Hi
 I've been viewing pornography since i was about 10 years old. I grew up in a traditional Jewish home that wasn't fully observant but attended a modern orthodox school. I was often very intrigued by the Torah Classes, and was always very spiritual. My family had no Idea about the negative effects of porn or that it was considered such a sin in the Torah, and although I doubt they were aware of my constant porn viewing they assumed viewing porn is a natural part of growing up. Now I'm in my mid 20's I've become religious 3 Years ago and I've been working on not watching porn or masturbating for the past 3 years. I've had some 2 week and 20-30 day streaks my longest streak was 100 days. Lately I've been acting out pretty frequently, and I want to finally stop for good and never go back to this. I hope that logging my daily experiences will help me and I've never posted on the forum before so i hope in helps. In 18 days I'll start attending a Yeshiva and college in Israel. I hope to be completely clean until then and also after I start the Yeshiva of course. I think something that is very challenging for me is that I am surrounded by the secular lifestyle and hopefully the Yeshiva will help with that. 

I've been clean since this morning and I've been doing a relatively good job at not lusting after women today in the Street. If any of the members have a good battle plan they can share with me I will greatly appreciate it.   

Welcome to the GYE family.  Have you read through the GYE handbook yet for some good tools and perspectives on these challenges?

Welcome Freedom 1212.

This is my battle plan.
It has kept me clean for 218 days thank Hashem.
But I do get "wobbles"....tonight I had some wobbles.
So never get complacent.


Battle Plan:


When an urge comes, break down things into 5 minute blocks.
Say to yourself, I will do an activity for the next 5 minutes to take my mind off the urge.

But the key is to see the urge for what it is, an urge...external to you.
But triggered by your genuine emotions.

So long term you need to live a life that nourishes you in a healthy way.

That is about fulfilment from positive activities and a realistic approach.

But when the urge strikes, you do need a tactical plan.

Try walking, reading, calling a friend etc.

Or mindfulness.

www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/beyond-self-destructive-behavior/201601/mindfulness-in-the-treatment-self-destructive-behavior

Freedom12121 wrote on 12 Aug 2019 19:38:

Hi Freedom12121,
​Its a pleasure to see your sincerity, I wish you lots of Hatzluch on your joining and jumping into our great community here at GYE. Its a great place to be for people with these struggles, so that we can encourage each other in times of need. Keep on posting and stay in touch!
Btw, everyone around here has their own formula, so try to see what works best for you. Take advice from others that have gone through this and succeeded and see what works best.
All the best!!!

1 Day Clean!! 

It's been tough but I made it so far. I'm constantly having sexual images that i have to fight. I just try my best to listen to shiurim about shmirat habrit and think torah thoughts last night I had some pretty strong urges, but I went a shiur and it helped me a lot. I hope to continue staying clean and I believe I can. But these urges are so strong sometimes. Beezrat Hashem I'll pull through. Thanks for the advice and encouragement! It really helps 

Freedom12121 wrote on 13 Aug 2019 20:03:

Keep it up!! great job for today. For starters it might be hard, and that's normal.
Don't forget, take it 1 day / 1 hour / even five min. at a time. As ColinColin says "When an urge comes, break down things into 5 minute blocks.
Say to yourself, I will do an activity for the next 5 minutes to take my mind off the urge".
Keep on posting and let us know how you are doing, you inspire us all.
Hatzlucha raba!!!!!!

2 Days clean! 

I feel the urges are lowering a little but there still there at times I'm trying my best to accept that Hashem is here right now even if I can't see him like I can see a human so I shouldn't  view any shmutz because If i wouldn't do it if a person was looking over my shoulder i shouldn't do it now. When going on public transportation I'm listening to shiurim on shmirat habrit and that helps from looking at the many immodestly dressed women. Sometimes it feel like I haven't done this for eternity but its just 2 days. However if G-d forbid I do it the good feeling will last for at most one minute and I will feel completely disgusted in myself. As time goes on hopefully i will develop resilience and that will allow me to be resilient in other aspects of life too.

3 Days Clean!
I'm feeling better than yesterday with the urges. But still had a few thoughts for a short period of time. And I'm struggling a little with not looking when walking in the street but sometimes I've noticed that I was successful at looking away immediately. I feel more motivated to stay clean. I read yesterday in the gemara that everything is from Hashem except for fear of Hashem which helped me because it showed me how important it is to be shomer habrit. I really hope Beezrat Hashem I will maintain this motivation everyday.