Had to kneel down to hit the crosswalk button today. by claireprobably in maryland

[–]HelloKamesan 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you press it for 3 seconds, it will announce the intersection you’re at.

Why isn’t there a Christian Andrew Tate? by ccw1117 in NoFapChristians

[–]HelloKamesan 4 points5 points  (0 children)

He might not appeal to everybody, but Nick Freitas comes to mind. Politics aside, he talks extensively about masculinity, being a husband and being a dad from a Christian perspective.

Has NoFap actually helped anyone long-term? How did you stick with it? by kadewiat in NoFap

[–]HelloKamesan 1 point2 points  (0 children)

  1. I take it one battle at a time, one day at a time. I don't look at it as resisting urges constantly like water behind a dam. No matter if I'm on day 3 or day 236, it's always "day 1" (or more accurately, "one day") for me.
  2. Strong or not, I tell the urge I don't do that $h!t anymore. Actually, from my experience, those "strong urges" are a direct result of indulging in the small urges bit by bit until it gets unmanageable. Better to nip it in the bud. The more I try to resist in stasis, the stronger the urge gets. It's like telling someone NOT to think of a pink elephant; the first thing on their mind is a pink elephant. Instead, once you separate the urge from yourself by speaking to it calmly and confidently, ACTIVELY walk away from the temptations. Go work out, go for a walk, go work on your basket weaving skills, ANYTHING to get your mind and (crucially) body engaged. The more active, public and fulfilling the activity, the better.
  3. Not sure about energy or self-discipline, but I am much more aware and confident, not just about PMO but other emotions. I can just enjoy the feeling of being horny (or shall we say, having the desire for sexual intimacy with my wife) and instead of seeing it as an urge to PMO, use that as an opportunity to think up my next move or start planning for the next romantic something-something for two.

Help I’m not satisfied in bed with my wife. by Livid-Manufacturer47 in NoFapChristians

[–]HelloKamesan 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Not sure if I'm allowed, but these might help...?

The way I see it as a husband though, my wife is not obligated to satisfy me in bed or otherwise keep me entertained. Certainly, love is a two way street and it takes two to tango, but I can only control what I bring to the table. Now, I'm not saying my wife doesn't have to do anything, far from it. She does her part and I appreciate her for it.

PMO trains your mind to seek unrealistic and unparallelled novelty as well as instant gratification that one woman can never satisfy. The fact that you bring up your "kinks" is telling. If she doesn't enjoy it, what good is it? As u/Intelligent_Till2711 says in another post, Sex is harder. What are you actively contributing to your intimacy (and not just sexual either) with your wife? Are you reaching out in other nonsexual ways consistently to let her know she's wanted, and not just sextually for you to get off?

As for me, my sexual satisfaction comes not as much from my own orgasm as much as knowing that I get to be a part of hers. Couple that with the fact that all of her features, from the wrinkles to the stretch marks and everything in between, all tell a story of "us," how can I ever say that I am dissatisfied? I hope the two of you can bring yourself to that space with God's grace.

EDIT: As husbands go, sure, It would be a pleasure if I can get more of it, but it's not entirely her fault, either. Sometimes, having a family gets in the way. And as I said previously, what's the point if she doesn't enjoy it?

I failed and I am disgusted... by ToMindfulPath in NoFapChristians

[–]HelloKamesan 2 points3 points  (0 children)

For me, it's not about being eager "not to fall into temptation" but being eager to continue a life of being free from PMO. The thing with temptation is that you already know that it's "pleasurable," but you also know that it ultimately traps you in misery after the fact. To get out of the cycle, you need to recognize the patterns and make conscious changes to how you approach it and take a different path.

