It's natural to have P thoughts

[jaceinla]

This is focused more for those starting up recovery. I think one of the most difficult things right after starting a plan is that your mind will be constantly bombarded by thoughts of P. Usually the reaction is to fight it off, move it out, tell yourself with a yelling 'NO" to get those thoughts out of your mind.

But guess what? It's natural. It happens. All of us have thoughts of P when we are first starting recovery (the really strong thoughts). I think the biggest issue though, is how we handle those thoughts when they come. Yes, I agree that staying out of MC is a great idea, but when the thoughts keep coming, creating a civil war in your mind is the last thing you want. In fact, it's what the beast wants.

The beast loves to fight, but hates to chase.

If you get thoughts of lust, let them pass through. Don't feel upset, guilty, angry. Just acknowledge them, and let them pass, and move on. Don't put attention to them. Once you do, even if your attention is against P, it's still putting focus on the subject. You're not training yourself for a future of hating P, you're training yourself for a future WITHOUT P. The hating of it can arrive when you get further in the recovery and feel safe enough to put attention on the subject.

Does anyone agree or disagree with this? Feel free to chime in!