WhatAboutToday?

DETOX DAY 8 Just updating! Current Streaks No games - 8 days No Porn/Masturbation - 8 days Healthy Social Media Usage - 8 days Morning Routine Light stretch and meditate - Done Brush Teeth - Done Skin Care - Not Done One amazing thing that happened/I did today Worked in the garden with my mother. Goals for today - Singing and guitar practice (relaxed session, no goals) -->LEISURE<-- - Watch one episode of the TV series. -->LEISURE<-- - Read -->LEISURE<-- Goals for the FUTURE - I want to record a song with just voice and acoustic guitar in 3 months (06/09/2020) - I want to get back to running in 5 months and run a 5 km race by the end of the year (not sure if it's gonna be possible due to the pandemic, but whatever) (06/11/2020)

DETOX DAY 6 Late entry again! Yesterday was a messy but good day. I woke up and stretched in the morning but forgot to medidate. I was rushing to do other things and didn't take my time to organize my thoughts. I received my diet plan in the afternoon and already bought almost everything I need to follow it for maybe 1 week and a half. My intention is cooking means for the whole week every Sunday, but since yesterday was already Monday I had to cook yesterday at night. I also started exercising again, so I was pretty tired yesterday for practicing music or studying other stuff. Today I had to cook some things too and I'm going to exercise right now. Not really a lot to talk actually, but I'm gonna try to finish my other tasks today. Current Streaks No games - 6 days No Porn/Masturbation - 6 days Healthy Social Media Usage - 6 days Introducing Good Habits Wake up, stretch and meditate - 6 days (GOAL: 7 DAYS) One amazing thing that happened/I did today Started the diet and started exercising again! Goals for today - Begin programming course - Good day of work - Study (finish the first chapter) - Singing and guitar practice (finish the module 1 of the acoustic guitar course) -->LEISURE<-- - Watch one episode of the TV series. -->LEISURE<-- - Read -->LEISURE<-- Goals for the FUTURE - I want to record a song with just voice and acoustic guitar in 3 months (06/09/2020) - I want to get back to running in 5 months and run a 5 km race by the end of the year (not sure if it's gonna be possible due to the pandemic, but whatever) (06/11/2020)

ColdTurkey works really well! I went the route of blocking software too. I think it works better for me because the blocker forces me to "forget" the habit of openning Instagram or another website a thousand times a day. Once I'm no longer trying to open it several times a day, the blocker is no longer needed, but I keep it, just in case. Nice! I totally agree with you. We have expectations too high when it comes to be interesting to other people. And if we are not the funnier/smarter/cooler person in the group we judge ourselves in a very harsh way. My brain would think that everybody is judging me for making a fool out of myself. But the truth is that everybody is flawed. In general people are actually concerned about themselves, not judging other people. I was trying something a while ago to break this pattern, it's called "exposure therapy", have you heard about it?

DETOX DAY 5 Yesterday was good. Relaxing. Not too much urges. A healthy day, I would say. I practiced the guitar in a joyful way, I was even able to sing along it! I've never been able to do that before, I think that's a good sign. I'm diving into this week with a really positive mindset. I'm gonna get back to exercising at home today following a diet made by a nutritionist - this gives me extra motivation. I don't have the diet plan yet but I think the worst part is gonna be cooking and eating in time, since I don't eat much junk food already. Going to cut alcohol too, to boost results. I'm also feeling a bit more more well disposed to other activities in general, like studying and working. I'm delaying for some days starting a programming course, but I think this week (possibly today, who knows!) I'm gonna start it. I'm trying not to over demand myself, trying to let things follow a natural flow. I hope today is a good day to all of us! Current Streaks No games - 5 days No Porn/Masturbation - 5 days Healthy Social Media Usage - 5 days Introducing Good Habits Wake up, stretch and meditate - 5 days (GOAL: 7 DAYS) One amazing thing that happened/I did today I had a relaxing day in general! Goals for today - Begin programming course - Good day of work - Study (finish the first chapter) - Singing and guitar practice (finish the module 1 of the acoustic guitar course) -->LEISURE<-- - Watch one episode of the TV series. -->LEISURE<-- - Read -->LEISURE<-- Goals for the FUTURE - I want to record a song with just voice and acoustic guitar in 3 months (06/09/2020) - I want to get back to running in 5 months and run a 5 km race by the end of the year (not sure if it's gonna be possible due to the pandemic, but whatever) (06/11/2020)

DETOX DAY 4 Quick update today, not in the mood to write too much (not in a negative way, I'm actually excited to do other stuff). Current Streaks No games - 4 days No Porn/Masturbation - 4 days Healthy Social Media Usage - 4 days Introducing Good Habits Wake up, stretch and meditate - 4 days (GOAL: 7 DAYS) One amazing thing that happened/I did today Music practice! Goals for today - Begin programming course - Singing and guitar practice - Hair care - Watch a movie with family Goals for the FUTURE - I want to record a song with just voice and acoustic guitar in 3 months (06/09/2020) - I want to get back to running in 5 months and run a 5 km race by the end of the year (not sure if it's gonna be possible due to the pandemic, but whatever) (06/11/2020)

I have the same problem! I'm only able to be myself in groups that I'm really comfortable with. The more people, the worst. I think it's like an anxiety of being judged or something like this. Before the quarantine I was taking acting classes to adress that (extremely uncomfortable situation for me) and it was promising.