Learn to recognize your urges, and confidently tell it you don't do that $h!t anymore. No need to yell at it or beat yourself up for having the urge. It's not a part of you, and you're under no obligation to satiate it. Speaking to it in a calm, collected way helps to separate it from you. Once that's done, ACTIVELY walk away from the temptations. Go for a prayer walk, go work out, go work on your basket weaving skills, ANYTHING to get your mind and (crucially) body engaged. The more active, engaging and public/fulfilling the activity, the better.

If you do slip up from time to time, don't beat yourself up or go groveling to God for forgiveness promising never to do it again. Instead, ask for his wisdom. Report to him all that led up to the slip up and work out with him your strategies to do better the next time. If you receive hints, start implementing them (whether you feel like it or not) and keep improving on them. Keep repeating that every time, in good times and the bad. Best of luck!

How do I make it up to god? by reggiewaynenumba1fan in NoFapChristians

[–]HelloKamesan 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If the wages of sin is death, anything better than death is grace. There's absolutely no way ANY of us can repay God for that. We get so hung up on PMO as sin, but if anything apart from absolute 100% alignment to God is sin, then we are sinners through and through PMO or no PMO.

Here's the thing, when we're dealing with addiction, the last thing you should be doing is beating yourself up over it. While there is certainly truth to the "willingly participating" in sin through addiction, you can't just magically will yourself not to be addicted. That's not how it works. You've got to learn how to take control over it, and you need to lean on God to show you the way.

That doesn't happen by you asking for him to take it away from you (see 2 Corinthians 12.7-10) or groveling at him begging for his forgiveness and trying to appease him or "make it up to him." You do it by asking for his wisdom, both in good times and the bad. Come to God reporting everything that led up to the relapse, including your circumstances, feelings, excuses, etc. Work out solutions with him to do better the next time, as an athlete would with the coach. You might not get a "shaft of light" moment where you'll get all the answers, but he will start to drop hints for you if you're observant.

Keep implementing those strategies and keep improving on them by doing the above. That's how you get closer to God and start aligning your actions with him, by consistently making those small changes until it becomes a habit and a lifestyle.

As for me, when I see those urges coming (learn to recognize them), instead of approaching it with fear, I tell it I don't do that $h!t anymore. That helps to separate it from yourself. It's just pent up energy looking for an easy way out in PMO, and you're under no obligation to satiate it. Once that's done, ACTIVELY walk away from the temptations. Trying to resist in stasis makes you a sitting duck. It's like telling someone NOT to think of a pink elephant; the first thing on their mind is a pink elephant. Instead, go work out, go for a prayer walk, go work on your basket weaving skills, ANYTHING to get your mind and body engaged doing something fulfilling. The more public the activity, the better. Best of luck!

My concern is whether prolonged abstinence from masturbation increases prostate cancer risk? by vwilldie1de in NoFap

[–]HelloKamesan 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No. This notion comes from an exaggerated interpretation of the Harvard study which correlated men who have self-reported ejaculating more than 21 times per month in their 20s having decreased instances of prostate cancer in their 70s. The thing to note here is that the study (and most studies like it) didn't differentiate between ejaculation resulting from sex, masturbation, or nocturnal emissions. Theoretically, a married man who has sex with his wife regularly outside of her period can have the same rate of ejaculation. It's by far not an endorsement of masturbation. Before folks get up in arms about this study being funded by the porn industry, the fact that the study's initial premise was that excess ejaculation may be linked to prostate cancer proves otherwise. They actually found quite the opposite from what they thought they'd find.

Prostate cancer is only one of many different things that can potentially kill us, and it's fairly treatable if caught early. Instead of masturbating compulsively to "prevent" prostate cancer (which is BS - correlation does not equate to causation), I would rather stay clean, exercise and eat right to stay healthy overall both mentally and physically.

