Just finished a tough day day of work. Lot of stress today which triggered thoughts of acting out. Realizing that stress was a trigger for me helped tremendously and once I was conscious of that I just said I'll deal with the stress in a different way. I'm learning something new every day from this. I'm on vacation now for three weeks which is a relief. At the same time, however, I feel like this is a dangerous time. With more time on my hands than usual, I will have to make sure to keep myself busy and create things for me to do. Ideas anyone?

Do you play a musical instrument? If so, practice, write a song or two. If you don't, learn one! There are several instruments that can be learned within three weeks.

Read some books. Catch up with friends. Go for jogs/walks.

What instrument kind I pick up and learn in three weeks??? I always wanted to learn an instrument. I just never gave myself a chance to do it.

harmonica, that's what i play u get a book out of the library, hte harmonicas cheap...hey after u learn it we can have a GYE band!!!

That's a great idea!! You play the harmonica also? Any other instruments you would recommend?

DRUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMS but htey're expensive.

guitar's good they get you into a lot of social stuff if u want it - pple always invite u 2 kumzits and bonfires if u offer to play  if u live in toronto i can give u mine it's sitting in my room doing nothing.

Personally, I usually update around once a week, at least this attempt around. I'm focusing much more on reaching out to others, on being positive, being more into good things like learning and davening with more kavanah, and I find that as we grab on to good feelings, the negative tend to fall away to some degree.

I do like waking up, though, and saying, "Hey, I'm already up to Day 20! Last time I thought about it I was only at Day 12!" Big jumps are fun and keep you motivated, but I don't like doing it every day because then it isn't that exciting, and it seems to go slowly.

Hatzlacha and good luck! By the way, I'm also a 22 year old if that makes you more comfortable to talk with me.

Figured I would get back on track with the forum. It's been 23 or 24 days clean. I'm kind of happy that I have lost count of the days because like I mentioned before for me it was never really about the count but about the ability to live one day at a time. The reason I decided to write today was primarily because I've recently had tremendous battles with lust. The way I've been dealing with it is to admit my powerlessness over and over to God. This is the first time I have used this approach and mindset and I can honestly say that it is working for me. Not just to make me stay clean but to relieve my struggle and inner conflict. This mindset allows me to deflect the fight that lust is having with me and let God fight the battle for me. Has this worked for anyone?

No, it works sometimes, but sometimes it's really powerful and you need to call up a buddy. That's my experience, but maybe I'm not giving admitting powerlessness enough effort. Have a great night!

My addiction has gotten the better of me lately. Ironically, what I have learned from this past week of acting out, is that the addiction gets worse, every time you act out. The more time you go without acting out the easier it gets. The first couple of days are always the hardest, but it does get easier.

keep on trucking