No one could have anticipated a pandemic to disrupt our lives at the beginning of 2020, but here we are: at home, alone or with loved ones, and doing school or work all online. What a time to be getting through, right?
During this time of isolation for many across the globe, technology and the ubiquity of the internet have made it possible to stay productive and even continue your job or education or even fitness routine. Unfortunately, with an increase in time spent on the internet at home, the world is also seeing a significant increase in the consumption of pornography.
And some porn companies are taking advantage of that, exploiting the isolation, anxiety, and boredom of billions for their own profit.
So all of this prompts this very important question: have you ever thought about giving up porn for good?
We know that seems like an insane thing to ask, especially given what’s going on in the world. But have you ever been curious what your life would look like without porn? Or if you’ve already tried giving it up and your progress is paused, ever wonder how it would feel to give it up for good?
Have you ever considered how porn can’t necessarily cure your loneliness during this time, or even cure your boredom…but it can actually make those things worse?
Pornhub and porn sites just like it are turning up their marketing game and taking advantage of everyone staying home because of COVID-19 so they can gain lifelong clients even after social-distancing is over. Instead, we can show you solid reasons why you shouldn’t buy into any of it and ditch porn for good.
If you don’t want to listen to us, listen to actor and activist Terry Crews:
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And here he is again, wearing one of our conversation-starting tees the other day:
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But Terry Crews isn’t the only one sounding the alarm on porn—science and research are showing how harmful pornography is to the consumer, their relationships, and our society in general. In addition, countless personal experiences from around the world are showing this, too.
The #PornFreeQuarantine 30-day challenge
This month, let’s all have a #PornFreeQuarantine. We’re challenging you to try giving up porn despite what the porn companies want you to do with your time in isolation. Not for your partner, not as a joke, but really try it for yourself and see what happens. Can you do it?
This goes for both guys and girls—give it a try. All month long in April, and even beyond, we’ll be sharing a bunch of info that will equip you in your challenge as well as give you some info to help you out.
Feeling stuck? Our friends at Fortify have an amazing online recovery platform dedicated to helping individuals find lasting freedom from pornography. Learn, connect, and track your recovery journey. Plus, it’s now free to use! Try it out for a #PornFreeQuarantine. What do you have to lose?
But what will it be like?
If you’ve ever wondered what a difference ditching porn can make in your life, these stories are a must-read. While most of these stories are from guys, it’s important to remember that women struggle with porn, too.
Some of these individual experiences below are excerpts from our organization’s supporters, others have been taken from NoFap’s blog and Your Brain on Porn‘s site. Check out these resources for thousands of stories, and read real stories of people who have given up porn and changed their lives in the process. We think you’ll be inspired to give it up yourself, or at least try ditching it to see what a difference a porn-free life can be.
Long story short, everyone’s experience with giving up porn will be different, but a lot of people report better self-esteem, higher-quality sexual intimacy, more happiness and joy, less brain fog, better focus, more energy, and better sexual stamina. Not bad side effects, right?
But see for yourself why a #PornFreeQuarantine will be totally worth it.
The Most Incredible Freedom
“I cannot even begin to explain to you what freedom I have found from locking myself out of porn on my phone.
I’m happy. I have never been this happy before. I’m not depressed anymore. I smile all the time. I’m full of life and energy again. Being free has changed my life. It has been the most beautiful thing to me. Life is so good. I hope somebody who can’t stop watching porn reads this and understands that freedom feels so good. No longer am I depressed, or lonely, or full of self-hatred. Yes, I’m single, but I don’t feel lonely. I love life now. There is hope.
Related: True Story: I Stopped Watching Porn, And I’ve Never Been Happier
I didn’t stop watching pornography for a relationship, and no one had to convince me to stop. I stopped watching for me and my well being. I also stopped watching for women in videos who are being hurt. I will never know them, but I stopped watching for them. I stopped watching so that I don’t contribute to any videos being produced ever again.”
–J.
Women Are More Beautiful
“Quitting porn makes women more beautiful! But beautiful in a much deeper meaning. I see more clearly who women are. They are so much more beautiful if you think of them more than just something you want to have sex with. Look at their faces and the wonderful way they communicate with you in so many non-verbal ways. Women light up all of my senses. They are experts in communication I have lacked in so much of my shy and anxious life. Porn perverts so much more about how truly wonderful and beautiful women are.
Look at the beautiful women, talk and laugh with them, understand who they are. When you know how beautiful they are, you will find one you can’t live without.”
–T.
Watch: One Man’s TEDx Talk On Why He Gave Up Porn For Good
I’m Chasing My Dreams
“Today it’s 180 days ago that I last saw porn. I feel a lot has changed since then, not just mental changes, but my life has changed so much.
I got a job. It’s something I’ve wanted really badly for at least a year, and within a month from when I started, I just WENT. I just stepped through the doors of a company and told them that I wanted a job there. It was such a sudden moment in which I decided to just GO. Something I wouldn’t have done before. It was just clear to me that nothing could really go wrong.
Related: 11 Years Too Long: My Overdue Breakup Letter To Porn
I have much more time (obviously) and I’ve been using it to be more social and that’s so much more satisfying. Homework or other tasks (especially behind a computer) I would ‘normally’ duck out of by watching porn. Now s*** gets done.