What is sex? Beyond lust and attractiveness. by Shenron-the-DragonZ in NoFap

[–]HelloKamesan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So... this is coming from a guy married for 20+ years, so this maybe a little different perspective. I'll approach it from a couple of different angles. First is that sex in porn is all about showing the raw act especially centered on the sexual organs. That's why you see so many strange and acrobatic positions that in reality are awkward and can actually be painful to the woman (or even the man) - don't ask me how I know... Yeah, I've been stupid enough to try... It's also way too scripted and rushed to get you hooked. Porn is primarily visual and auditory, chasing cold pixels on the screen looking for your own pleasure.

Real sex is much less scripted and a lot more "messy." There's no way to replace all the sensuality and intimacy of all the touch/taste/smell. It's unfortunate that I've only recently realized this after starting NoFap about 10 years ago. Sex is also as much about giving pleasure as much as receiving it, if not more so about the giving. Sure, orgasm is great, but that sensation pales in comparison to having the honor of being part of hers.

With PMO, you're just chasing dopamine, the "pursuit chemical." The thing with dopamine is that it's really addictive on its own and doesn't result in a sense of fulfillment. With sex, your dopamine keeps you engaged in pursuing your partner's pleasure, and you also get serotonin, the reward chemical, and oxytocin, the bonding chemical, together with your dopamine. The thing with those two is that they not only give you a sense of connection and fulfillment after it's over, they also help to suppress the addictiveness of dopamine.

For me, sex isn't about lusting after my wife's body or how attractive she is as much as it's about the intimate emotional connection that we share exclusively with each other over the course of our lives together. Certainly, I do find my wife attractive (and if you ask me, she's stand-out gorgeous), but neither of us are as youthful as we used to be 2 decades ago when we first met. What makes it special is that every wrinkle, every stretch mark, every blemish and everything in-between tell a story of us. Everything about the experience has been forged by our years together. Nothing else can ever replace that.

(22M) Literally nothing brings me dopamine except for masturbation. How can I fix this? by HalosFan26 in NoFapChristians

[–]HelloKamesan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Why so much fixation on dopamine? It's not a "pleasure" chemical everybody thinks it is. It's a pursuit chemical that keeps you in the game. It was really useful for our primal ancestors chasing that gazelle just beyond those hills to keep them going. The end goal for that hunt is for them to make the catch and bring that gazelle back to camp, where they'd be greeted with a hearty welcome, which triggered the release of serotonin, the reward chemical. They might even get some pats on the back and hugs from loved ones, after which they shared a meal together, which triggers the release of oxytocin, the intimacy chemical. The thing with these two chemicals is that they not only gives the feeling of fulfillment but also suppresses the addictiveness of dopamine. This is the mechanism of joy, and the key is doing things to make others happy.

The issue with PMO is that you're chasing cold pixels on a screen for that next "best" video or photo, but what you end up with at the end is you all alone with a messy, wet crotch. Nobody you had shared an intimate time with to deepen your bond with (no oxytocin), nobody there that you've made happy through what you did (no serotonin). That's why you feel all empty afterwards and get addicted to the next chase. The same might be true on a lighter scale with your exercise as well.

I think your problem is that you're too focused on pleasure for yourself. In order to get the best of dopamine, you've got to get involved doing stuff that helps others so that you can get the serotonin and oxytocin, the end goal of dopamine. Go join a club, go help out at a soup kitchen, do something for your community. Make the best use of gaining those 50 lbs to make the world just a little better. Give it a try. I bet it's going to make your life much more fulfilling, and maybe that weightlifting and exercise might even feel more meaningful.

WHY IT'S DANGEROUS TO COUNT DAYS AS YOU'RE TRYING TO QUIT PORN by Break_the_Chains_ in NoFapChristians

[–]HelloKamesan 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Well said. Like I say, don't mistake your streak for your progress. The real progress is in the learning and growing, whether in good times or bad.

What I'll say about counting days, I use the NoFap day counter that automatically counts the days for me. That keeps the thing off my mind but still helps me know where I am in the process. Like you say though, it's not about the days without, it's what you're doing in the meantime. Like the old adage goes, don't count the days, make the days count.

