In the time I’ve been on this site, I’ve seen quite a few posts from guys asking how to stop watching porn. Suggestions often include researching the harmful effects of pornography and setting up filters and passwords. While these should be done, they are only a part of the solution. There is more that you can and should do to get to the root of the problem.
Destroy your pornography
Don’t just throw it away, but destroy it. Set a bonfire with your printed material and take a sledgehammer to your DVDs. Remove all traces; if anything is saved on your computer or phone, delete it and clear your trash bin. Reformat the hard drive if you have to. Unsubscribe from the websites and CLEAR YOUR SEARCH HISTORY. This way, when you’re searching for something legit, your search won’t auto-populate with a website or performer.
Go to bed an hour earlier
Turn off your computer, TV, and phone for half an hour beforehand. Leave them in a different room (or at least out of arm's length) and simply lie in darkness for a while so that your eyes can adjust to the darkness. Most importantly, it removes temptations.
Develop a healthier lifestyle
Everything – body, mind, and heart – is interconnected.
BODY – Go out for long runs or walks. Join a local sports league. Spend more time at the gym. You could also try a new hobby that requires discipline, endurance, and focus, like boxing or fencing. Don’t indulge in anything that will harm your body.
MIND – Pursue intellectual growth. Open new pathways in your mind to ease the stresses of recovery and withdrawal. Listen to classical music. Read poetry, history, physics, philosophy, or theology and spirituality. Consider keeping a journal.
HEART – Volunteer at a food pantry, homeless shelter, retirement home, or crisis pregnancy help center. In addition to looking beyond yourself, you will get to know people more personally.
As much as possible, avoid anything triggering
When you’re web browsing and you see lingerie or swimwear ads, refresh the page so that something different shows up. Inventory your movies, music, and TV shows and avoid those with sexual content. Take a different route to and from work or school so that you don’t pass by the provocative ads or lingerie store that you normally do. As for the GAG community, avoid Sexual Behavior, Sexual Health, and How Do I Look? You might think that you're just admiring a great body or helping a girl build self-esteem. What you’re actually doing is making yourself vulnerable and rationalizing it. There will be a time when you can do this, but not right now.
Know what is in fact triggering for you. Think of it as your "trip wire".
Discipline your media usage
Some people recommend watching other things, but I advise against this. You’ll still be idle and vulnerable to boredom, which can lead to a relapse.
Clean up your vocabulary
Stop using the slang terms for the most intimate parts of our bodies. This might not seem like a significant step, but it really is because you will elevate these most sacred parts of the body to a greater sense of propriety. Don’t describe women as “hot” or “sexy”, but with more wholesome, affectionate, and humanizing terms like “pretty”, “beautiful”, “graceful”, or “elegant”; words that animate the heart of a woman rather than just her body.
And for what it’s worth, avoid innuendos.
Self-denial
You could take cold showers or eat only two slices of bread at mealtime (just a couple of suggestions). This should be done regularly and with intention, meaning at least once a month; if you wait until after a relapse, this becomes a punishment more than a discipline. Furthermore, you’ll be able mentally prepare yourself. As you become more accustomed, do it bi-weekly and then weekly; do it on the same day each time.
Have an accountability partner
You can’t do this alone. Meet with a friend and share your struggles. Have them give you a hug, encouragement, advice and yes, forgiveness if you’ve failed. This should also be done regularly. Use accountability software like Covenant Eyes or Net Nanny.
If you are Catholic, turn to the Sacraments of Confession and Holy Communion, especially if you’ve been away from them.
Aspire to and embrace your masculinity
See yourself as a “man” rather than a “guy”. Few things in this world draw out masculinity better than femininity. Place images of your mother, sisters, cousins, or female friends on your computer or phone. You should also seek inspiration in authentic masculinity. It could be represented by a real or fictional man. He should have a good and consistent moral code and strives to be better than he is. When he’s speaking, you’re listening. When you see him, you think “that’s what I need to be”. He could be General Patton back from the dead or a more humble and gentle soul. You could know him personally or not. In any case, the image should inspire you.
Practice humility
You cannot change the evil that you face, but you can change yourself and how you face it. In a very real way, humility strengthens you because you allow yourself the freedom to grow. You have the freedom to acknowledge and safeguard the vulnerabilities of your heart and mind. You have the freedom to accept responsibility so that you can make the changes.
Gratitude
Be thankful for every day of freedom, whether it’s one day or a thousand. Gratitude helps you to acknowledge the steps that you’ve taken and gives you hope for the future. Lastly though, be thankful in general. Why? Because gratitude is a solid defense against the negativity and anxiety that causes you to seek relief in things like pornography.
CONCLUSION
It’s estimated that there are twenty pornographic websites for every normal one. The porn industry boasts an average annual revenue of $14 billion (USD). One site is even trying to integrate itself in society by paying for college tuitions and running “family-friendly” promo campaigns. Many seem convinced that all men watch porn. There is much to rationalize, but you must not allow yourself to be deceived. You are not at the mercy of your desires. You have a choice. It might be difficult, but it is neither impossible nor hopeless.
I will soon explain what I’ve said from a spiritual and theological perspective. Though I sincerely respect our religious differences, I do not feel that what I’ve said will be complete without this angle. Make of it what you will. I’m simply making it available.
Most Helpful Guy