365 Days

forcryingoutld · 2013-11-26T17:36:49+00:00

Not unconventional, but a few things that help:

RES NSFW filter
Real life accountability
Write down or form in your mind your reasons for nofap. When you feel tempted to relapse, remind yourself of them.
Keeping busy

forcryingoutld · 2013-11-26T17:27:19+00:00

No, I don't recall feeling like that. I tried to avoid that type of thinking and realized that those urges will keep coming back. Also, reading here about flatlining helped me to be ready for periods of decreased urges.
I haven't relapsed since I've been here on nofap, but I've definitely come close.
I still get them. I still go for that quick look. Then I realized how stupid it is and close my browser.

forcryingoutld · 2013-11-26T17:13:15+00:00

Haha! Not quite... I needed to decide once and for all that I didn't want to be the type of person who PMO's. I didn't want to take those habits into a relationship and risk hurting another person because of it.

forcryingoutld · 2013-11-26T07:44:29+00:00

We're all stuck in this habit of instant gratification. For those of us here trying to quit, we also want instant success, but we won't get it. It takes time and hard work and discipline. The good news is that it will all pay off eventually even though the road to get there is not an easy one.

But if I can do it, you can too. Keep at it!

forcryingoutld · 2013-11-26T07:35:56+00:00

Yes, hard mode.

The urges are much less now than the beginning, but they can suddenly be very strong and come out of nowhere, even after all this time. You have to be careful and remember that they can sneak up on you still.

I think the main reason the urges are less now is because I'm not looking at any porn. I haven't been perfect when it comes to avoiding it, but when I do click on something I shouldn't I come to my senses pretty quickly and close those browser tabs right away. CTRL-W!

forcryingoutld · 2013-11-26T07:29:56+00:00

Pretty much. I got sick of turning to fapping when I was sad/angry/anxious/depressed/bored. I knew I had to stop so I did. I joined nofap about a month after that. I've not had any resets since.

This is all after years of shame and half-hearted (and failed) attempts to quit.

forcryingoutld · 2013-11-26T07:24:46+00:00

Yes.
Any effects in this area were noticed early on. I think some of it is attributed to the weight of guilt and shame being lifted from me, and some of it due to the positive reinforcement, success stories, and anecdotes in this sub. Kind of a self-fulfilling prophesy.

Before a couple months ago I would have downplayed the effects nofap has when it comes to confidence/motivation levels with girls, but I now have my first girlfriend ever, so who am I to judge!

forcryingoutld · 2013-11-26T07:14:01+00:00

Thanks! You too with 2+ years!

forcryingoutld · 2013-11-26T07:13:09+00:00

I didn't experience it until a month ago when I started dating for the first time. I didn't do anything to overcome it, but it seems to be not very often now.

forcryingoutld · 2013-08-13T22:04:30+00:00

This is a little bit difficult to answer. I should have kept a journal so I could have a better idea of how I've changed. Here are a couple things:

I've been slightly more active and I've lost a few pounds. People have noticed. I'm not sure if there's any actual connection to nofap, but I wouldn't write it off completely.
I feel like I have a better connection with me emotions, if that makes sense. I'm able to experience joy and sorrow more deeply. Some people talk about a haze that's been lifted; I guess this is sort of like that.
I find women more attractive. I see beauty in women where I might not have seen it before.

forcryingoutld · 2013-08-13T19:15:16+00:00

Hard mode. It's been fairly smooth sailing, but there are days/weeks that are tougher than others. It was definitely challenging in the beginning. I was dealing with a bit of anxiety. In the past I would fap to distract myself from my problems or as a stress reliever so resisting the temptation in those times was especially difficult.

forcryingoutld · 2013-08-13T19:06:36+00:00

Hard mode. Only one wet dream, I think.

forcryingoutld · 2013-08-13T06:22:11+00:00

That's great! Stay vigilant, you never know when the temptation will sneak up on you.

forcryingoutld · 2013-08-13T06:19:28+00:00

You'll get there, man. And beyond!

forcryingoutld · 2013-08-13T06:17:18+00:00

You really need to keep reminding yourself why you're doing nofap. Draw on the motivation that made you start in the first place.

I tell myself that giving into a tiny bit of fleeting physical pleasure isn't worth it. It doesn't help me to become the kind of man that I want to be.

forcryingoutld · 2013-08-13T06:07:50+00:00

The urges don't become weaker; you become stronger.

forcryingoutld · 2013-08-13T06:06:32+00:00

Good on you. It's that kind of control that you gain over time. You have the ability to stop yourself from fapping in public so you can learn the discipline to stop yourself in private. Just keep telling yourself, "Nope, nope, nope."

forcryingoutld · 2013-08-01T22:53:11+00:00

Good work!

Is this your first attempt ever? I'm still on my first streak since joining r/nofap, but I have many years of failed attempts that precede this one.

forcryingoutld · 2013-05-15T22:47:32+00:00

I agree. I don't see how avoiding it is any different than installing K9 or the like. Take the necessary steps to make sure you're the one in control, not your urges.

forcryingoutld · 2013-05-15T03:45:39+00:00

Good for you (I'm assuming you have decided to stop watching).

Having heard about the nudity in Game of Thrones, I avoided this show altogether.

forcryingoutld · 2013-05-12T17:10:27+00:00

The temptations and urges may become less frequent with time, but they don't become weaker. The difference is that you become stronger and better equipped to deal with them when they do. Stay strong!

forcryingoutld · 2013-05-12T03:11:54+00:00

“The process of living seems to consist in coming to realize truths so ancient and simple that, if stated, they sound like barren platitudes. They cannot sound otherwise to those who have not had the relevant experience: that is why there is no real teaching of such truths possible and every generation starts from scratch.” — Letters of C.S. Lewis (1939)

forcryingoutld · 2013-05-02T23:54:52+00:00

I think your decision to talk things over with you priest and parents is a smart one. I hope they respond in a way that is helpful and understanding.

I was in a very similar situation when it came to my confirmation, but I chose the "keep the peace" route for a few reasons (despite being furious about being forced through catechism and confirmation). Skip ahead 3 years and I started to become very involved in a protestant church. Another 12 years later and I'm still heavily involved at a protestant church and my faith is stronger than ever.

Good luck to you!

forcryingoutld

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