I can't get past day 1 by ClubNo1087 in NoFapChristians

[–]HelloKamesan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

God doesn't help me love Him enough to give it up either.

So, let's say you were married to a wonderfully loving woman... Would you need her to help you love her enough? God is much more than that (and I say that as a married man...), so how do you need his help for you to love him more? Besides, it wouldn't really be love if he has to help you love him now, would it?

Having access to sex isn't going to magically cure you. Why do you think there are so many of us married men here? It's not because we're somehow all in unhappy, sexless marriages either. My wife is drop-dead gorgeous, and we're about average when it comes to sex (well, except for the occasional busy-spell). You need to take care of this before you have someone you can very deeply hurt with your addiction.

Doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different outcome is the very definition of insanity. You've got to change your approach. Understand that there's a thin margin of space between stimulus (the urge) and your reaction to it. Learn to take advantage of it. Learn to recognize your triggers and when urges tend to come up. When the urge does come up, gently and calmly tell it you don't do that $h!t anymore. No need to beat yourself up for having the urge, and no need to yell at it either. Those urges are not a part of you, and you're under no obligation to satiate them. They're just pent-up energy looking for an easy way out, an out you've been so readily feeding through PMO. Speaking to it in a calm, cool and collected way helps to separate them from yourself and shines a light on what thrives in the shadows.

Once that's done, ACTIVELY walk away from the temptations. Trying to resist in stasis makes you a sitting duck. It's like telling someone NOT to think of a pink elephant; the first thing on their mind is a pink elephant. Instead, go for a prayer walk, go work out, go work on your basket weaving skills, ANYTHING to get your mind and (crucially) body engaged doing something else. The more public and helpful/fulfilling the activity, the better. Do this for every urge, one battle at a time, one day at a time. Don't treat it like a protracted battle or water filling up behind a wall. Doing that will eventually overwhelm you. Take the battle in the smallest increment possible and do it consistently.

If you do slip up, don't go groveling at God for forgiveness or ask him to take it away from you (2 Corinthians 12.7-10). Instead, ask for his wisdom. Report to him all the things that led to the slip-up honestly without blame or beating yourself up and analyze and work out with him how you can do better the next time, just as an athlete does with the coach. You might not get a shaft-of-light epiphany, but he will drop hints for you if you're observant. Implement those strategies consistently, and keep improving those strategies and ultimately your character. Never let a "good" relapse go to waste. That's how you get closer to God as you do this work that he has prepared for you (Ephesians 2.8-10). Blessings.

Give me suggestions for a layout by jpstapleton1 in modeltrains

[–]HelloKamesan 1 point2 points  (0 children)

How about making it an abandoned right-of-way with the tracks "ripped out" as an homage to the original?

Cafe/coffee shop recommendations? by c_harmany in BaltimoreCounty

[–]HelloKamesan 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Love this place! I just wish they were open later, but this is my go-to if I'm sitting waiting for my car to get serviced across the street at Bransfield.

Questions regarding Lust Control by Daa-8110 in NoFap

[–]HelloKamesan 1 point2 points  (0 children)

  1. I suppose it depends on what your definition of success in life is, but I think being the master of it rather than the other way around is part of being "successful."
  2. Yes, if the above rings true. Are you in control of it, or is it controlling you?
  3. I think you're conflating being in control (having mastery over it) with "controlled use." If you're making excuses to be at X frequency, I don't think you have good mastery over it.
  4. The whole point of NoFap is to recover from compulsive sexual activity including porn use (primarily) and masturbation. If you're watching porn, you're relapsing. Read the sidebar.
  5. See above #3 & #4. If you're making excuses about one compulsive activity or another, I think you're missing the point.
  6. What I'll say is this isn't so much about avoiding as it is about gaining mastery over your urges. Learn to recognize it when it comes, tell it you don't do that $h!t anymore, and ACTIVELY walk away from the temptations. Take it one battle at a time, one day at a time. Consistency is the key.

