For those of us with smartphones.

A smartphone gives me the feeling, if I'm not using it, I'm wasting time. Sometimes I ise it for good, but sometimes I use it for time wasters.

I'm gonna practice over the next ccouple days, doing nothing for 5 minutes.

so true.
A smartphone is ants in your pants. like there's tons happening and your just sitting and missing out on it. i found w myself (and have seen by others as well) that i would take out my phone without having anything specific in  mind to do, and just scroll back and forth on the home page, then maybe open messages although i know i dont have new messages, then try the camera.... as if there's something exciting lurking in there. life is much calmer without a smartphone.

I'm currently in my danger zone, past the two week mark.

What will make this time different?

Not that I have started looking at anything, but I have started hearing the voice in my head saying, what would be so terrible to have a little excitement.

Hakolhevel wrote on 06 Jul 2023 03:37:

yes! and what are you doing in response? shutting it out, talking back, something else? its great that you know your danger zone!

Hakolhevel wrote on 06 Jul 2023 03:37:

For me, from years of experience, I know good 'n well what would happen with a little excitement.

Godspeed!

@cordnoy does knowing good and well what would happen prevent us from going ahead? There's a reason most people continuously act out despite that knowledge. My question would be, for those who stop, what changed?

@Richtig, right now I'm just noticing the voice, not doing anything about it other than exactly that, noticing it.

Hakolhevel wrote on 06 Jul 2023 05:45:

Yes, it can; perhaps with a program.

Noticing can make a difference.
Because there's a part of you that is higher and deeper that is observing, noticing the other part.... That's the part of you that doesn't want to fall. And you don't have to! 

But you need to take this moment to set things up for when it (almost certainly) will grow from a voice to an urge, for when the voices in your head will mingle, and the Ratzon starts to change... 
Lots of tools for that here. Most of them work better with advance awareness.

Reaching out to a friend for help is the strongest, even if it's hard. [Markz says that the opposite of addiction is [b]connection. I have not stopped thinking about that one...] There are special people here who can really help, and being connected in and of itself always helps....
And, most importantly, ask for help from the Rebono Shel Olam. It works - He's waiting for us to ask..... He can and will help us with what we cannot do alone!

Of course, the deeper work involves working on the positive. Why do I want to be clean? Figuring out what is making you look for a "little excitement". What is excitement and satifaction for you, or lack thereof? Asking- "Is something pushing me down the slippery slope?" Offense! Not just defense.

I think this is what Cordnoy is hinting at [along with the need for the Program] - he can articulate it far better than me, but will probably just hint... 

Here's a warm hand on your shoulder, from a fellow-sufferer... Feeling you,,,,

I think any program needs some form of fellowship. Mentors and fellow travelers.

I've been doing the F2F program, though unless you live in a town with group meetings, the program seems very disorganized, and the forum there is close to dead.

It has potential, and a lot of great stuff.

Maybe I need to be like cords. If you don't like what's out there, make your own phone call group.

It's a thought.

Hakolhevel wrote on 07 Jul 2023 03:32:

מחשבות טובות…
איא אי יי איא אי יי 
איא אי יי איא אי יי

דיבורים טובים!!!!!

Hakolhevel wrote on 22 Feb 2022 13:34:

Not planning on a repeat.

I like my life without porn.

Love y'all

Hakolhevel wrote on 11 Jul 2023 00:23:

I love it, friend. Something to LIVE for, not just something to run away from.
It's a wonderful life.
Keep soaring!

Ive been clean for 22 days before, but this time feels different...

Hakolhevel wrote on 12 Jul 2023 00:49:

Hashem has been so kind to me. Chasdei Hashem Ki Lo Tamnu.

He has given me more than I deserve, including now 35 days free from my mind prison.

Thank you Hashem.