hollyari wrote on 28 Jul 2025 20:35:

Dear Hollyari,
Welcome to the GYE forums!! Your אמת shines through your amazing posts. You are not satisfied with external success, you want real Gevurah. Your determination is so inspiring!!

Re succeeding on your very first attempt - I actually believe that you have what it takes to make it on your first attempt.
BUT just remember one important Gemara (Sukka 52b): אלמלא הקב''ה שעוזר לו - אינו יכול לו, it's impossible to beat the YH without Hashem's help! Why is it like that? Because Hashem wants us to involve Him in everything we do and not to feel כחי ועוצם ידי. That's the ONLY way to succeed. Even the strongest guy can't stand in the way of a powerful tornado. The YH is extremely powerful, as you have experienced yourself over the last decade. So may I suggest that—together with your unparalleled determination—you say a short perek of Tehilim every time you face a challenge! From my personal experience, it's the key to success.

Wishing you tremendous Hatzlacha!! 
We're here rooting for you!!

חזק ואמץ,
UpAndDown

Dear HolyAri,
Your post made me cry- how special a yid you must be that after the endless work you've invested to beat this beast for so many years to no avail, yet with the finding of this amazing site you have flipped the switch ready to finally tackle it, WOW!

You have 100% accurately identified that GYE is THE ticket to freedom. With amazing tools that the the Flight to Freedom videos offer, to the extreme warmth and validation offered on this forum, being here you are well on your way. 

What was the true key for me and many others was reaching out to speak with people from the site, Sharing real life connection with real people just like you who are living this battle and many amongst them truly in a place of freedom is a tool like no other. Happy to talk (you could reach out at menuchashanefesh9@gmail.com) or give you a list of many to chose from. [ProudYoungerman- here is your cue...]

Wishing you tremendous hotzlocha in this journey, and we're here for you every step of the way!

מנוחת הפש

Welcome ארי הקדוש to the forums! Seems like you're on to something quite significant.

There are 2 very different ways of doing battle with the YH. One, is to struggle and deprive yourself from the pleasure that he offers by telling yourself that it's wrong and Assur. Internally, there will be 2 conflicting voices. One saying "I want this", and one saying "you can't have it because it's forbidden". There's a want being pitted directly against an Issur. The battle can be fought like this successfully, but it's quite hard to sustain. Constant denial of pleasure, is extremely difficult to sustain long term. It's almost like you're pushing down on a spring every time a urge arises. Eventually the spring will likely explode.

Whaא you're suggesting is a whole different approach. The 2 voices within you are both competing for a want. One says "I want this illicit pleasure", and the other says "I want to feel like a champion". You're not denying yourself pleasure, rather your choosing between two very different pleasure. If you can learn how to develop a taste for the exhilarating feeling that comes from conquering the YH, you'll harness the גבורת ארי within! It's a pleasurable feeling that can't be beat.

A word of caution, and I think that this is what some of the skeptical undertones of the previous posts are reflecting. This battle is a tough one. Respect The YH! He's one crafty fellow. He can make you feel like you've completely vanquished the dragon one day, only to come sneaking in the back door the next. There's got to be some type of strategy in place. Willpower alone is usually not enough. It can work short term to get you out of the rut, but in the long term it usually fizzes out. I've been around for approximately 2 years. Anyone I know that made any real progress, didn't do it alone. Techniques are useful and helpful, but there's no replacement for connecting with real people. People that have travelled the road you're currently on. They'll understand you so well, support you when you stumble, and lift you up if you fall. You've got a great attitude. With your fighting spirit, and some help from the good people here, you're well on your way to overcoming this beast forever. If Menuchas Hanefesh made you an offer, grab it. He's one of the best we've got. If you want feel free to reach out to me as well at my email in my signature. Looking forward to hearing more from you!

Wow… I’m overwhelmed in the best way.

To be seen, challenged, and lifted like this by real Yidden with real fire — I don’t take it for granted.

@BenHashemBH — your challenge lit something in me. You’re right. All this fire is beautiful, but without direction it can burn out — or burn me. So here’s my next step: IY”H I’ll check in here daily, post my streaks, and of course be mispalel. You gave me a wake-up call — it’s time to anchor this excitement into real, lasting change. Thanks for the push. I’m on it!

@YosefHatzadik — haha! You got me pegged. “Little big-shot” is probably the most accurate title I’ve ever been called! But your words cut deep — and real. You warned me about brute force, and I hear you loud and clear. I’ve tried that. I’ve failed. This time, I’m not alone. With you and over a minyan of new friends by my side — and of course, with siyata dishmaya — I believe something different is beginning.

@UpAndDown — wow… your אמת jumped off the screen and straight into my heart. That Gemara you quoted — even though I’ve heard it before — shook me again. I’ve been here before, thinking I was strong enough to conquer anything. But the truth is: it’s only with Hashem’s help. Starting now, I’m taking on a new weapon — saying a short perek of Tehillim at every moment of struggle. You didn’t just inspire me… you gave me direction. Thank you.

