So I am 23 years old, I have been consuming porn regularly since I was 11. I have known I've had a problem with porn at least somewhat over the past four years, but this past year has been exceptionally difficult, through a number of shameful and problematic behaviors that I cannot repeat. Ultimately, I need to quit for my mental/emotional health, as well as my career and my relationship. I have been attempting to quit since March of this year, with limited success. I have managed generally one to two weeks at a time, but always end up caving in. I have a blocker, and my girlfriend knows and is supporting me through this. I have been attempting to redirect my triggers when I sense them, but god, sometimes it feels so difficult. Does anyone have any tips on this?
I suppose what I am asking is, when I feel like I just really want to watch porn, despite the fact that I know I don't, what do you do? I have techniques to distract myself, but sometimes I just don't do them because part of me does want to watch. How do I get past this, and make it longer than two weeks? I want to live completely clean of any pornography whatsoever, but right now, it feels impossible.
I'm writing this coming off of one week clean, having just relapsed. Last week, I relapsed after two. I just need to get back on the horse and stay there, but I'm having such difficulty.
I am going to begin cataloging my triggers in an effort to better understand myself, so that I can take preemptive action to help myself succeed. I know I feel triggered when I see beautiful women, but also when I am alone in the home, when I feel isolated, stressed, bored, or frustrated. Today, I relapsed because I was attempting to work on something on my laptop that was stressful to me while I was alone. These two things in combination were all it took. I even managed to stop and get away from my laptop twice, but I came back. Going forward, I am going to put away my laptop and only take it out to use when others are in the house, especially if it is to do something stressful.
Ok, so yesterday I relapsed. I am thinking it was likely due to some small cheats I made last week (not helping myself succeed), on top of having sex with my girlfriend on the weekends tends to create chaser effects during the week. I am adjusting where I keep my computer in the house to better help myself going forward, and I am going to take the next couple of weeks off of having sex to really focus on this reboot. I have books, guitar, and D&D to occupy myself with. Overall, I think trying to spend less time alone in my room will be helpful, so that' my game plan.
I suppose what I am asking is, when I feel like I just really want to watch porn, despite the fact that I know I don't, what do you do? I have techniques to distract myself, but sometimes I just don't do them because part of me does want to watch. How do I get past this, and make it longer than two weeks? I want to live completely clean of any pornography whatsoever, but right now, it feels impossible.
I'm writing this coming off of one week clean, having just relapsed. Last week, I relapsed after two. I just need to get back on the horse and stay there, but I'm having such difficulty.
I am going to begin cataloging my triggers in an effort to better understand myself, so that I can take preemptive action to help myself succeed. I know I feel triggered when I see beautiful women, but also when I am alone in the home, when I feel isolated, stressed, bored, or frustrated. Today, I relapsed because I was attempting to work on something on my laptop that was stressful to me while I was alone. These two things in combination were all it took. I even managed to stop and get away from my laptop twice, but I came back. Going forward, I am going to put away my laptop and only take it out to use when others are in the house, especially if it is to do something stressful.
Ok, so yesterday I relapsed. I am thinking it was likely due to some small cheats I made last week (not helping myself succeed), on top of having sex with my girlfriend on the weekends tends to create chaser effects during the week. I am adjusting where I keep my computer in the house to better help myself going forward, and I am going to take the next couple of weeks off of having sex to really focus on this reboot. I have books, guitar, and D&D to occupy myself with. Overall, I think trying to spend less time alone in my room will be helpful, so that' my game plan.