A lot has changed in how I view life. It’s really too much to talk about now, but basically, I see what I want to do with life, and that I can do it. I shouldn’t waste time with something that only destroys, but instead do things that will improve my, AND other people’s lives, in any way possible.”
–M.
More Time for Real Life
“It occurred to me the other day that I really don’t have time for [porn] now. There are much more meaningful and fun things I would like to do with my time. So have I found the relationship of my dreams? Overcome every one of my fears? Of course not. But life is so different. 8 months ago I was lost, and sinking, starting to become a shut-in apart from at work. That has all changed…
I feel like I’m sort of rediscovering myself. Finally growing up, after having been stuck for about 7 years. I’ve missed out on some things. That’s the funniest thing—speaking to my friends I’m back in touch with, I now see what I missed out on years ago.”
–A.
I Have Higher Self-Esteem
“Most days, I don’t feel my life has changed that much (other than no [porn]). But I have a sense that a seed is planted and swelling to life, that a tide has turned, and that massive, massive change is afoot. I glimpse it in small (yet huge) ways almost every day.
I think the foundation for all of this higher self-esteem. Not arrogance, or even confidence much of the time, but a stronger sense at my core that I am valuable and that I can handle life. You feel it too, because you’ve made the same decision I have.
Related: 5 Women Who Struggle With Porn Break The Silence With Powerful Messages
The result of this feeling is small-but-better decisions throughout the day, which are rapidly adding up to a better experience of life.”
–B.
I Have Control Over My Life
“For the 10 years of my addiction, I didn’t pursue my dreams. I didn’t discover my hobbies. For 10 years I played video games, watched tv, and watched porn. That was pretty much my life. Yes, I went out with friends and did social things, but when no one was around, that’s all I did. Now that porn is out of my life, I can pursue my dreams again. Before porn, I used to love writing. I abandoned writing for the high that pornography provided. With my extra time, I’m beginning to write again. I’m reading a lot too. Reading helps me grow and develop into a better a person. Reading and writing are helping me live the life I want to live.
Related: Keeley’s Story: How I Finally Broke Free From My Shame-Fueled Porn Obsession
I don’t have many regrets in my life, but if I’m being honest, I do have just one. I regret letting porn overtake my life and my time. I can’t begin to describe how much I want the last decade back. The relationships I could have had and the growth I could have experienced. Porn prohibited me from having any real relationships. By taking up hundreds and hundreds of hours of my life, porn stunted me from growing as a person. I cry every time I think about the decade that porn addiction stole from me. I cry for what I lost. At the same time I cry for my escape. I cry tears of joy knowing I’ve won.
Porn no longer has any control over me. Porn no longer has any place in my life. For 10 years I was addicted. Those 10 years of my life were wasted. Those 10 years of my life vanished before my eyes. I thought I’d never get out, but because of Fight the New Drug, I’m free. I’m finally free from porn. And I’m NEVER going back.”
–R.
As a woman, the shame kept me down
“For a total of six years, I suffered deeply because of my struggle with porn. Finally, at 21 years old, I was reading a book that talked about how if we keep our burdens secret we will never be free from them. And it took me reaching the bottom of myself to know that I could no longer do this on my own. I needed to reach out.
After completely breaking down one day, I had to make a choice to continue living like this in silence or let my struggle be known. I reached out to a friend and I spilled my heart to her. Literally as the words ‘I have a problem with porn’ left my mouth it was as if a physical weight was lifted from me.
After choosing to release my private shame and lay down the burden I carried, I am now three and a half years free from pornography and have never looked back. Since breaking free, there has been an abundance of healing, love, and forgiveness in my life. I now get to hold fast to love and feel its true meaning.
Let it be known, there is absolutely nothing normal about pornography! It’s not just a problem for men, or an ‘adult only’ problem. As a 15-year-old girl, I was still just a child when I began a long, painful road of addiction. It’s a cultural and world problem. Men, women, and children get exposed to porn every day and it seems to be ‘normal’ in society. But it doesn’t have to be.
Now, at age 25, I proudly and openly share my story in hopes of shedding some light on what porn can do to your life. I fight because I have successfully kicked porn out of my life and I will continue to stand for those who suffer in silence because they feel like they can’t speak up out of shame.
When we stop giving porn power over our lives, that’s when we can break free from it and let true love and healing in. It was opening my mouth and saying it out loud that helped me overcome my struggle with porn and brought me to where I am today.”
A movement of hope
The facts and research are showing just how unhealthy porn is to consumers, and these stories reinforce that life and love are so much better and richer without porn. Do yourself a favor and ditch it—you deserve so much better, and your quarantine will be so much better. Come out of isolation better than when you started.
Can you crush our #PornFreeQuarantine challenge, and even go beyond that? Try it, and see what happens. We guarantee you won’t be disappointed with your results, and you’ll learn something about yourself, too.
Need help?
For those reading this who feel they are struggling with pornography, you are not alone. Check out Fortify, a science-based recovery platform dedicated to helping you find lasting freedom from pornography. Fortify now offers a free experience for both teens and adults. Connect with others, learn about your unwanted porn habit, and track your recovery journey. There is hope—sign up today.
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