Has anyone exchanged PMO for other form of addiction?

Even good things can be addictive, and I don't know that it's ultimately good in any absolute sense. I think people get addicted to AA for example. You can argue it's better than alcoholism, but I think it uses compulsive neuropathways as well if you're just acting out of compulsion.

In a way it's a neat trick to switch addictions for something that causes less harm - in the beginning. But it ends up never addressing the root issue or the core of it, which is your state of mind. It makes sense in the beginning because you may use the relentless aspect of addictive behavior to support working a recovery program, but this is a fairly mindless approach as all addictive compulsions are.

 

I have read that as you give up an addiction it is very possible to pick up a new one. Might be a good idea to limit the time of the day and amount of screen time that you are watching. I have to leave my phone and iPad in a different room and kicked the TV and computer to a public area

 

I noticed that I have spent more time working out. It helps me to keep relaxed and is a huge thing I have been doing in my fight against these vices. I have to make sure I am not over doing it. That is true virtue lies in between two extremes. The one of being lazy watching P and no working out and the other of spendignway too much time at the gym. So one hour with cardio and lift is enough for me. I have the will power to stick to it.
I think you need to find your balance, a mid point, of an activity.

 

Truly both go together pal. There is where will power comes to stick to the plan one has set for success. I know I can easily sabotage myself. The thing is o avoid it and stick away from triggers

 

Yeah you got some time going by your counter so I'd say it's a good chance you are ready to uproot the tendency.

This may be a bit abstract but hear me out: I think it has to do with how we understand time, especially with media addiction. It just keeps going and going, like a bottomless pit there is no end to it right? I say the healthy way of understanding time is not only that there's a beginning and an end to everything, but you recognize it's all connected and synchronized. When we watch videos or browse hours on end, during that time there's a ton of basic needs that we are likely neglecting. Maybe we eat, but we are more likely to eat crap. And eventually we need to sleep, but it's totally off balance and it affects how well we work and do everything else.

At its core addiction is kind of like cancer in the body. Instead of cells that work with other types of cells in playing its role it has an outsized role and doesn't give a crap about what everybody else is doing and just multiplies. In traditional recovery culture people understand this on a social level, which is why they talk about being right sized and do stuff like take a moral inventory and amends, but I think that co-operative, interdependent dynamic needs to be recognized on ALL levels. Because you know there are people who stopped drinking and gained 50 lbs, or they are addicted to exercise or work. It's not about balance in some arbitrary time counting way, but when you're in touch with the different needs of body, mind, socialization etc. the feedback you get automatically informs you what you need to do in each moment.

Going back to time, there's a time to take care of everything. We'll most likely need a schedule in the beginning because our instincts might be virtually non-existent at least in certain areas so we are not getting the internal and exernal feedback signals or don't know what they mean, but once we get a sense I think its' a matter of respecting where thing are at in the bigger picture. So we need a plan, there are certain things you need to take care of towards the beginning of the day (why I like the Flying Start Challenge) and other stuff to wind down for sleep and rest. I take the one day at a time slogan in terms of circadian biology. It's not a matter of watching the clock but understanding there is a certain order and a bigger picture, even if it's just the period of a day. Even if I didn't have access to the clock at all at this point I would follow the basic pattern, it may be interesting to see how that turns out actually but socially we need to synchronize with other peoples schedule, though I try to do that with natural systems more starting with sunlight, followed by stuff like right timing of eating and exercise. I know it wouldn't seem like it has much to do with addiction but once you are established in it and experience it it makes sense.

 

Hey buddy
I experienced the same effect as well. I think it's part of the process. Your brain is trying desperately to get his dopamine shot, so it uses every way possible.
I'm still struggling with this too but my strategy is to try to monitor everything.
You can also trick your brain by trying good dopamine releasing activities.
Good luck for the rest of your journey buddy

 

I say just start with one thing at a time, you may not be doing it perfectly but keep at it - and do it on time. Once that becomes regular add another and on and on.

I started with a very conservative version of intermittent fasting, it was 12 hours I didn't even watch WHAT I ate but I would stop at a certain time. Eventually I cut out snacking, and at this point it's about 9 hours. (9 eating, 15 not) Going to bed early has been harder but I'm WAY more consistent than I used to be, and I actually got it down as far as waking up at the same time in the morning, no alarm. At this point I am working on a consistent morning routine, and having a regular exercise schedule. Ideally I either get out in the sun or turn on my full spectrum light in the right time in the morning too, if it's overcast and weather does not permit. I have a little one that's basically portable since it's USB and I can plug it into my powerbank.

Years ago you couldn't convince me I would be doing this or tell me how it felt, but now I can feel the benefit. The thing with any kind of abstinence is there's no distinction made since it's about NOT doing something, but with stuff you have to do from day to day you need to make distinctions and when you do them is a huge part of that.

And this is not a popular idea even though there's more recognition now than before. Look at working out, if there is a right time then why have a 24 hour gym? There are certain times where you don't want to be working out, it is not how the body functions. If you could slept at random times at random intervals or go for an extremely long stretch like several days and just sleep later and function just as well then sure, but that's not the case. There is a rhythm to life.