{"id":923,"date":"2018-11-08T02:00:23","date_gmt":"2018-11-08T02:00:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lifehackerguy.com\/?p=923"},"modified":"2022-02-04T07:18:41","modified_gmt":"2022-02-04T07:18:41","slug":"30-days-no-porn-no-masturbation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lifehackerguy.com\/30-days-no-porn-no-masturbation\/","title":{"rendered":"30 Days No porn No Masturbation"},"content":{"rendered":"

When mentioning this challenge to friends of mine over a coffee I immediately got one of the following two questions:<\/p>\n

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  1. Why would I do that?<\/li>\n
  2. You have a problem with porn?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Often these questions were asked with a quizzical look on their face. <\/p>\n

    I have no doubt that you\u2019re reading this thinking the same and with the same look on your face \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n

    To very quickly explain, I don\u2019t have a problem with either masturbation or porn<\/strong> (well I believe I don\u2019t). So why abstain and why write about it?<\/p>\n

    \"Guy<\/p>\n

    Well I remember reading a few years ago about this challenge and the benefits of abstinence and decided to give it a go.<\/p>\n

    Hopefully you know by now, this blog is all about experimenting with my routine and making what I hope to be lifelong productive worthwhile changes. I\u2019ve never tried abstaining before<\/strong>, so I thought what the heck let\u2019s give it a try!<\/p>\n

    To admit publicly that I regularly watch porn and masturbate<\/strong>, is a little tough though (sorry wife, sorry mum). <\/div>\n

    Good mates of mine of course won\u2019t be surprised and my female friends I would imagine don\u2019t ever think of it (and I mean EVER!).<\/p>\n

    There is still a taboo around porn and masturbation<\/strong>, even today, even though many people enjoy both.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Before starting this challenge, I was really curious about the daily and weekly as well as the physical and mental affects. There was a little niggling thought that it was possible I was addicted to masturbation and didn\u2019t even realise it! Did I need to do it to relieve stress? or was it healthy for me? Was it mostly a time filler? Or just a habit? <\/p>\n

    If you don\u2019t want to read all the article (maybe you\u2019re checking this out between porn?), you can check out the results at the end or click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    NobNOM, NoFap, NOBNOMGOM \u2013 what?<\/h2>\n

    As with everything that gets a little attention these days, a number of variations appear fairly quickly all with their unique approach to a problem. This is no different!<\/p>\n

    The abstinence challenge has been linked to a number of levels, with each taking a somewhat bizarre acronym.<\/p>\n

    Tim Ferriss<\/a> first coined the phrase NOBNOM, which means simply \u201cNo Booze, No Masturbation\u201d. These go hand in hand (pun intended) as having a few drinks makes it a lot easier to have a little fumble. Of course, there is a limit, drink too much and you\u2019re struggle to even find it!<\/p>\n

    It was from reading Tim\u2019s blog that I first came across this challenge<\/a>. When I first thought of giving it a try I wondered if it would help with my drive on improving focus.<\/p>\n

    It\u2019s worth letting you know that one of the reasons Tim started this challenge is most likely to help promote a company he was working with at the time<\/strong>, \u201cLift\u201d a motivational self-help app. His challenge recommended using the Lift app to monitor your progress \u2013 I won\u2019t say anymore other than Tim is a marketing genius \ud83d\ude09<\/strong><\/p>\n

    The NOBNOMGOM community<\/a> takes this to another level in that as well as abstaining from alcohol and masturbation you\u2019re to add \u201cgoing out\u201d and \u201cmeditating\u201d. The thinking is instead of just wallowing at home sober and being frustrated you get out and be sociable.<\/p>\n

    For me I enjoy going out and spending time on my own, so this isn\u2019t really important for me. Just ask the wife, no one needs to persuade me to go out!<\/p>\n

    The NoFAP community is a little different in that they provide services and help with porn addiction. The community is massive, with over 360,000 members in their subreddit. Clearly this is an issue that resonates with many people.<\/p>\n

    If you\u2019re struggling with porn or any sexual addiction<\/a> then this is a service that is well worth checking out. <\/p>\n

    What is my 30-day challenge?<\/h2>\n

    Very simple really, I am to abstain from looking at any porn in any form and any masturbation for 30-days. Now I say simple, but as it\u2019s been a habit for many years now this is certainly going to be a challenge.<\/p>\n

    I should make clear that the challenge doesn\u2019t mean I can\u2019t have sex<\/strong> \u2013 this would be too harsh on the wife I suspect. <\/p>\n

    Only kidding, but seriously sex is allowed and as a consequence of this challenge should be even better according to reports by previous participants.<\/p>\n

    I often go for a few weeks without drinking alcohol, so I wasn\u2019t too concerned about this one. Instead I focused on the NOM part of the NOMBOM for my challenge.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    I started the challenge on the 1st October 2018 and therefore the end date the 30th so abstinence stops on Halloween good timing.<\/p>\n

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    Benefits of Abstaining from Porn and Masturbation<\/h3>\n

    I\u2019ve briefly mentioned the benefits but haven\u2019t discussed these in any real depth. So, what are the benefits of stopping porn and masturbation?<\/p>\n

    The main benefits of having a masturbation-free month is better energy, focus, and productivity.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Include some medical research here there must be something out there maybe even include benefits of knocking one out as well.<\/p>\n

    On a final note, I have noticed that over the years my will power has decreased significantly. Following through with this challenge has helped me regain not only some discipline, but strangely a better sense of perspective, which is a big win in my book.<\/p>\n

    If I can manage to refrain from masturbating for 30-days, then what else can I achieve?\n<\/p><\/div>\n

    The first week!<\/h2>\n

    The first few days were very easy as I was travelled back from the UK to Malaysia with my mum. So not only was there little opportunity (I just didn\u2019t feel the urge at 30,000 feet \u2013) but I was incredibly tired from the jet lag.<\/p>\n

    After the 3-4 days though it got a little tougher.<\/strong> Why then? Well I got more and more time to myself, and more importantly solitary laptop time.<\/p>\n

    I found that there was a real temptation to open up private browsing \u2013 a side note does any guy every use this for buying presents for their wives? There is an incredibly funny sketch from Dara o\u2019 Briain on the use of Private Browser.<\/p>\n

    “My favourite member of the army core, Private Browsing” – Dara o\u2019 Briain<\/p>\n