Interesting that you mention this. Yesterday, I was reading the NoFap news articles on this site, which clearly are aimed to deter us from PMO. However, I got very triggered by them. First, they talked about Kanye West finding his dad's porn mag when he was 5 years old, which brought back 'happy' memories of me digging out my dad's porn mags from under the bed all throughout my childhood. Then in another article they went into specifics about why paid porn is more dangerous than free porn, but in my mind, 'dangerous' was replaced with 'better' and I found myself recalling more 'happy' memories of when I used to download porn instead of streaming it free, and remembering why it was 'better'. Then last and most dangerously, they had an article about a NoFap member who was so desensitized that the only thing that could get him off was this type of online fetish that I had never heard of before. So I did what any recovering addict trying to stay sober would do (sarcasm) and looked up this fetish to see what it was. Before I knew it I was in very dangerous territory and started to get caught up in that magic spell. Luckily I snapped myself out of it. In the past week I have been triggered by a text message from a friend and the NoFap news articles. These temptations can really come out of left field and you just have to always be watching your back no matter where you are or what you do. As the American soldiers would say in the Vietnam War- 'Charlie's in the trees!'. Maybe it's paranoia, but it's true. Temptations can come from anywhere at any time. I remember once some years back I was at an art museum and got so aroused from some of the paintings depicting women that I went to the bathroom and knocked one out while looking at the pictures I took of them. Didn't matter that there were all kinds of other people in that bathroom. Temptations truly come from everywhere and you just have to stay strong and vigilant.
I hear ya! I read an article the other day about a politician who got caught texting with a prostitute while parliament was in session. The article posted the texts, and they made me totally horny for hours! Some days are just brutal!
Checking in. Relapse early Saturday, but held through the remainder if the weekend. I'm not sure why my signature says"meeting my goals " I must have accidentally clicked custom. I tried to change it this morning and it won't let me? Any one else have trouble?
You are right. Must be vigilant, the temptations come from everywhere! Let's be focus and strong! Have a good journey!
Day 177. The neverending story... again the desire level of P is increased, as if to remember that the story continues and the enemy is never defeated. Lose some battles but come back with the same effective strategies ... There are risk conditions that we can change (not being alone if we can avoid it, not looking at contents that can be triggers of P, cutting the thread of incorrect thoughts ...) and there are others that do not (doing boring activities, the frequency of relationships sexual, problems that arise). As we cannot change "the outside", we have to strengthen "the inside". The inner strength, the clarity of objectives, faith. I keep trying. If the story doesn't end ... make it a good story!
If anyone else is having trouble resetting their streak, here is the link. Hopefully nobody needs to do that!! Taken from the tech support thread if it doesn't work: https://forum.nofap.com/index.php?pages/pmo-counter/
I'm doing pretty well on day 22, but having a hard time finding a "home" on this site, i.e. a space or group where I can check in regularly and get acquainted with some men. The sheer number of forums and threads is overwhelming. I don't know where to go to belong. Suggestions welcome.
Relapsed. Was fighting off the urges all day until I finally gave in. No porn involved, so I'm still watching that streak.
Check in Monday. Would be more than happy if I could work Mon - Fri and then Mon - Fri again so I didn't have relapse time at the weekends!
Thanks @artifact. I've been away from the group for a few days but I'm still here. Been having temptations and realisations these last few days. NoFap is the best thing I've done to get me thinking and behaving clearly. I may not have reached that magical 90, but I feel like I have over the course of the year. My PMO activity (not a habit anymore!!) has dropped from daily to probably once every two months on average this year. That's something I'm proud of. I still want to make the magic 90 though, as a goal.