The Mini Challenge

General Discussion
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512

Monday

@Forodwaith @Forerunner @BruceLee
Thank you for posting @Gk-00
I missed you bro, of course you’re forgiven.
I love you, and thought you might be struggling at the moment.

Like a flat-line, it’s common and most experience it, I’m sure.

The tunnel always takes away motivation.
It dulls our soul and we temporarily become like *zombies - in my recent experience.

We must attempt to light a flame, with God, or by whatever means, or hold onto something,
Grab the rope tightly and climb out.

Thank you so much for sharing Matt Fradd’s web program. Grazie mille!
If you ever want to talk deeper about anything, like religion, relationships, work etcetera,… I’ll listen, and if you ever want to ask a question, I’ll do my best to answer. You can always pm me.

Challenges - none this week :+1:
I did a few push-ups,
Went to Mass this evening,
Watched a few frag YouTube vids,
Some stress with work - I sinned for a few moments, by letting negative thoughts spew out of my mouth :zipper_mouth_face:
But it’s okay. I’ve got a few plans and tricks up my sleeves that I’ll get through this final week :wink::pray:

Thanks be to God, always

Failure is not a bad thing, it is a chance to learn
@Karan050 :wink::+1:

“Praise to the Lord, let us offer
our gifts at his altar;
let not our sins and transgressions
now cause us to falter.
Christ, the High Priest, bids us all to join his feast, gathered with him at the altar”

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Thank you, I’m going to check that out. I’ve been in the tunnel two, let’s help each other get out. It’s an awful place.

My most recent relapse was drivin by a sense of meaninglessness. I came into agreement with that and sought to escape and try and find meaning I’m a smaller story. In a way, I’m looking for protection, provision and love. In another way, I’m looking to protect myself, using these mechanistic ways (internet porn) to try and gain these things as a sense of security.

I need to push a little harder into the true story of Christ. I need to let his love, protection, and provision swoon me. I need Jesus.

My challenge for this week is to keep my phone away from my bed in an electronics prison. I also want to get a battery for my alarm clock so I can use that rather than my phone.

Day Zero Reboot

@anon67854825 @Gk-00 @Forerunner

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Tuesday

@anon67854825 @Forerunner @Forodwaith

All good. Today was a busy day, I’ve been at university the whole day.

Finally did some exercise! It has been more than one month since the last time, I felt so weak! I did some push-ups and sit-ups as usual. It’s time to rebuild confidence in myself, exercising surely helps!

Thanks to God for today. This evening I am using an app blocker on my phone to help me through the evening and avoid PMO. I will use it for some time if it helps for safe nights :slight_smile:

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@anon67854825 Moving post brother.
@Gk-00 Thank you for sharing that course - I’ll check it out. I pray it helps you.
@Forodwaith Glad to see you seeking the true Source of protection, provision and love! We cannot hope to find what we desire in pornography and masturbation; they are only the wiles of the enemy.

Tuesday

Keeping up the momentum - thank GOD! I’m feeling very positive.

Morning Routine: :white_check_mark:
Wake up by 6AM: :white_check_mark:
Three Important Tasks: :white_check_mark:

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Tuesday

@Forerunner @Forodwaith @Gk-00
Sorry, its been a very long day, and it’s very late right now - I don’t know if I have any thoughts, or feel I should rest my energy and get a good sleep, so I can get up early feeling fresh.

I feel good at the moment, but it did cross my mind to reset, purely because I want to hunger, or fast.
Low streaks are good, because it feels more immediate to keep asking and returning to God.
But we can do this all the time in everything.

I want confession regularly.

I haven’t prayed much today, nor exercised.
I watched some YouTube.
I haven’t had time to think about companions, or nofap journey, reasons, truths, ideas, opinions
And I haven’t asked, made a plan about new challenges, or thought about making some firm plans about them.

Thanks be to God for today, there was some argumentative, stressy moments, and later on I got a glimpse of some truths about me.
I can make it awkward for others to critise me, and in doing so, I’m preventing myself from learning and growing :pray:

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Wednesday

@anon67854825 @Forerunner @Forodwaith

All good. Today I studied at home in the morning, and in the afternoon I was busy with other stuff. Went to Church but did not manage to go to Confession, hopefully I will have a chance tomorrow or in the next few days.

Tomorrow I will be at university all day, I want to use my time to the fullest and be more productive!

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Wednesday

Really glad you’re doing well @Gk-00 :+1:

Haven’t watched your recent video yet @Forerunner I look forward to it.

Hope life is treating you well @Forodwaith my dear friend.

It’s been a really long work day :pray:

There’s been no Mass recently in the mornings because there’s been lots of midday funerals, and to be honest, I’m not fond of Mass at another church - it’s earlier so it’d great, but it just feels drab, and it’s not the same clergy that cover my local cathedral and the smaller church… but then again, a lot of the congregation are lovely Keralans I’m familiar with. The Priests aren’t bad or anything, but it does feel like just going through the motions.

I should pray for myself to see beyond that, then pray for them :sweat_smile:
maybe I’ll make it a new routine to visit that church on the days when I can’t go to my regular churches. It’s earlier, and maybe it will teach me patience, kindness and some wisdom :grin::+1::pray:

I have a little shrine in my room, but rarely have I prayed there for a long time, let alone the rosary.

I’m far from perfect :pray::sweat_smile:

Allow ourselves to be imperfect, others, and situations - allow mistakes, allow growth, allow the journey, allow God to guide.
Strive for goodness in things. Amen

Thanks be to God for each moment

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Post for Wednesday:

Going strong, another good day. Grateful to get some consistency going once again.

Morning Routine: :white_check_mark:
Wake up by 6AM: :white_check_mark:
Three Important Tasks: :white_check_mark:

I’ll check in this evening with today’s update, hope you’re all doing well @anon67854825 @Forodwaith @Gk-00

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Thursday

All good, been all day at university. I also found a moment of prayer in the evening, trying to seek God more and rebuild a connection to Him.

Did not exercise, will do it tomorrow.

Praying for you guys in my Rosary, every day.
@Forodwaith @Forerunner @anon67854825

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Thursday

You’re awesome @Gk-00
Thank you dearly for your prayers :pray:
I’m quite moved - and really grateful.
I haven’t prayed - but worked a lot.

I did some gym and steam yesterday, and I may do some press-ups etcetera later before bed.

Some new challenges are starting to take shape in my mind, and will put some effort in to creating myself some new challenges.
I could make a challenge weekly or monthly, even yearly.
Spiritual retreat once a year? Holiday? Be more daring and out-going once a month, weekly?
There’s a lot of stuff I don’t do. I don’t dance, I’ve never been to a salsa class. I’m not that interested, but why not? Why not do it? It could be really fun. When was the last time I went on a really long walk?

Hope all are well
@Forodwaith @Forerunner @Gk-00
Thanks be to God for today, and every day

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Day Two

My phone has had issues which have kept me off of it which has both been stressful (the problems themselves) and helpful (less time on/with phone). Although I did spend a lot of time trying to fix it and think it may be fixed now. Anyway, :no_mobile_phones: challenge before bed has been going well.

Temptation still lurks but I’ve been able to put it to death more quickly since a powerful encounter I had with Jesus in my bedroom the other night. Praise God for that!

@anon67854825 @Gk-00 @Forerunner

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@Gk-00 Thank you for your prayers, my friend. Praying for you daily as well.
@anon67854825 I’m thinking of picking up a weekly dance class as well :grin:
@Forodwaith That was a blessing man! Those spiritual encounters are to be treasured! Praise GOD!

Thursday

I woke up on time without an alarm for the first time in a very long time, years maybe. Great feeling. Raging upset stomach and I went back to bed later, but I still managed to get in a 3.5km run somehow.

Morning Routine: :white_check_mark:
Wake up by 6AM: :white_check_mark:
Three Important Tasks: :negative_squared_cross_mark:

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Friday

I did some exercises, press-ups, Tai Chi
I feel it helps clear the mind, especially “threading the 9 pearls”
Extremely simple, easy and calming.
I could do it for hours.

Was the big day yesterday and it went really well. I should feel relieved and wanting a break :pray:

The past few weeks, noticing female attention has come to mind a lot :pray:

@Gk-00 I’m really finding use in Matt Fradd’s project.
For those who don’t use it, it’s a 21 day program, where you’re asked to think/reflect/answer questions about your journey and a daily basis.

How are you guys?
@Forerunner @Forodwaith @Gk-00

Do you guys use any app that limits Web usage?
I think I should take into consideration how much time I spend on my phone.

Thanks be to God - you’re beyond everything :pray:

My friend asked, “is God like a crutch for you?”
I knew that line, and wanted to say “no”
But the truth is, Yes and Amen,
He is my crutch - he is my stronghold, my strength, my comfort, my rest.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart; and you will find rest. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

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Saturday

Forgot to post yesterday, wanted to do it this morning but ended up forgetting it.

All good. Today was a day of voluntary work and resting, did some exercise as well.

Wanted to go out with friends this evening but ended up not having anything planned and stayed at home :frowning_face: I feel that I need to work more on cultivating my relationships and having the initiative myself in organising activities with friends, life is not only work and improving myself, I want to be more often in social situations, meet new people.
I also would like to start dating at some point, hopefully the opportunity to get to know a girl will present itself eventually! :muscle:

@anon67854825 glad that you are enjoying the Strive program, I am finding it really helpful as well, the reflections I am going through in these days will be useful material for my future journey for sure!

@Forerunner @Forodwaith @anon67854825

Praying the Lord not to fall again and have the strength to keep going, every day is His gift :pray:

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Saturday

Praying for you guys tomorrow
@Gk-00 @Rebooter81 @Forodwaith @Forerunner

@Gk-00 me too. Great Post :+1:
I feel very much the same.
More social and to have a romantic relationship.

Today, I had to rest a lot after all the work,
I can’t believe it’s done and finished.

I met a good friend from our Young Catholic Adults group for brunch, usually there’s more of us, but just he and I today.
I’ve been so caught up in work recently I’ve really neglected my friends, but look forward to seeing them more often. I briefly mentioned the app and nofap with my friend. I hope to be there for him if he needs it :pray: I think I need to have an accountability partner I can talk to in person too.

New challenges
I want to be more social - today and last night I was outgoing, and very talkative with strangers in shops, at the cafe.

I want to seriously calm down web usage - there’s so many other things I could be doing.
At the moment I only use Rewire, Gmail, youtube, and very occasionally scroll threw Facebook.

Facebook? :thinking: I could be more social on there, but I don’t know, maybe it’s good I rarely use it.

I want to keep praying/exercising daily
I skip these somedays - don’t have time /or just forget.
I want to find a new morning routine. I’m not ready to put it into words yet - so I will just see what works :pray:

Thanks be to God for everything :raised_hands:
You alone are The Holy One :pray:

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I’ve been struggling and fell yesterday and today. I stopped by quickly after a bad web search and didn’t enter any sites today so I’m not counting that one (I was very motivated by not wanting to break my streak etc so I want to somehow reward the fact that I stopped). But if I do that again it will be a relapse.

I’m at a place where I can see more of the compounding difficulty of getting out of this addiction when you just lol a little or free the problem through “less harmful” channels. It affects I am and my orientation towards holiness is weakened. I don’t want that. I will go to the divine service today and repent. Keep me in prayer as I will also remember all of you in prayer.

:no_mobile_phones::+1:

Day One

@anon67854825 @Gk-00 @Forerunner

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@anon67854825 Some apps to help with phone usage are Stay Focused and Digital Detox. Stay Focused lets you block particular apps at certain times during the day, or limit the amount of time you can spend on them every 24 hours. Digital Detox can block access to everything for a period of time, so you completely get away from using the phone.

Definitely good to have a companion on this journey you can speak to in person. It’s a real blessing.

Love this!

@Forodwaith Glad to see that you stopped in time brother. That’s commendable, for sure.

The days on the counter matter, but I’ve put far too much emphasis on them. There are other important concerns, as @hellojaani says, we need to display effort towards changing our lives each day.

How was my walk with GOD?
What did I do today that mattered?
What seeds did I plant for tomorrow?

These are questions I want to have good responses to each day.

Challenges for Friday:

Morning Routine: :white_check_mark:
Wake up by 6AM: :white_check_mark:
Three Important Tasks: :negative_squared_cross_mark:

Challenges for Saturday:

Morning Routine: :white_check_mark:
Wake up by 6AM: :white_check_mark:
Three Important Tasks: :negative_squared_cross_mark:

Challenges for Sunday:

Morning Routine: :white_check_mark:
Wake up by 6AM: :white_check_mark:
Three Important Tasks: :negative_squared_cross_mark:

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Sunday

@Forodwaith @Forerunner @anon67854825

All good. Went to Mass in the morning, in the afternoon I went roller-skating to the park with a friend, had a good time and some exercise as well!

@anon67854825 I am also debating whether social media can help me to be more outgoing or not, I never used social media but i’m thinking about making an Instagram account.
Sharing social media could be a useful tool to keep in touch with new people I meet, instead of asking their phone number which may seem a bit too much intrusive these days, especially if they are girls :rofl:
Of course I need to be aware of the distractions that Instagram provides, so i’m not sure yet, but if it could be helpful for my social life why not?

Thanks to God for another day, gaining some momentum in my streak again finally! :muscle:

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Monday/Week 44

:negative_squared_cross_mark: 0/7 Wake up 4:30
:white_check_mark: 1/7 Affirmations
:white_check_mark: 1/7 Meditation
:white_check_mark: 1/7 Exercise

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Sunday

Was a great day.
Mass in the morning and in the evening :+1:
Can’t remember if I exercised.

Monday

Today I really struggled, but I remembered a lot of things, and cried.

I’ve caught a cold and feel exhausted,
But it was a good day, Thanks Be To God :pray:

We had a business meeting,
And general clear up together - I was really moved by one of my friend’s attitude and help towards the plans my close friend and I have.
Thank you Lord :pray:
Help me to always see things as you see them :pray:

I was social at the weekend. I also met a friend I hadn’t seen in a while, spoke briefly about the app. Tomorrow evening I’ll see other friends and play music with them for a special service.

I want to maintain friendships as my new challenge. I also want to be more social in my immediate surroundings with people who I see regularly.
I want to keep this confidence, in God alone :pray:

I went to Mass this evening and I’ve made time to reflect before bed at a reasonable time.

How are you guys?
@Forodwaith @Gk-00 @Forerunner
I prayed for you guys and @Rebooter81
We each have our different stories, you’ve always got my love and support, I know I need it too.

I’ve had so many thoughts and ideas today, but I feel I’ve said enough for now. Trusting God, and trusting you all, that I’d never put myself above you. You may not realise, but you help me in so many ways without you even realising it :pray:

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