Just dropping in to leave a little update. Joining this community was exactly what I needed. I feel way more motivated than before, and I feel like I actually have a fighting chance. This morning I actually felt productive waking up. This was the first time I ever had the urge to make my bed after waking up, which I feel is a good sign. I was also more productive in my lectures and job as well, with a lot more self esteem. Although things are going well, I am aware of the slippery slope and potential triggers. I’ve already deleted Instagram and Twitter, so the media I consume now is motivational content from this forum, and educational vids on YouTube. I’ve also improved on my meditation. As a whole, I am excited to attack this addiction and conquer it. Can’t wait for the Perfection Nevada Challenge!
I think I’ll use this Journal topic to keep my updates and take notes on what I’ve learned.
It’s good to see that you’re doing well!
With God’s grace, anything is possible Brother. Keep relying on God, and you will be transformed continuously into someone new.
Remember not to count the Days.
Just do your best.
You actually have more Energy than if you succumb to it.
It’s a hobby (edit: or rather an Ailment) that drains Time, Money, and your Life.
I don’t Wish it on my Worst Enemy.
Cold Showers, and Productive Distractions help alot.
Thanks, I’ve been working on not paying much attention to the days since that increases sucess. I will try not to surround my entire life around it.
Day 9:
As mentioned on my last check in, the urges are slowly trying to creep into my thoughts. Fortunately, I am experiencing predominantly actual attraction, rather than arousal from internet sources. Although my arousal is natural, my brain has a slight thought to go to my room and release all of my hard work and progress only in a matter of a few minutes.
Things I will need to do:
• Increase performing in activities that require the reward system in my brain to react in a natural way. (I’ve already experienced this in a few ways: Having successful social interactions, completing assignments, praying, listening to classical & gospel music, and participating in adrenaline pumping activities, (like driving at high speeds 
).
• Continue limiting the amount of time on phone. I currently use this app, brainbuddy, and my YouTube algorithm is safe since its full of educational content. Instagram amd Twitter are the things I deleted. I re-download Instagram yesterday because I have alot of friends who text me. Unfortunately, my brain had the urge to automatically start scrolling, which I instantly refused to do due to the extreme lack of productivity that results in. Plus, I feel like it contributed to the increased urges I am currently experiencing.
• Start working out again. I want to get back to the routine I had before. My first exam week last year really threw me off, but now that the weather is warming up, this feels like a new chapter, and I want to be physically fit as well as mentally healthy.
My current goal is 10 days, and I know the devil likes to creep in at the last minute. I refuse to give him the satisfaction this time, for I am a striving child of God and only wish to serve him. My body is a living temple, and each time I give into PMO or any primitive act, it slowly crumbles its foundation. Stay strong everyone, and hold strong in faith.
Day 15:
This officially marks as my highest streak! My longest run was 14 days. Throughout the final days of reaching the big 15, it started off easy, but then became more difficult at around day 9. But I want to let you guys know that are struggling right now to hold on. The moment I reached day 15, it was like a weight lifted off my chest, I had renewed faith in my chest. I realized that I can go beyond my previous self. We are in a intense competition with ourselves, and I plan to beat all of my past versions by a landslide.
When a forest catches on fire. Mostly everything that was once essential is destroyed. Wildlife, plants, water; however, in due time, new life will grow on the nutrient-rich ashes of the previous ecosystem. Throughout this journey, I plan to burn down my past of lustful intent, poor social skills, and primitive like ways, (hence the new name of this journal). With this, I plan to take the experience from my past self, and use it to help me grow as a new and improved human being!
Take this as a message for yourselves as well. We are all burning down things that were once essential to us, and regrowing something new. The essence of our past selves may still exist, but only to provide the energy for our new growth! Burn down your forest brothers and sisters, for a new and healthier one awaits!
Love to read this, great achievement !
All of my hard work down the drain. 22 days, I felt invincible, and so quickly I was falling down an endless pit. Am I giving up, no way. 22 days was the furthest Ive ever gone!!! This experience has given me hope, although I have failed so quickly, it still won’t discourage me. I am truly sorry to all of you though. I was in a very weak state for the past 2 days and feel foolish for not being stronger. I will keep you guys update, pray I don’t get a seconds relapse. 
We’ve all been there, I’ve been getting encouragement from your streak and journey so thank you
Np bro. I’m rlly happy to hear that because your journey has also motivated me. So thank you aswell. 
Apr 18:
Ended up failing again. This time it was such a stupid fail with me having my phone in bed and going down a rabbit hole. From now on, I will not have my phone with me in bed, or the bathroom, or maybe even outside to avoid random scrolling. I am not devastated, just disappointed that I fell for such a easy to avoid trap. It was an exhausting day today though, and I guess my brain wasn’t as alert as usual. This is still a learning experience, and I did better than usual considering I rarely make it to 5 days after a relapse. Back to square one I guess.
Last thing I want to do is feel down and sorry for myself. That would cause stress to my body and possibly lead to another relapse.
Avoid staying up late night…
Apr 19:
Don’t rlly know whats wrong with me. Failed once again so easily. Idk if its because of stress over upcoming exams, or just lack of motivation now. What do you guys do to motivate yourselves to do certain things such as homework, meditation, exercise, and especially prayer. At the moment, my body is ready to forget this whole rewire process, but my heart is refusing to loose hope.
I’m going to stop having my phone with me in my room since that is a death trap. I am also going to start limiting the amount of time I use instagram. When I first started this journey, I simply deleted the app and my brain felt clear; however, I began to socialize more, and insta was the main source of communication everyone I met used. I want to delete the app, but I rlly do like talking with my friends and sending stupid reels. The main issue arises when I begin doom scrolling, which I avoided at first, but somewhere down the line I started doing it again. Most of my recent relapses have been caused by a random reel connecting to one of my triggers leading me down an hour or 2 long rabbit hole up until I relapse.
I am certainly not giving up, because I feel a spark of hope being apart of this community, I just think I need to get my head on straight, because this past week was a stressful one, and I want to conquer this next week.
I have also been inactive on the forum for a while due to my busy week, so maybe thats another issue. Coming here daily and reading your stories kind of kept me in track.
Apr 25:
Today is day 4 of my streak. I tried something different today, and didn’t let my phone charge in my room where I slept. I woke up this morning with a clearer mind not being able to instantly hop on the phone. I’ll continue to do that and also work on limiting my phone time. I have also been working on taking up healthier eating habits. Today I tried natural oat crunches rather than normal cereal. It tasted great, and I felt great eating it. The rest of the day I spent in the woods of my Grandparent’s house. I spent that time exploring, connecting with nature, and partaking in physical activity. Now I am back at home and relaxing on an outside garden swing. Things are finally looking hopeful again.
Just upgraded my arsenal of weapons for this issue. Its nearly impossible to even get around and give into an urge with thess apps. Plus, BlockerHero allows me to block any source that may randomly have a trigger such as YT Shorts. Thx @wool for informing abt the app, its definitely a powerhouse. Instagram has finally been deleted for as long a I need it, and the app will block any recently downloaded apps. We’ll see how well this streak goes.
