Question about urges...

I'm a new member here, but long time reader and it's amazing what you can learn from other people's experiences.
In terms of urges, especially in these early stages (I've been through it officially, 3 times) the key is to find immediate focus on something else. Whether you pick up a guitar, make a cup of coffee, go for a walk into a public area... anything works. Or ideally - jump straight on to NoFap and start reading / writing!! The longer you sit and think about whatever it is the sets your urges in motion, the harder it gets.

As soon as the first risky thought pops into your head, you have to consciously say NO, and immediately find that new focus. Don't ask why, don't think of another way around it, don't feel bad for yourself - just take action. You'll be surprised how quickly you can suppress that initial urge and get on with your life again.

My failures have come from allowing myself to overthink my urges after a long time of resistance, and I've let those inner PMO demons gently take control again without meaning to - leading to relapse.

The second you feel an urge, or have an unnecessary thought - say NO in your mind and IMMEDIATELY find that alternative focus!

This is my third attempt, after 2 fairly successful periods of 30+ days. And this time for me, there is no turning back.

I wish you the best of luck man.

 

I had my first urge driving home tonight after work. I thought of a video I used to watch and I started getting an uncomfortable urge in my stomach. It got a little more intense and really got bad when I pulled up to my place, I guess my mind thought I was in the clear since I was home. But when I was driving home and when I stepped in, I kept telling myself NO! We are NOT going down this road! I came in and immediately went into my routine: changing, preparing dinner and watching tv. I also did jumping jacks, pushups and crunches, which definitely helped a lot.
It also helped that I've amassed about 250+ episodes of the Simpsons on my dvr. I found a favorite episode of mine and put it on as background noise as I prepared dinner. It also helped that every time the image came in my head I started thinking of something else, mostly about the promise I made to myself on December 31st. I just kept telling myself "this will pass."
And then I fired up my computer and immediately came here and started reading again and going into my nightly routine of finding a new job. The urges suck and I got my first unexpected twist tonight, but I made a promise to myself to not live an empty life anymore. I'm too old for this.