11. What to Look Out For When You Stop Viewing Porn

Question 1

How do you feel whenever quitting a buffering habit?

Answer 1

Terrible.

Question 2

Why do you feel terrible when quitting a buffering habit?

Answer 2

All of those feelings you used the buffer to avoid bubble back up to the top.

Question 3

What is the river of misery?

Answer 3

All of the negative thoughts and emotions that you feel after quitting the buffer.

Question 4

What is the alternative to the river of misery?

Answer 4

The pond of misery (more calm, less intense, but you stay in it).

Question 5

What is the best response to the river of misery?

Answer 5

Sitting with yourself through all the misery.

Question 6

Sitting with yourself in the river of misery is an opportunity to…

Answer 6

Love yourself radically and unconditionally even with all the negative and yucky thoughts and emotions.

Question 7

What metaphor does Sara use when describing you continuing your buffering habit?

Answer 7

You’re sitting in a disgusting room with the lights off. Buffering keeps the lights off, you stay in bed, and you pretend like the room isn’t there.

Question 8

What metaphor does Sara use when describing you ending your buffering habit?

Answer 8

Turning on the lights of the room. You see all the nastiness, and you begin to clean it up.