@MenuchasHanefesh9 — thank you! You’re right — I’m still new here and don’t yet know exactly how and where to reach out. But one thing I already feel clearly is: this time, I’m not doing it alone. Your post gave me that clarity and comfort. Thank you for holding out your hand.

@Amevakesh — thank you, holy brother. I accept your invitation. It’s amazing to see your streak is over two years clean — what an inspiration! And yes, like you said, I do need help — no question. As a newbie, I don’t yet know how or with what to reach out. But here’s my email: AriHaKadosh24@gmail.com. It would be a huge help if you — or anyone — could guide me further.

To all of you: you’ve made this forum feel like a family in just one day.

I’m in. For real.

With your support, with Hashem’s help, and with the fire I feel burning inside me —

I believe this time is different. This time…

I win.

I love the fire!! You inspire me with your enthusiasm. 

Dont let this moment pass you by, use it to the fullest. You joined GYE, thats amazing. You posted your story, double amazing, you are coming out of your hiding alone, triple amazing!!

My advice take this time to get some tools, to know why your doing what your doing, Why do you want Kedusha over the alternative, what will you do to get there?

The book the battle of the generation is a great place to start, read through the threads and youll see how many guys it has helped.

Accountability partners is another great tool, use it.

Were all rooting for you!! Please keep us posted of the good great and hard days, we really care for you to succeed!

KOMT

Chevra, it’s my 7th day…

Whoever wants to grab a zchus and catch another mitzvele today — please leave me a comment.

These days, my biggest koach is knowing that there are tens of Yidden watching my journey, cheering me on to reach higher summits.
Show me that you're really here and waiting for me..

To me, Day 7 is a huge milestone. It’s where the Yetzer gets nervous — and I’m expecting some serious pushback.

Even a short “I’m with you” or “Keep going” will give me the strength to break through.

Hay Ari, 

You are doing good buddy!
Just keep on going,

One Day At A Time.

CONGRATULATIONS on your 1 WEEK clean! That's incredible!

Stay strong

I'm watching you - you little big-shot of ours!

Bet you can't make it to 26 days!!!

“You just said I can’t?! That was the best chizuk I’ve ever gotten.”

Until now, I’ve always heard the same kind of encouragement — “Stay strong, you’ve got this, you can do it!”

And every time, that little skunk inside me would shake his head and whisper, “They don’t really know you. You? You’re the exception. You’ll never make it.”

But now — for the first time — my lovely opponent, Yosef HeTzadik, looked me in the eye and said straight:

“You can’t make it.”
And even threw down a bet..

And that did something different.

Because suddenly, something inside of me stood up and shouted:

“Wait, what did you just say? I can’t?! Oh, now you’ve woken up the lion.”

you put up a bet?!

I’m not backing down from this. I’m doubling up.

So here it is the deal

If I don’t hit Day 26 — Monday, 8/18/25 — I donate $100 to GYE.

Game on.

Let’s go. I’ve got this. And I’ll show that voice in me — and anyone else who doubts —

You picked the wrong guy to bet against.

WOW, what a thread, and I'm late to the party!!!

Welcome, Ari! As you can see, you've joined the warmest, most supportive family in the world!!! No judgment, no criticism, just love and support!!

Might I recommend you reach out to Hashem Help Me (michelgelner@gmail.com)? He's helped many, me included. 

With best wishes for Hatzlacha in beating the damn beast!

Muttel

hollyari wrote on 30 Jul 2025 18:43:

that little skunk is saying now... 

"Oh wow, look who's all fired up now! Mr. 'I've got this' with his big dramatic speech. You know what's hilarious? You literally just proved my point - you needed someone ELSE to tell you that you can't do it before you could even pretend to believe in yourself. That's not strength, that's just spite with a fancy bow on it. And a whole $100? Ooh, high roller! Nothing says 'I'm serious this time' like the same amount you probably spend on coffee in two weeks. But sure, tell yourself this is different. Tell yourself that anger at some random person online is going to carry you through when your own willpower couldn't.
Day 26, huh? August 18th? I'll be here, same as always, just waiting. Because here's the thing you keep forgetting - I know ALL your patterns. I know exactly how this story ends. The only question is whether you'll make it past day 3 this time, or if we're doing the usual day 1 restart dance.

But hey, enjoy your little moment of righteous indignation. It's cute. Really. Almost makes me forget about all the other times you were going to 'show everyone' and 'prove them wrong.' How'd those work out again?"

To reach August 18th 2025 your determination will suffice.
To get to August 18th 2026 you will need some inner work.

May Hashem be with you my friend!! Keep going strong and enjoy the attention you're getting 
Don't let anyone (incl. me) discourage you!

hollyari wrote on 30 Jul 2025 18:43:

Amevakesh,

I’m still new here, so not sure if you can see post edits — but you’re 100% right!

My original version did say I’ll donate if I make it to Day 26.

Then I thought: “Wait, staying holy will cost me $$?” So I flipped it — make the fall cost, not the climb.

But truthfully, giving to GYE is the best reward either way. I don’t even want to think where I’d be this week without it.

Thanks for the chizuk — you sharpened the idea perfectly.