Yesterday we introduced rituals and took a look at Frank. Now let’s figure out what your ritual is.

Recognizing the Steps You Take 

Your ritual is a key part of your porn use. Everyone has rituals for acting out, and this is one of the most important things for you to identify for your recovery. Your ritual is the starting point of the road that ends with acting out.

Another word for ritual might be “preparation.” It means anything that you do to get ready for a sexual experience, a preparation checklist so to speak.

Frank, for example, started his porn ritual by mentally checking that he would be free from disturbance (home alone on Friday night). Once he sat down he’d then begin with the “How-close-can-I-get-to-porn” game. He’d trick himself into finding sexual material by telling himself that wasn’t his intent. He’d edge closer and closer until he crossed a tipping point where he was consuming full on porn.

What leads you down that road?

Answers these questions to figure out your own rituals: