Day 90 - Success Story! Even with Anime Video Games! This streak was different, in that I was playing anime video games. Some say this is like playing with fire, or a porn substitute. So, I had to change my mindset as not to get easily triggered. I tried treating the NPC girls ethically like they were real people or players. The NPC girls were really cute & sweet. It even had a virtual dating mode. It felt like exposure therapy for all the real world rejections over the years. I'd roll my eyes when their responses & excuses sounded a bit too familiar. Mostly, I'd get flashbacks of the good times in my previous real world relationships. I find it interesting using video games as a form of therapy. I'm not saying this is the solution to PMO. Nor do I propose a life of escapism, and having virtual relationships with NPCs. But in the end, it would lead back to reflecting on real world relationships. Some related stuff I've been reading & listening to: Reality Is Broken: Why Games Make Us Better and How They Can Change the World MMOs from the Inside Out: The History, Design, Fun, and Art of Massively-Multiplayer Online Role-playing Game MMOs from the Outside In: The Massively-Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games of Psychology, Law, Government, and Real Life Ethics and Video Games Podcast Looking forward to day 100!
Congratulations on 90 days! That's amazing. But based on everything i've learnt, speaking to NPC women seems like a substitute. HOWEVER, as you found it 'therapeutic', I am curious to see how you find it translates to your interactions with women irl.
Hey man! If it works for you, then it works for you! Gotta do whatever works for us! Sometimes it might be contrary to popular opinion! Congratulations! Were there any other positive habits? Like working out or eating healthy or journaling and stuff?
Sounds like an elaborate excuse to allow yourself a porn substitute, however if it works for you, who cares, just make sure you're honest with yourself otherwise you will fall again sooner or later
Thanks for the congratulations! Yeah it's a grey area, whether it's a healthy/unhealthy substitute for porn, or for real women (especially toxic women). But, I should say that near the end of the 90 days, I didn't feel the need to complete all the virtual dates, or even play the game anymore. I even deleted my anime streaming account too, as I didn't feel a need to continue watching & re-watching it. It felt more like a stepping stone than a way of life. IRL, I noticed I'm more comfortable, open, and honest talking to random women when I go out shopping or at other events. Usually about normal everyday stuff, not necessarily hitting on them. It could be the anime game, or it could just be NoFap. Thanks for your feedback!
Thanks for the congratulations! Yeah, seems the whole "watching anime & playing video games during a reboot" is a very controversial topic here, and seen merely to substitute one dopamine addiction for another. So, other positive habits was I got FitBit Premium, and I'd keep track of my health: heart rate & variability, exercise, dance, yoga, cardio, mindfulness, meditation, sleep quality (REM/deep/light) & sleep schedule, weight, etc. Eating, at home, I'd try more Japanese & Asian cuisines, fish, seafood, seaweed, kelp, eggs, tofu, miso, green/oolong/jasmine/thai/chai tea. Also, I'd stay away deep fried stuff and use my air fryer instead. At work, I'd bring veggies & fruits in season, mixed nuts, & cheese (so I don't have to use the microwave). Journaling, mostly here for NoFap stuff. At work/home/phone, I'd use MS OneNote to keep my thoughts together & hyperlinked to each other. Lots of self-directed CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy). Hope that helps! Thanks for your feedback!
Yeah, I had to excuse & allow myself this time around, and see where this one went. Just checking my journal... it was one heck of a rough time. Thanks for your feedback!
That's good to hear! I didn't want to judge or jump to conclusions. I think it could just be the NoFap, and that gaming is a lesser addiction at least. Glad to see you're doing better I think your story is important as well. An indication that you don't have to go cold turkey.
Thanks! I appreciate everyone’s honest feedback here. (As long as it’s not trolling or flamebait) I’d say the point of my story is it’s possible to enjoy anime & video gaming while doing NoFap. But if it’s being used as a Psub to MO… then going cold turkey would be better.