Hi all, working on myself here, just wanted to share what works for me. I’ve heard the idea going around of “no matter what happens, it’s not you” and stuff like that. It’s true that the neshama of each and every one of us retains a level of purity. But, even though this idea shouldn’t be a justification for actions, I found that I found myself rationalizing “ah so it’s not me, so if it’s too strong then what can I do?” 

I realized - it is me. I am struggling, and these are my actions. Once I decided to take full responsibility for my actions, it became much easier to resist, because I wasn’t resisting anymore in the classical sense. resisting = there’s this really strong opposing force, and I won’t let it make me do x. But I realized, it can’t “make me” do anything, it’s really all my decision one way or the other, and succumbing to it is entirely my choice Putting that extra level of responsibility on myself actually gave me more strength. Just though I’d share.

100%.  thanks for that

As a follow up tho - we believe that there is a very powerful yetzer hara, and a very powerful yetzer ha tov.  that cannot be denied, and the seforim are chock full of this and the idea that we have to beg Hashem for help. 

HOWEVER, I agree w/ what you are saying as far as that the buck stops with you.  I think your post helps to clarify that it is of ultimate importance to separate YOURSELF from the powerful urge - to disassociate from the urge, and act from your own choice.