Very nice video! Something that hitted me hard in the video was what he said about how things close to the inner edge of your comfort zone can easily become uncomfortable if you stop challenging yourself. It's sooo easy to let go of good habits you just incorporated to your routine.

DETOX DAY 3 A late post today, as it's already past noon. The cravings for masturbation have been the worst, but I'm holding strong. I'm missing games but not that much. The main problem right now is that I feel bored and, at the same time, I don't have the drive to start something really productive. I reflected about it yesterday and my conclusion is that I plan a lot but my execution is poor. In many times it feels like I do things on "auto pilot" (when gaming it is visible that I do that). I just shut off my brain and execute things in an unproductive way. I think it is important for me not only plan what I wan't to achieve, but the steps that will take me towards my final objective. A lot of times I just plan something like "I'm gonna practice the guitar today for 30 minutes", and I just end up stalling during the 30 minutes. I think I need to make a conscious effort to plan something like this "I'm gonna finish lesson 3 today and I'm gonna practice what I learn in it for 15 minutes", that's much more productive. That's a daily effort that I need to exercise in studying languages, music, working, in everything. I bought a microphone yesterday, it should be here by Thusday/Wednesday. I want to record a song (certainly a cover) with just voice and acoustic guitar in, let's say, 3 months. Bought an online acoustic guitar and an SQL course too (why not? haha). I should start them today, I'm just a little tired right now from all the cleaning. About today, so far the day has been good. Woke up, stretched, medidated and deep cleaned my room. I'm feeling well. I always have the impression that an organized environment has a positive effect on my mood. During the rest of the day I'm gonna try to stay away from the computer, unless I am doing the courses I bought. Current Streaks No games - 3 days No Porn/Masturbation - 3 days Healthy Social Media Usage - 3 days Introducing Good Habits Wake up, stretch and meditate - 3 days (GOAL: 7 DAYS) One amazing thing that happened/I did today I had good reflections on what I want for myself for the future. I also had an appointment (virtual) with the nutritionist. I'm excited to see how following a diet will affect my body. Goals for today - Begin programming course - Singing and guitar practice Goals for the FUTURE - I wanna record a song with just voice and acoustic guitar in 3 months (06/09/2020) - I wanna get back to running in 5 months and run a 5 km race by the end of the year (not sure if it's gonna be possible due to the pandemic, but whatever) (06/11/2020)

Nice! I actually like the idea a lot hahahaha. While you are travelling, working or simply out of home, you can leave the little thing at home and voilà - a perfect app blocker.

Good points @WorkInProgress. I have the same feeling about dreading something, especially if I think I'm not able to complete that task (and usually I am). I think I gotta pay attention too if I'm really withholding instant gratification or just replacing the gratification source. I was wondering if maybe a 24 hours domanine detox would help in that regard, maybe to get an insight. Another thing that I'm questioning about my first detox is that I didn't find a hobby that really engaged me. I don't think I really worked that hard to make it work. Maybe the easy rewards that games provide bugged my brain. I really like music and singing, but I just can't get in a state where I'm as hooked to music as I am to games or a good TV Series. Thanks for the tips!

DETOX DAY 2 Yesterday was an ok day. Although I didn't play games and didn't waste time in social media my day wasn't really productive. I'm having a hard time to focus on tasks. Today I'm gonna try to begin working earlier, as I notice that my focus is better in the morning and decreases throughout the day. Then, by the end of the afternoon, I can do things that are more "fun", like having a singing practice or reading a book. Not nearly as estimulating as gaming, but whatever. It's incredible how much stretching makes a difference in how my body feels. I started the quarantine stretching everyday, just to gain flexibility. By then I noticed that my stiffness and general pains/cracking subsided a LOT, but after the almost 2 months binging games they returned even worse. But then, after stretching just for 2 days I'm feeling good again. Sitting too much is terrible for our body. Meditation is going fine too, but I gotta find guided meditations that please me. I personally don't like if the person that is guiding talks too much, and a lot of the material I find is exactly like this. I liked meditating just to soft music too, but I like guided meditations as well. Good day to everyone! Current Streaks No games - 2 days No Porn/Masturbation - 2 days Healthy Social Media Usage - 2 days Introducing Good Habits Wake up, stretch and meditate - 2 day (GOAL: 7 DAYS) One amazing thing that happened/I did today I read a lot yesterday. Had a good singing class. Goals for today - Begin programming course - Good day of work - Singing practice - Get in touch with the nutritionist

