Davidt,

Whoa… you’ve got an Eisik..

You really get it — that voice, the patterns, the twisted logic. You described it like you’ve lived it.

But maybe that’s exactly why your words hit so hard.

Because yeah — you’re right about a lot of things.

But this time, I’m not trying to prove you wrong. I’m trying to prove me right.

Thanks for the push. I needed that.

hollyari wrote on 30 Jul 2025 21:16:

You know what? That shift you just made - from "proving them wrong" to "proving me right" - that's everything.
You heard the voice, didn't get defensive, and chose a different story anyway. Not out of spite, but because you decided you're worth it.
That's not the same person who usually makes these bets. August 18th just got a whole lot more interesting.

Hey Ari, 

Welcome! It warms the heart to hear someone say those words that resonate so deeply with me: GYE meanshope. 

So many of us struggled alone in the shadows for too long, fighting shame and self-loathing, until we even came to believe that there was no path left to freedom. 
GYE shows us- you CAN  break free. So many others who thought the same have done so. Behind each thread of a a man with a long streak stands someone who thought it could not be done.
There is hope. And that’s precious. 
There are doorways opening up where you thought was only a brick wall. It’s going to take work, not just determination. But with friends , it’s a completely different universe. Around here, we like to say “the opposite of addiction is connection”; though we all must walk our own, sometimes lonely, road in life, it’s far, far easier to make the climb together with friends who understand. 

Read some threads, there’s a lot to learn here. When you’re ready make some connections. We’re looking forward to getting to know you better! 

Here’s a warm hand, 
chaimoigen

Thanks for the warm welcome, Chaimoigen.

Your message — and every message here — really means a lot.

I appreciate you sharing your thread, it’s full of solid chizuk and practical ideas.

With good friends around, this nisayon is starting to feel like a game — like playing Mario on GameBoy: I see a rock, I jump right over it.

Baruch Hashem, I’m at 8 now, aiming to win this battle on the first try… let’s keep climbing!

hollyari wrote on 28 Jul 2025 20:35:

I think we ought to change your name to "Arrogant Ari"!

Hey Stumblers,

You’ve got an insider—

The Yetzer Hara teamed up against me, and I gotta admit, he’s tricky and does his job well.

But guess what? I’m better. No contest!

I made it, I’m making it, and I will keep making it through!

See you all at the winning finish line!

You may have to do hataras nedarim on your first vow that if you are clean for 26 days you are donating money to GYE. Please do so because without that your second vow has no significance. Another option is that if you have a setback you are going to give more than $26 to GYE. You are much better off with doing hataras nedarim unless you easily have the money for the second option and you want to spend it on this. I tried sending you this in a private message but private messages weren't working.

Good point Yitzchokm..

Are private messages not working for the past few days?

Feel free dropping your comments here, Frank.lee. no judgments..

Or you can email me at Arihakadosh24@gmail.com

menuchashanefesh9 wrote on 29 Jul 2025 05:05:

That's it! I'm goin' on strike!
No more Burmese snail mail! It always misses the most important deliveries...

Either way, I am even later than Muttel (obviously), but I wanted to take this opportunity to...
Welcome to the warmest family in the world!

Here you will find true care, concern, and warmth.
Here you will learn that you CAN break free!
As you may know already, there are many tools here to help you in this fight, some of them you may not be familiar with.
There is the F2F Program, the Vaad Program* (click here for an explanation of what the vaad is), and the book The Battle of the Generation - many have found this very helpful in reframin' the struggle.
(The Hall of Fame Thread is an awesome compilation of some the great threads on GYE.)

There is also an extremely powerful tool of accountability, friends, and mentors that has helped hundreds - myself included.
HHM - Hashem Help Me - is the mentor-in-chief around here. He's reachable at michelgelner@gmail.com.
Some of the other great guys here are Eerie - 1gimpelovitz@gmail.com, Muttel - muttel15@gmail.com,   Reb Akiva - mevakesh247@gmail.com iwantlife - iwantlifegye@proton.me minhamayim - minhamayim1@gmail.com amevakesh - amevakesh23@gmail.com iwannalivereal - iwannalivereal@gmail.comcleanmendy - mendelclean1234@gmail.com

Keep postin', you'll see, the oilam is here for you.

Lookin' forward to seeing great things from you!
And don't forget, as always, KOMT!!

Hey Chevra, still remember me?

Well… I don’t know if you’re still with me — but I know I’m still with you!

It’s been rough. Friday, Shabbos, and then Tisha B’Av… long, long hours where I stood between two voices inside me:

One begging me to fall…

And one roaring to win — not just for me, but to show you bums that I’m stronger than the Yetzer Hara!

I want to say thank you to those who were with me in spirit the whole way —

BenHashemBH, YosefHaTzadik, MenuchasHaNefesh9, Amevakesh, DavidT, BalancedFox70 (yeah yeah, still as arrogant as ever) and all other friends who commented here.

We sat on the floor together. We said Eicha together. We pushed the day through together.

Now… a small appeal. A little wake-up call to myself, and a humble request from you:

Could you please click the Thank You button on this post?

It’s a tiny click — but it’s a mighty punch and push forward for me.

It reminds me I’m not alone. That you are still with me. That I still have who to fight for.

So… come out. Hit that thank you. Let me see those lights.

I’ll love you for it.

I'd press it 10 times if I could.... KOMT!!!!!!!!!

hollyari wrote on 05 Aug 2025 16:40:

Hey, you know what's better than a post on the forum and a thank you? Real connection.

It might seem tough, but I highly recommend you think about messaging one of those guys you mentioned for a schmooze. It's a different world. 

chosemyshem wrote on 05 Aug 2025 19:23:

My dear friend, you have been CHALLENGED...(which, for you, is something that doesn't go unanswered...)
How will you respond? Will you cower in fear from anonymous pajama-clad-basement-dwelling- ex-pervs who are waiting for you with open arms? Or will you let out a mighty roar, letting the burning YH know that you've got this one too?

Only time will tell...