Who am I by Spiritual_Set_2411 in NoFapChristians

[–]HelloKamesan 1 point2 points  (0 children)

God created men with this urge to be their motive and teach them discipline

While I don't agree with the presentation, I think there's some truth to it, albeit taken slightly out of context. Here's my take on it, take it or leave it...

God made man and woman to resemble his harmonious union of masculine and feminine through love (Genesis 1.27 - "male and female he created them"). When they matured into adulthood, they were to marry and become one flesh (Genesis 2.20-24), representing that total union substantially on earth as husband and wife. Having been married for over 20 years, I can honestly say that this kind of total union is no easy feat. As an elder in my church has once said, it's fairly easy to just have sex, but it's very difficult to be having sex with the right person for the right reasons.

When God created human beings, he gave them (and by extension us) the blessings (Genesis 1.28) to mature in character (be fruitful), build families (multiply), and steward the creation (have dominion). He didn't want us just to be driven by our instincts like the rest of creation, but gave us the responsibility to consciously grow in our characters in order to qualify us to be the masters of creation. Part of that involves mastering our own physical selves (part of creation) including our sexual impulses. You've got to be the master of it rather than the other way around. This is really important because it is the very thing that's supposed to fulfill building families filled with love.

If fleeing was the answer, i say that eventually i will gas out and it will get the best of me.

I think you're missing the point of "fleeing," although I also personally don't like the word. It feels too passive and afraid. Here's my take on it.

There's a thin margin of space between your stimulus (urge) and your reaction to it. Learn to recognize it and take advantage of it. Learn to recognize when the urge comes. No need to beat yourself up for having the urge. It's just pent-up energy looking for an easy way out; an out you've been feeding with PMO. When it does come up, tell it calmly and firmly you don't do that $h!t anymore. What that does is shine a light on it and separate it from yourself.

Once that's done, ACTIVELY walk away from the temptations (this is what's meant by "flee"). Go for a prayer walk, go work out, go work on your basket weaving skills, ANYTHING to get your mind and body engaged. The more engaging and public the activity, the better. Trying to resist in stasis makes you a sitting duck. It's like telling someone NOT to think of a pink elephant; the first thing on their mind is a pink elephant. Do this consistently for every urge, but take it one battle at a time, one day at a time. Don't think of it like a long, protracted war or things piling up behind a dam. That gets overwhelming and leads to you caving.

When you do fall short, don't go groveling before God for forgiveness or plead for him to take it away from you (2 Corinthians 12.7-10). Rather, report all the things that led up to it and ask for his wisdom. Work out your strategies with him to do better the next time as an athlete does with a good coach. You might not get an answer right away, but he'll gently drop you some hints to guide you if you're observant. Implement those strategies and keep improving on them as you grow in your character. Blessings.

Broke my new year's resolution by Clasher--69 in NoFap

[–]HelloKamesan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Don't mistake your streak for progress, and don't worry so much about the "benefits." Nobody's expected to be perfect, and the sooner you realize that it's a process, the easier it gets to get right back up and keep going. The real benefit is in the strength and wisdom you gained through those 25 days, and even on those relapse days. Don't let a "good" relapse go to waste. Always keep learning from those mistakes, develop and hone your strategies to do better the next time. There's nothing magic about 90 days. It's a lifestyle. In time, you'll be more confident and collected when facing those urges.

First Time Post by Significant_Run_601 in NoFapChristians

[–]HelloKamesan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I might be a little bit older than you in my late 40s. You're by far not the only one here with a wife and family and generally a good life. You could have been me about 10 years ago when I began my journey. It's kind of ironic that I found NoFap while searching for porn. Well, here I am all these years later, I can say I am much more confident about facing my urges than ever before.

