the porn cycle.
Happy new year everyone. Wishing you all well in your journeys and much success for the year ahead.