Excessive exposure to pornographic content can cause long-term negative effects on the brain. It can lead to various side-effects of the negative nature in an individual’s life. Some of the side-effects being addiction, relationship problems, erectile dysfunction and many more related problems. Which is why it is advised by experts to consume such content, strictly in moderation. If you find yourself constantly craving porn, it might be a sign that you have a slight porn addiction. The more porn you consume, the more your brain ends up associating it with dopamine. This increases your craving for it, and thus starts the vicious cycle of porn addiction.

The first step in such a scenario would be for you to accept the fact that you have an addiction. But, remember that this isn’t the end of the road. A porn addiction can be cured, it does take some effort, but it is not an irreversible addiction. Individuals from all over the globe have successfully recovered from such an addiction. Research shows most of them owe their recovery to a process called rebooting.

What Is A Reboot?

Rebooting is a term coined for recovering from pornography addiction and similar associated symptoms. It refers to the process of abstaining oneself from all forms of pornography for a sufficient duration, in order to recover from the negative effects of porn addiction. Rebooting can sometimes also include abstinence from masturbation and even all forms of orgasms for a long amount of time.

However, thanks to the surplus of information on the internet, the process of Rebooting has often been over-complicated. Due to the lack of fact-checking, a large number of articles you come across online are filled with myths. The chances are, in real life when an addict comes across these articles on “Rebooting Plans”, it might quite possibly intimidate them and scare them away.

In reality, the rebooting process is quite simple. It exists only to guide a person in the journey to recovery. But, complicating it with figures and statistics that can differ from person to person, can end up discouraging the individual. The decision to start a reboot and work towards recovery, is already a hard one. It does not need the added pressures of self-righteousness and over-complicated scientific reasoning.

If you have decided to start your rebooting journey, firstly congratulations! It’s commendable that you have decided to take the initiative. Continue reading to learn more about how in the rebooting process, simplicity is key!

Here’s why you should not over-complicate the process of rebooting from porn:

1. Recovery does not have a set timeline

After browsing through a few articles online, many start to believe they can recover from their addiction within a set period of time. This period often being quite short. Recovery does not work that way. You won’t suddenly recover from your porn addiction by taking up a 90-Days challenge of restricting yourself from watching porn. Your craving for pornographic content won’t magically disappear just by refusing to look at it for a specified period. The thoughts of porn and the explicit images will still be lurking in the back of your head.

This fixed duration set for a reboot, only adds to the pressure instead of taking it off your mind. The added pressure will constantly remind you of your addiction. This will in turn increase your urges and cravings, heightening the chances of a relapse. If you try to speed up the recovery process, it might trick you into thinking you’re recovering faster. But, in reality, you’re digging yourself a deeper hole.

The best way to reboot is to keep in mind that recovery does not have a fixed timeline. Let yourself breathe and enjoy the recovery period without setting a fixed period of time, forcing yourself to recover.

2. Do not become a self-improvement junky

All it takes is one search and within seconds your screen will be filled with tons of articles and reports on self-improvement. You’ll come across many self-improvement “gurus”, claiming to have all the answers to life. What they fail to understand is that every human being is unique, no two humans are wired the same way. What works for one, might not necessarily work for the other.

Diving into this pit of self-improvement, you lose focus and question your process and progress. You'll think, “Why am I not able to achieve this in 30 days, when Chad from Minnesota could?” You aren’t aware of Chad’s lifestyle and neither is he aware of yours. Focus on your personal journey and do not compare it with others!

3. Relationship problems

If you’re in a relationship, it's possible that your addiction would have affected it some way or the other. Often you can get so lost in the process that you fail to notice what’s going on around you. Some of these reboot programs focus solely on the porn addiction. As a result of this, you don’t end up noticing how you’re affecting the people around you. You don't even take into consideration how they are affecting you.

Sometimes, the problems in your personal relationships might be holding you back from the recovery. Instead of focusing solely on the rules of the reboot, look around and make better decisions to improve your lifestyle.

4. Stop victimising yourself

Often, some of these reboot programmes can install a heavy victim mindset in you. We’re not saying that it is wrong to feel sorry yourself. To stop victimising yourself does not mean to drown yourself in guilt. Instead, it means making yourself responsible for the things you can change. As well as being aware that it is only you who can truly change yourself.

It is quite simple actually, recovery completely depends on your thought process. Instead of focusing on what the internet says about how a reboot works, make decisions and choices that fit your reality. You know yourself the best. Just remember to keep a realistically positive outlook.

5. Abstinence 

Reboots can often make it seem like, a full recovery will require from you abstinence for life. This understandably tends to scare away a lot of people. But, let me assure you that this is not the case!

No expert recommends abstinence as a permanent lifestyle. Some of these “holier than thou” pieces on the internet can make you feel guilty for even masturbating. Do not let this type of content get to you. It’s okay to masturbate and engage in sexual activities. It is just important you remember that moderation is key to everything in life!

6. Relapses are normal

You must understand that you are bound to give in to your urges and temptations once in a while. But it does not mean that one little speedbump and you end up giving up on the entire process.

If anyone tells you you’re not trying hard enough, if you experience even a single relapse. They are incorrect. Relapses are completely normal in any recovery process. Anytime you come across a relapse, remind yourself of your goals. Remind yourself of your reasons to keep you motivated.

There doesn’t exist just one single effective way to reboot, it is very rare for two people to have the same exact rebooting experience. It does not work that way. Instead, focus on your own progress rather than comparing it with others on the internet. In short, remain motivated and trust your process!