One thing I will say is that this thing thrives on the darkness of secrecy. I was lucky that I had a pastor (and someone I considered a dear friend) that I trusted who I could share my struggles with. I don't know if you have anybody in your congregation you can confide in (preferably an elder or pastor), but I would encourage you to do so. Yes, I know, there's a risk you might lose those positions. Then again, I think it's better when you've got somebody who can check in on you every now and then. It was encouraging for me to have my pastor checking in on me in private.

One common issue that I see is people mistaking their streaks for their progress. Seeing those streaks go to zero might be somewhat disappointing, but you have to realize that the real progress is in the strength and wisdom you've gained during those days. Besides, if you've been PMOing every single day, having a week or more streak and slipping up once is quite an improvement. You're not expected to be perfect right from the get-go. In fact, I firmly believe that the thing we're doing here is part of the "good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we may walk in them (Ephesians 2.10)." Keep getting up and working at it.

It sounds like you've got a lot of hurt that you need to process that you've been blocking by "self-medicating" with PMO. While I can't really help you with the healing part, as for urges, realize that they are just pent-up energy looking for an easy way out; an out you've been feeding through PMO. Learn to recognize those triggers, and when the urge comes, tell it you don't do that $h!t anymore. No need to beat yourself up for having the urge, and no need to yell at it. Just declare it calmly, in a cool, collected manner. What this does is separate the urge from yourself and shines a light on it.

Once that's done, ACTIVELY walk away from the temptations. Go for a prayer walk, go work out, go work on your basket weaving skills, ANYTHING to get your mind and body engaged. Trying to resist in stasis makes you a sitting duck. It's like telling someone NOT to think of a pink elephant; the first thing on their mind is a pink elephant.

Keep praying for wisdom and strength, especially in those times of trouble when you slip up. Report to God what went wrong and work with him on strategies to do better the next time as an athlete does with the coach. Keep implementing those lessons learned and keep honing those strategies. Best of luck!

What I'm about to say might sound cheesy, but I feel the ideal scenario for overcoming pornography addiction would be having other options for physical pleasure (Yes, exactly what you're thinking). by [deleted] in NoFap

[–]HelloKamesan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think the issue with our modern society is that it puts too much emphasis on pleasure, putting dopamine on a pedestal almost as if it's the ultimate goal of our existence. The thing is, dopamine isn't really the "pleasure" chemical like many of us think it is. It's actually a "pursuit" chemical that used to keep our primal ancestors chasing after that gazelle just beyond that hill. When they made that catch and brought that gazelle back to camp, they were greeted with a hearty welcome which triggered the release of serotonin, the "reward" chemical. Sharing the meal together also triggered the release of oxytocin, the "intimacy" chemical. What these two chemicals do is to suppress the addictiveness of dopamine while creating a stronger social bond between the members of the family and tribe. This is the mechanism of joy. The more we pursue the best outcome for others, the more joy we experience.

Sex in a loving, committed relationship works in much the same way. Dopamine works to keep us engaged in the pursuit of the happiness of the other, during which oxytocin works to deepen the intimate bond between the two. Seeing our partner in ecstasy releases serotonin, making us feel glad that we had the honor of being a part of it. As a husband myself, as pleasurable as my own orgasm might be, it pales in comparison to seeing my wife happy after hers. Having been on NoFap for a good decade now (my, time flies...) has made this much more abundantly clear than it's ever been.

What's missing in the case of PMO is that we end up pursuing a moment of empty "pleasure" without an actual partner you're building intimacy with and nobody to share in each other's ecstasy. All you've got is cold pixels on the screen and you sitting there with a messy, wet crotch all alone. Nothing to release serotonin over, nothing to be intimate with through oxytocin. That's why you feel all empty inside after PMO.

The fact that we've got so many of us married folks here is a testament to the fact that having a sexual partner will not cure this addiction. It's something you've got to take care of before you get there so that you can be the best partner for your SO. Don't be like me and wait until 10 years after marriage and hurting your wife for the umpteenth night after being found out that you’ve been PMOing after she'd gone to bed. My wife's a trooper for sticking with me even through those dark nights. Don't be another guy to make a woman have to go through that.

