I love this post. It gave me a lot to think about. I have been constantly battling to plug all the holes in my daily routine. Filters on everything, not going certain places, it has been a 24/7 defensive battle against the Yetzer Hara. As a little kid, if my mother told me I couldn't have something,  that something became much more desirable.

If the ultimate goal is freeing yourself from these demons, hiding from them may help in the short term, but the long-term answer is not to desire them anymore. I am not downplaying the need for filters and other protective measures, but true freedom lies in not needing them. 

Fasinating!

Bh closing in on 1000 days iyh within two months.   I am genuinely humbled by this gift from hashem.  I am iyh planning a party to celebrate and dance in recognition of hashems kindness In bringing me to this milestone.  (You are the only ones who know about this, Everyone else thinks I’m planning a wedding)

I received a text today from someone who remembered me from a few years ago when I used to attend forbidden events.  I responded that I know longer participate in any of these events, and I proceeded to delete the exchange and his number .  I felt very good that Hashem sent me this to remind me of, and to strengthen my resolve. 

The truth is that it is always good to do things to strengthen this resolve. Indeed, often when I pass a club or other forbidden sites, I will lift up my hand as an additional blocker besides, just looking away. Sometimes I will even say out loud I don’t go there, and I don’t look at this. All of this helps to ingrain in me an instinctive resistance to these temptations that would otherwise naturally cause me to feel a pull towards them.  .

Wow, wow, wow!

Such a chizzuk to see this, as we matriculate our way towards milestones in your wake....

Following your lead!

Muttel

That's amazing - I wish I could get there someday. 

I found that last sentence
"It takes a long time to rewire 30 years of the thinking but only a second to turn towards the right direction!"
very  powerful - I find myself obsessing about the way in which my mind has been messed up by porn, with concentration, productivity and creativity affected, and how long it will take to get my brain back to normal.

The thing is - I have no power over that! The only thing I can control is me in the present moment.  

judah10 wrote on 09 Aug 2024 07:33:

the only choice you have, is the one that is right in front of you.  Everything else is just a distraction.  

the goal is not to "get the brain back to normal".  the goal is to make the right choices.  When you do that it will change your life much faster than you can imagine.