One Year Challenge Completed

Today I have been free from PMO for one year and I don't regret doing the NoFap challenge. Before doing the challenge, I had many problems with porn and excessive masturbation. I was addicted and it was controlling many aspects of my life. This is the first time since my early childhood that I abstained from masturbation for a year.
Overall my body reacted positively. Most of the time I experienced a cycle with periods of strong urges (sexual tension?) and periods of "flatline" in between. But after the first 50 days of NoFap, I started having wet dreams and I keep having those on average every 1 - 2 months. My body has adjusted to its own rhythm and it feels so much better like that. The periods of sexual urges are also times of increased self-awareness and energy that can be positively transformed.
After my 90 days I gave myself the goal to complete my thesis. And my thesis is completed! There were days when I thought that is impossible. I'm quite sure that doing NoFap helped me concentrate and get things done. I promised myself that If I defend the thesis, I will take a long walk and hike the Pacific Crest Trail. This dream is coming true - I have received the long-distance hiking permit and look forward to being on the trail in May!
Doing the challenge and being part of the NoFap community also opened my eyes. I am less afraid to say NO to other people, and I don't always need to please them. Although I always knew about inhumane conditions in factory farms, it was only this summer that I decided to honor my values and stop eating all animal products. Not everybody agrees with my decision, but my real friends respect it. Thanks to this decision I also found new friends who share my concerns.
Some effects of my long-term PMO addiction are still there. I don't feel safe on the Internet without a porn filter. I am not sure that I will ever be able to have sex. The last time I attempted to have sex was two years ago and my porn addiction combined with being in an abusive relationship made it a disaster, and the distant memory still haunts me and makes me nervous. One positive effect of NoFap is that I was able to get completely disconnected from that past relationship. Time and more testing will tell what is the will of God for my life, and even if I never get married, I can live my life fully and use my energy to make the world a better place.
An important factor in succeeding in the one year NoFap challenge was finding other ways of satisfying the body's physical needs. Getting more sleep definitely helped. Also running, doing other sports, and going to massage therapy really helped my body relax. Finding a balance between me-time and people-time has been equally important. I noticed that I need regular time socializing and connecting with other people as well as regular time being alone just for myself. NoFap is a challenge and it does require effort. But for me, its overall outcomes have been positive. One of the best ways to take care of my body is to continue practicing NoFap for the rest of my life.