I haven't used a smart phone in a year and I have my laptop blocked like you wouldn't believe. I have so many different blockers on my laptop and internet and have worked on it for well over a year to make it near impossible to bypass. So much stuff blocked, like porn, social media, social media content sharing, dating sites, certain apps, app downloads, vp ns, anoymos search engines, proxy sites, Youtube safe search is permanently locked on, Locked dns, so I can't change my dns to anything else. The dns I use is clean browsing family dns, which in my opinion is the best dns if you want to avoid sexual content on the internet. They have went to a lot of work to block everything possible that could be sexual content. I obviously have added a lot of other things to make it even more secure. Someone else is the administrator of my computer and holds the account and password for every blocking system. Like you honestly wouldn't believe the blocks I have, and I doubt much people will have this level of blocks. But I honestly feel like a complete weirdo. How can I go through my life forever living like this? I feel like when I have access to any of this stuff I relapse. The blocks are working. I feel like a complete weirdo because I also don't use a smart phone. What would I say to a woman? People are going to wonder why your not using a smartphone.
I understand your worryings, I've been there as well. I think that you shouldn't put all your faith and all your endeavor on the blockers. They are pretty useful and even necessary, but they themselves aren't meant to be used alone!! Blockers are only for the extreme moments! You should work on the way you think, the way you see your problem. And for that, I recommend A LOT of reading, maybe here or on other sites. You should first learn that you are addicted because involuntary you choose pornography to be the medicine for the emptiness you feel. You should first learn how to manage your emotions and the loss of interesting in pornography will come naturally. However, that's not easy and it takes a lot from you, so, be patient and do your part by always reading about your problem and seeking for external help. And do not give up. I believe in you.
You're not a weirdo. Everyone approaches these sorts of problems differently. I didn't have to use any softlocks in my own recovery, but that doesn't make you weird because you're using softlocks. If that's what helps, then that's what helps. You don't have to. I believe it's fully possible for you to recover without using any of the extreme measures you have taken thus far. I actually believe that an addict will always find a way to bypass the blockers (even the extreme ones you've set up for yourself) if he loses control. The real battle is with your mind, not with your computer. You're not a weirdo for that. I feel like I would be a lot happier if I didn't have one, but I need it for my work, unfortunately. You don't have to explain anything if you don't want to. It's your choice. You can just say "I just don't use a smartphone". Don't worry about that, man. Just focus on your recovery. If you end up dating someone for a while and they absolutely have to know why you don't use one, you can just tell them the truth. If they don't want to see you anymore when they know your reasons for living the way that you do, then it's really their loss. If you feel like you have nothing to hide, you will be set free.
Wow - I wish I didn’t have a smart phone sometimes. You don’t have to worry - you are a “smart-o” not a weirdo! You are taking steps to avoid a VERY powerful and seductive addictive behavior / pattern , good for you. I would say who cares what you would say to a woman say whatever the hell you want she will either like you for who you are or she won’t. Be confident and comfortable with the fact that you are man enough to own up to a very powerful addiction and you are man enough to want to be rid of it / free of it. That’s a respectable thing. Don’t worry about any of it you are making smart choices to protect / reboot your brain that being more of a man than I was for 37 years of PMO addiction. Just keep on going down this path and eventually porn will be far enough behind you it will lose most or even hopefully ALL of its influence on you. Good Luck!!
Hey man i didnt have a smartphone for a few months and i didnt have internet at my house. I told one girl and she just stared at me it was hilarious. When i didnt have a smartphone i was on fire. I was so much productive and talked to every person i laid eyes on. You sre really disciplined though bro. Dont feel like a weirdo because you are a spartan warrior. Gokd luck
You want to talk about what is weird? At a place I used to work at, a bunch of coworkers organized a get together afterward at a pub. I was in your shoes (and still am) with a blocked computer and flip phone. I show up at this place later....everyone is sitting down in a circle around the table...everyone is staring down into their phones. I tried talking to a couple people I didn't know and it felt like I was pulling teeth. I left after about 30 minutes. THAT is weird!
Seriously, don't worry about talking to a woman about this. If you tell her the truth, she's either going to accept you for who you are or she's not worth your time.
Oh. I actually thought your story was going to end with you refusing the social outing and spending 3 hours beating off your bishop at your computer. Now that would make one weird.