Do bikini pictures count as a relapse?

My two cents:
First, I think it depends somewhat on your own situation. I found it was really important for me to write out my definition of porn, and keep revising it, as my addict can get very creative. Writing it out has made a huge difference to reduce in the moment bargaining with myself.

Second, I'd recommend reading the thread on "Get educated..." by William. In my case, any imagery that I use for solo sexual stimulation, I have to consider porn. I didn't want to be this rigid but I've learned that using even "innocent" materials fuels my addictive cycle. If I unintentionally come across I don't beat myself up. But I have to be rigorously honest. If I seek it out or stay with the material to continue the thrill, then for me I consider it as porn. So it's more based on how do I react or use materials than what society defines as porn. Good luck!!!
Mark (10 days no PMO)

 

Are you seeking out bikini pictures? If so, why? For me, that's dangerous territory. I recently had to close my online dating accounts because so many of the women post scandalous pictures and I found myself spending a lot of time looking at them, finding more, and began fantasizing. It was starting to be a porn substitute. Incidentally, my cravings went through the roof with all that. Today has been a lot better not viewing those images.

 

How you define and act towards your addiction also reflects how you are willing to change as an addicted. The fact that bikini is or not real porn, is not the question. The question is how and why did I ended up there and, even more important, will you be honest enough to admit where and when did the obsession begin. Ending the cycle of addiction requires to end the cycle of lie. The same lies alcoholics tell themselves when they accept to have one beer instead of getting drunk. You only can admit where you are as you are the one to decide where you go.

 

If you're randomly encountering them and then dismissing them, it's not porn
If you're actively seeking them out, it's porn.

Only you can define what a relapse is however.

The thing with nofap is that you start becoming starved for porn that even that most normal pictures that most people don't consider porn at all can be porn to you. I think that's a good thing.

 

Good posts in this thread.

Here's what I think:

You have to be honest to yourself and feel how the bikini pictures affect you. Does it feel (too) good?

In my experience, there's one thing that indicates it's not good for my recovery; everytime I see a picture and my heart "skips a beat" or takes my breath away slightly, then I know it's too hot for my dopamine-thirsty mind.

If you feel any quilt, then it counts as a relapse too. Whenever you see a pic, that might arouse you, just stop finding excuses to look at it and close it. No quilt, no dopamine, no relapse.

I feel strong enough now to watch movies that contain a little nudity and sex, but ones that don't have neither of those two in the spotlight. But I don't watch bikini pictures, 'cause I know the demon behind that idea.

So you have to be honest for yourself. You are the judge. Peace out.

 

You have to judge it for yourself, as others have stated. I have decided that any porn-like or suggestive pictures that lead to that can be visual edging. You are, basically, like an alcoholic who drinks the beer, swirls it in his mouth and then spits it out. Eventually, he will start drinking it again. So I say stay away from the bikini pics.

 

It's anything that will stimulate you. So some people can just mark it off. Others it's a major problem.

 

Some really good responses here.

I think it is not the nature of the images that is the problem, it is how they make you feel, and you more than anybody else should know when an image is a bit too much for you, if you feel it exciting you then it's not helping.

Here's something than happened today.... I was sat at a table in the pub with my wife and I picked up a trashy newspaper, because the story on the cover caught my interest. as I started to flick through the rest of the pages numerous models in underwear and bikinis started to appear all over the pages, I tried to accept the images for what they were and just ignore them but I could feel them stirring up my old desires. Eventually I folded the paper and tossed it back onto the table in disgust (or at least that's probably what it looked like to my wife) in reality I tossed the paper aside in anger that the images had so easily frustrated my over inflated sex drive (which is especially tender at the moment 11 days into my recovery)

 

I think it is too dangerous to mess around with. Probably if you have to ask the question, its a problem.