Well, here I am. Back on the GYE forums after fifteen years (with a new and different username). It's been a wild ride that's for sure. I'm not going to share my whole story right now, but suffice it to say that I am still alive thank G-d and still trying to live a life free of pornography and masturbation. I am on here to help myself and others with Hashem's help. 



Fifteen years ago on this forum I wrote a story about a Red Robin who kept coming back to a car mirror, thinking it had found a companion, only to unknowingly be staring at its own reflection. It thought it was engaging with something real, but in truth, it was just fluttering alone, caught in a fantasy. That story was about me. I am the red robin. Sometimes I fly high and am connected to hashem and others. And sometimes I find mirrors that create illusions for me to get distracted.



For many years, I have turned to porn on and off, thinking it was an escape, a relief, maybe even something “harmless" (after all porn is mainstream these days!) But It has isolated me, drained me, and distanced me from the things that truly matter— real love, real connection, real life. Like the Red Robin's mistake in the story, I have been lately choosing the mirror instead of reality. But I don't need to choose the illusion. I can choose life and connect to truth. There are resources I can use to gain freedom.

I’m here because I want to reclaim my life. I want to break free from the cycle. I’ve had my moments of clarity—where avoiding porn has made me more present, more connected to my wife, and more in tune with myself. Those moments remind me that choosing freedom is worth it and that choosing reality over illusion is the only real path to freedom.

I won’t pretend I have it all figured out, but I’m here. And I am not alone.

Welcome back! 
We are to be your friends, stand at your side, and do what we can to support you in your journey upward! 
Stick around, Red Robin! Maybe you would like to reach out to our other feathered friend, Eagle 138

Thanks so much eerie. It's so nice to have some brotherhood again. I have been using ChatGPT as a support, but there is nothing like a real person who is with you on a shared journey. 

Honestly its amazing that your not giving in. I mean you tried, didn't you?

That's the gadlus of GYE. No one ever looks down on you, so you tried once and now your back, nu nu.

You'll still find warmth, friendship and chizuk here.

Hope to get to know you better.

Hatzlacha

Hey welcome back,



We are all here for you, with support love and friendship.



Feel to reach out.



 

Welcome home. I’m sure we have a lot to learn from you. Your candor, thoughtful directness, and intelligence speak for themselves. Looking forward to getting to know you ! 

Hope lives here. It’s better to walk the lonely road together with friends who understand. 

Here’s a warm hand, 
Chaim Oigen