(TL;DR at end)

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Originally, I thought that if I just used mindfulness, I'd be able to quit as I wouldn't find it pleasurable anymore. I have found that it is mostly frustration relief that I perceive as pleasure, further reinforced by habit, beliefs, erection quality, the sensation of physical touch, etc. Many of these are things that aren't inherently pleasurable, but we can perceive them as such.

But I don't know how I'm supposed to know if I'd be happier without this. Looking at exercise, it also brings pain and discomfort, which I also actually enjoy, which is quite similar to the frustration relief pattern of PMO.

I HAVE found that PMO doesn't contribute to greater life satisfaction and lasting mood boosts, so exercise definitely wins there.

People may mention the costs or disadvantages of PMO, but really, these apply to any decision in life. There is an opportunity cost for everything we do. Pleasure is subjective and a result of our own perceptions and beliefs, and discomfort can also become pleasurable.

Asking for any insights or logical / evidence based input.

For static porn, being mindful makes it extremely frustrating to the point of not wanting to do it. The same is not as much the case for video clips. Further, one could just choose to not be mindful to enjoy themselves? One could call this self deception but we all choose to perceive things a certain way for anything to pleasurable.

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Disclaimer: I'm not asking for anyone to try to coerce me into quitting (i.e. "just quit", "porn bad"), nor am I advocating for porn.

I need to reach the answer myself, so I'm looking for facilitated discovery (others helping me reach my own conclusion), so I can make long term changes without looking back.

( TL;DR: Struggling to gauge my happiness with or without PMO (porn, masturbation, orgasm). Mindfulness hasn't helped me quit, as frustration relief feels pleasurable. Exercise is actually similar. Mindfulness makes static porn unbearably frustrating, but not video clips. Choosing not to be mindful can make it enjoyable, but involves self-deception, but we create pleasure for everything in our minds ourselves. Not seeking coercion, nor advocating for porn, but logical input for facilitated self-discovery to make lasting changes. )