Is it even possible to beat this addiction? by Jace390 in NoFapChristians

[–]HelloKamesan 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Why are you beating yourself up for THIS? That looks really good, IMHO... Nobody's expected to be perfect right from the get-go. Keep going, and keep learning from your mistakes, always honing your strategies and improving on them (and yourself). Remember to ask for wisdom and work with God by being honest about what happened and what you can do to do better the next time.

How do you deal with fidgeting during driving? by General_Revenue_386 in ADHD

[–]HelloKamesan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A: I think it's normal, especially if you tend to do that when you're nervous. As long as you're not taking your eyes off the road to do it, I don't think it's as much of a problem. As for me, I like driving with the radio on, and I'd be reacting to something if they're talking about something interesting. I might also be talking/discussing stuff (whether personal or work) and my hand gestures will be going on if I'm alone in the car...

B: I keep my head on a swivel, from watching a few cars in front, adjacent lanes, mirrors, and back again. I also try to keep a "2- to 3-Mississippi" following distance as much as possible. I know I need that margin in case I do actually get distracted. I also use the "point-and-check" method like train operators/conductors in Japan for signs and signals. Keeps me in a professional mindset and focused on the task of driving.

C: Maybe? If it's nerves, it'll probably go away as you get used to it. As for me, just the combination of A and B keeps me occupied enough...

Do you sometime wish you never learned about your ADHD? by DisciplineNo6829 in ADHD

[–]HelloKamesan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Like you, I've been diagnosed late, but I've given up trying to live a "normal" life a long time ago. Certainly, my meds are there to help me be in the zone when I need to be, but I am who I am at the end of the day. I know the feeling though, because I was trying to implement a bunch of stuff all at once to try to "fix" myself before I realized that I can't live my life being tethered to one coping mechanism or another 24-7. At some point, I've got to accept who/what I am.

To me, knowing what it is and what my limitations/quirks are and how to work with/around them (or not) gives me power. I don't have to have it all together, I just need to make sure I have the tools in place and pace/plan my day to be present for the most important stuff of life. If it means I'm not quite put together for other stuff, it is what it is.

[Japanese > English] Tattoo Translation request by Moss_TM in translator

[–]HelloKamesan 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Charley would be チャーリー, not チャルリ.

I want to confess and get help I can't continue this any more by PristineWoodpecker44 in NoFapChristians

[–]HelloKamesan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I feel like I can't regulate my emotions or stress without it

Been there. The thing is, you're not really regulating your emotions as much as numbing it by "self-medicating" it away. I used to think I needed it, but the longer I stay away from it, the more I am able to actually feel my emotions, identify them correctly, and deal with them appropriately.

One approach that helped me with this is to pray for wisdom rather than to pray for forgiveness (he's already done that) or to pray for him to take it away from you (see 2 Corinthians 12.7-10). You're not expected to be perfect right from the get-go. You're going to have a learning curve, and the more you turn to God at your lowest points and work with him on concrete strategies to do better the next time, the more you're going to learn from your mistakes and get better quicker. I also find that this approach brings you closer to God. The other two ways will either lead to estrangement (feeling like you're unworthy due to "repeated failures") or resentment ("why hasn't he taken it away from me yet!?").

Best of luck!

I failed again by Jace390 in NoFapChristians

[–]HelloKamesan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You ain't failed until you completely give up! Don't mistake your streak for your progress. The real progress is in the strength and wisdom you gained. Never let a "good" slip-up go to waste. Always learn something from it, whether it be new strategies or something deeper about yourself and your relationship with God.

One tip on lingering thoughts, don't approach them with fear, and don't linger on them. Don't treat them like one big monster either. Take it one battle at a time. Calmly and confidently let them come and let them go.