Compose a "Before You Act Out Read This" Letter

[HopeandDespair]

So this morning while I was eating breakfast the thought came to mind that I should write a letter to my future self to be read whenever I am about to act out. The purpose is that in those times in which my thinking is corrupted, I need a voice to remind me exactly why I'm trying to change. I need something to discourage me from acting out.

Here is a start to my "Before You Act Out Read This" letter:

The reason you are reading this letter is because you want to watch P and MB. I know that you desperately crave that gratification, but before you do anything, here are some things to consider.

1. If you act you, then you will have to start all over again. You have come so far. You have been sober for so many days. Do you really want to have to go through it all again?

2. 5 minutes after you relapse those all too familiar feelings of regret, guilt, and despair are going to hound you stronger than ever. You will be wishing you had not gone through with it.

3. Just imagine how much it is going to suck to have to admit it to everyone on Through The Flame. You will be like a dog with his tail between his legs. Do you really want to do that?

4. This too shall pass. Nobody said the journey was going to be easy, but those who have done it before you have said that it is a worthwhile trip. A new life waits for you, and winning this battle will bring you one more step closer to actualizing it!

5. Think about what this would do to your SO. She would be absolutely devastated. Win this one for her if nothing else.

6. Go to TTF and talk with somebody first. Doesn't mean you won't act out, but get a second opinion.

7. Who do you want to be? What kind of man are you? Would Edmund Dantes do this? What would Atticus Finch do?


The reason I am posting this on the general forums is that I'm interested in what others would write if they were to create a "Before You Act Out Read This" letter. . .

Anyone care to share?

If you do share, know that I will probably print them out and use them as a tool in those moments of crisis!

Thanks

[Phil413]

So this morning while I was eating breakfast the thought came to mind that I should write a letter to my future self to be read whenever I am about to act out. The purpose is that in those times in which my thinking is corrupted, I need a voice to remind me exactly why I'm trying to change. I need something to discourage me from acting out.

I think that's an excellent idea, and I really like your letter. Another thing that's helped me is the posts people have written after they've acted out. I'm sure you've seen them, they're the "I can't believe I did that! -- I hate myself!" type posts. I have a collection of some of the more poignant ones. I've assembled them into a single text file. Reading those clips from time to time really puts it into perspective and reminds me what an empty lie the allure of P is.

Phil

[Zachary]

Something I'd put in my letter is to go and read several SO posts, to remind myself what this kind of behavior does to my partner. I doubt I'd much feel like acting out after that. Just something to think about.

[rosie]

This is a REALLY freaking great idea :)

I wanted to add some (less personal) thought into the frey.

1. By using P, you are supporting an industry (even if its free) that traffics, abuses, exploits women (and men).

2. By using P, the average age of women entering the sex industry is 12 - so you are supporting an industry that abuses children for money.

3. By supporting an industry that continues to enforce the message that women are somehow lesser than men, less important, less needs, and less valued - you are supporting opression of women globally.

4. Many P stars attest that many of the acts they do on film were never agreed to and were non consensual - by using P, you are taking a risk that you are watching rape on film.

5. By using P, you are hurting women, men, and children everywhere - your acts are not only harming YOU.

[exteberria]

This is a REALLY freaking great idea :)

I wanted to add some (less personal) thought into the frey.

1. By using P, you are supporting an industry (even if its free) that traffics, abuses, exploits women (and men).

2. By using P, the average age of women entering the sex industry is 12 - so you are supporting an industry that abuses children for money.

3. By supporting an industry that continues to enforce the message that women are somehow lesser than men, less important, less needs, and less valued - you are supporting opression of women globally.

4. Many P stars attest that many of the acts they do on film were never agreed to and were non consensual - by using P, you are taking a risk that you are watching rape on film.

5. By using P, you are hurting women, men, and children everywhere - your acts are not only harming YOU.

That is particularly relevant. I know for myself, the guilt points directly at the fact that using P means that you offer support - whatever it may be - to the way p is.