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Established Personal Goals after Quitting Porn

Discussion in 'Success Stories' started by Pastor Preston, Aug 8, 2018.

  1. Pastor Preston

    Pastor Preston Fapstronaut

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    Hello, I am Preston.

    I have been pornography-free for 37 days. I have updated my meter to include my personal goals, rather than just pornography. I must confess that I masturbated using new techniques a few times in the past week, so this could be viewed as a reset in that sense.

    First of all, I am a 28 year old Christian male attending a Christian university with the intention of becoming a pastor. Pornography is coming between me and God. So 37 days ago, I signed up for this website after years on the PMO cycle. Make no mistake, I think PMO could be viewed as a symptom of the problems so many people and I experience: the fatigue of life as a university student, training for a career, social anxiety, and indescribable loneliness and negativity.

    I am so thankful to God that I have quit pornography. My new goals still include staying away from pornography and masturbation. I have experienced new temptations sense quitting porn. I have an increased desire to use different masturbation techniques and to actually have sexual relations. My new goals involve staying away from these things. I have a new temptation to try alcohol, drug, and tobacco related products, so my new goals involve abstaining from these things. I have not yet tried either, thank God.

    On a positive note, I have a new desire to get along better with my family. My new goals involve continuing to hone that relationship. I have grown comfortable with being alone, mostly. I have grown comfortable being a leader, and have started my career in ministry. My new goal is really to continue growing as a church leader.

    Finally, I would be in remiss if I did not include social anxiety. I am open to encouragement and advice relating to this aspect of myself. I have grown significantly better at communicating with women, but I still yearn to find my one and only. The big barriers with this endeaver are purity and social anxiety. I am growing comfortable with myself and who I am. Two final goals: One is to maintain this trend's upward course. The second is to continue growing closer to my savior God.

    New Goals:
    1. Completely quit PMO
    2. Completely abstain from sexual release until married
    3. Abstain from alcohol, drug, and tobacco related products
    4. Grow closer to family
    5. Grow as a church leader and advance my ministry career
    6. Improve social anxiety, especially as it relates to women
    7. Grow more comfortable with myself and who I am
    8. Continue to grow closer to God
     
  2. Hey that's some pretty decent goal setting ! Thanks for sharing so honestly !! May God bless you :)
     
  3. JoePineapples

    JoePineapples Fapstronaut

    Good luck with your goals. Lots of resources on here, lots of Christians too.
     
  4. Uncomfortably Numb

    Uncomfortably Numb Fapstronaut

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    With God in your corner you don't need my encouragement! Well done
     
  5. Pastor Preston

    Pastor Preston Fapstronaut

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    To be honest, I feel like I really pour onto this website sometimes. I think the writing helps me stop thinking about PMO.

    This is contradictory to what most of my peers seem to believe. I have friends that claimed to quit it with just praying. Some gave up their data plans or wifi. Some used apps on their phones. Some joined Christian recovery groups. I would go insane without data or wifi, and I know myself-I would figure out a way around an app on my phone. The Christian recovery group in my experience, made my porn problem worse, because those guys would be in church talking about worse stuff than I've even read on this site so far (ha ha, not funny).

    [trigger warning] I would want to try some of what they talked about and would remedy that desire by just watching regular porn.

    So, getting on here has definitely helped me with my problem. The original goals of no porn or masturbation led me to trying some techniques that I didn't consider masturbation at the time, but I have revamped my personal goals so that I can be the man that God wants me to be! Thanks, guys, for the encouragement! 41 days without pornography, SCORE! 4 days toward my new goals, HALLELUJAH!
     
  6. Pastor Preston

    Pastor Preston Fapstronaut

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    [QUOTE="4 days toward my new goals, HALLELUJAH![/QUOTE]
    More like 6 days! So excited, guys!
     
  7. bootstrap

    bootstrap Fapstronaut

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    I admire your resilience and dedication Newgrip Preston your goals are truly admirable and of a nature that I could not personally achieve. I am only a very recent applicant to this site, but what has struck me already is the dedicated and meaningful support that is readily given by its members. I wish you all the best in your endeavors to be strong and courageous in the eyes of God, but I would hold onto the fact that the Lord is a refuge for those that seek succour. Keep the faith brother.
     
  8. Pastor Preston

    Pastor Preston Fapstronaut

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    Thank you for your encouragement! I must say, there is a reason that I celebrate 4 and 6 day victories. If I can personally achieve these goals, then I assure you, it is a miracle only made possible by God :) If you have 16 days without P and M, He's in your neighborhood, too brother!
     
  9. Pastor Preston

    Pastor Preston Fapstronaut

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    I just thought about this. The top three of my goals are the only ones that really could cause a reset if I fail at them. So, from now on, I will make it a goal to report on the others here.

    Grow closer to family: I call my mother a bunch. My Dad and brother aren't exactly "call" kind of people, but I usually talk to them when I call Mom. This is better than it was for a long time.

    Grow as church leader: Since I quit P, this has been happening tenfold. Obviously, I can't reveal much about my church because it is also my employer.

    Improve social anxiety: I haven't had an anxiety attack sense last fall when a girl I liked sat behind me. I spilled a bottle of water and acted like that was the reason. Quitting P and M, I think, helps to prevent this reaction.

    Grow more comfortable with myself: Well, I'm sure this one's obvious at this point ha ha!

    Grow closer to God: I really felt Jesus a couple of nights ago when I was praying, like He was standing right there!
     
  10. Pastor Preston

    Pastor Preston Fapstronaut

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    I am at the 1 week mark with these new goals! This is definitely not easy, but with God, it is proving to be possible. Praise God!
     
  11. Pastor Preston

    Pastor Preston Fapstronaut

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    I think I experienced a brief flatline this past week. Now that it is over, the temptation has begun. Holding strong, so far. Here's to 8 more days, one day at the time!
     
  12. Pastor Preston

    Pastor Preston Fapstronaut

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    I can't believe that I am at 19 days! I am not going to lie to you guys, these goals are tough. Faith in Jesus Christ has been the only way that I have made it this far. This website has been a blessing to me. Here is how I am meeting my goals:

    1. 46 days without Pornography
    2. 19 days without PMO
    3. Doing much better at controlling my desire to use tobacco/alcohol related products. Have not used them!
    4. Growing closer to my family. Just visited home two days ago.
    5. Growing as church leader. Taught youth yesterday. Helping pastor to plan church events.
    6. Social anxiety is improving. Talked to a girl I like yesterday. Had lunch with a friend, today.
    7. Definitely more comfortable with myself and who I am.
    8. Definitely growing closer to God, Amen! I talk to Him much more thoughtfully since quitting.

    Thanks for your support, everyone!
     
  13. GlorifyGod

    GlorifyGod Fapstronaut

    You are doing great Preston, so much better than I. I have fallen many, many times. Check out my journal if you want detailed info!

    Bless you!
     
    Gods_princess and Pastor Preston like this.
  14. Pastor Preston

    Pastor Preston Fapstronaut

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    Deleted Account likes this.
  15. Monk Man

    Monk Man Fapstronaut

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    good luck with finding a true relation with your true god.
    i wish you all the best.
    i would like to suggest you to get married as soon as you reboot is done.
     
    Pastor Preston likes this.
  16. mountainman55

    mountainman55 Fapstronaut

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    Great to read all this man! Way to go on making goals and sticking through them despite the inevitable ups and downs. Keep it up!

    One encouraging thought on the social anxiety: We all have this at some point and I've had my fair share too. One thing that helps me is when I feel like I want to talk to someone but am nervous: count to 3 and start saying what ever comes to mind and smile while you do it. You might surprise yourself and find you had nothing to worry about in the first place. Best of luck man
     
  17. Pastor Preston

    Pastor Preston Fapstronaut

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    Thanks for the encouragement, guys! I've got some good advice coming in from @mountainman55 and @Monk Man. This makes me think, what will it be like when the reboot actually takes full effect? I feel some of the early-on effects, and I undoubtably like what I'm experiencing!
     
  18. Pastor Preston

    Pastor Preston Fapstronaut

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    I am excited to say that I am 30 days toward meeting my new goals!

    1. 67 days without Pornography, whoa!
    2. 30 days without PMO, amidst horrible temptation.
    3. I dreamt of using tobacco and vape products last night... :(. Of course, that is not actually using them, but man does that make it tempting... For that matter, wet dreams are killing me. I guess they're necessary. Maybe, I'll take the ever popular cold shower before bed, and see if that helps.
    4. Growing closer to my family. Mom really brightens my day with keeping in touch over long distance. She still has to text good night. I wasn't positive about that, to begin with. Now, it is something that I interpret as a good thing, a blessing.
    5. Growing as church leader. It keeps me busy, but I'm doing it for Jesus!
    6. Social anxiety is improving. Talked to many, many girls at a university fair this week. Maybe some prospects :)
    7. Definitely more comfortable with myself and who I am.
    8. Definitely growing closer to God, Amen! Quitting porn has helped big time! Praise God!
     
  19. mountainman55

    mountainman55 Fapstronaut

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    Way to go man! Keep it up! Good things ahead
     
    getoff and Pastor Preston like this.
  20. Pastor Preston

    Pastor Preston Fapstronaut

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    Thanks for the encouragement, brother!
     
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