Great first step! Quick question: In addition to feeling terrified, don't you feel a "relief" doing this? I sold everything game related I had and, although I had a strange feeling while doing that, it was a also liberating experience. Just wondering haha Keep it up man

Yeah, no problem! So, I'm using an App called "Blocksite". It has an extension for Chrome and an App for Android (don't know about IOS, though). The way I do it is pretty simple: Regarding websites, I block them in the app/extension by url (you set up a list). The free version of the app has an option for blocking adult content, so it's easier to block porn too. Since I experienced some buggy behaviour when blocking the urls of facebook and instagram, I block them too using the keywords (there is a function in the app where you add keywords that can't be present in the urls you visit). I do that just to be sure, maybe the bugs were corrected already. After that, I set a password to protect the app/extension from myself. I have a pretty bad memory, so if I set a complex enough password and write it down in a notepad buried in my computer I won't remember it a few hours later. In addition, I'm using an App called "AppBlock" just to block YouTube in my phone. I don't know why but BlockSite doesn't block apps very well in my phone. I don't protect it with password since I'm able to control myself in that regard. Regarding Android, if you go to Configs/Apps and Notifications/Time Usage (not sure if it's written exactly like this, free translation to english) you can check the time you spent during the day in every app you opened. If you click in any app in that list you can set a timer to limit the time usage. Of course this method is not perfect, since I can simply workaround the password, uninstall the apps or remove the time limitter, but it's like an "extra layer" of safety. A program that is pretty hardcore for blocking stuff, but it works property only for PC is called "ColdTurkey". It's a little more demanding to work around it (I had to do it because of a bug hahaha). I think that's it, if you have any other doubts you can ask me!

DETOX DAY 1 Yesterday was a good day. I always get a good feeling when I start something "new", although it's the second time I start a complete detox like this. It was surprising for me that I didn't have the same intense cravings I had when I quitted games the first time. I guess I don't like gaming that much anymore, it's more of a time filler. Before my relapse I went through a not so nice breakup that took a big psychological toll on me, and I was watching Netflix and Youtube for more than 10 hours a day in the ocasion. Again, a time filler. I gotta investigate a little deeper why I do that. Anyway, I managed to set up every blocker I need in my phone and computer and limited my daily Instagram time usage to 20 minutes (this time may be adapted in the next days but it's good for now). I discovered that Android has a funcionality that allows you to limit the daily time usage of every app installed in your phone, besides tracking the time you spend in every app on a daily basis. Looking at my history with Instagram and Whatsapp, I discovered that some days I would spend 4 hours in both of them! That was surprising for me because this 4 hours are spread throughout the day and I don't even notice that I waste so much time in mindless scrolling. After I spent my daily 20 minutes I noticed how every now and then I pickup my phone and automatically open the app for nothing, just to see that it was blocked for the rest of the day. As usual, I felt really bored throughout the day, especially at night. Watched a movie that I liked called "Fruitvale Station", good movie. I read a little before sleep too. I had some trouble to fall asleep. I'm getting some alergies from the weather but I don't think that's the sole reason. Usually in this situation I would stand up, fap (almost always to porn) and get back to sleep, and usually it works. Obviously it's not because I would be horny, it's just because of the dopamine release. I know that this habit is gonna subside with time, but sometimes it's scary as fuck how porn messes up our brain. I actually find it harder to avoid porn than any other thing. Today I woke up and decided to introduce two things to my morning and, possibly, evening routine: stretches and medidation. Stretches because I noticed how gaming took a toll in my body - my posture while gaming everyday is terrible. I'm positive that I developed an annoying pain that I feel sometimes in my hip because of it. So I think it's fair to begin by reversing the damage. And meditation because I wanna be more mindful of my feelings, my pains and my general self. I never medidated everyday before, so I'm giving it a try. Current Streaks No games - 1 day (YAYYY) No Porn/Masturbation - 1 day Healthy Social Media Usage - 1 day Introducing Good Habits Wake up, stretch and meditate - 1 day (GOAL: 7 DAYS) One amazing thing that happened/I did today Accomplished all my goals for yesterday and even read a little.

Congrats on your almost 30 days, keep it up! Yeah, I was thinking about it yesterday, I gotta discover the causes of my relapse so that I can identify triggering situations. I believe it's related to the escapism that games provide. But I'm not sure if I'm escaping from work, studying, social relations, I don't know... I gotta dig deeper into it. Thanks for the tip and success to both of us!