Posted by Jamie on 15/11/2016, 3:45 pm, in reply to "Feedback from the Manchester Follow Up Workshop, November 2016"

I attended the beginners workshop in Manchester in January this year and I was so amazed with my progress on that workshop that I vowed to stick with my action plan to desense as often as possible. Unfortunately after initially sticking with my plans I took on some new commitments which meant I had less time to devote to my desensing. After several missfires I started to let my mind get the better of me and I soon found myself heading back to my coping strategies. Soon I was pretty much back to square one and the beginners workshop was a distant memory. I have kept an eye on this discussion board and having seen the brilliant progress of others from my beginners workshop due to their commitment (yes that's you Karl!) I knew I had to get back into it and this follow up in Manchester was the perfect opportunity. All the guys on the workshop were great; easy to get on with and open to discuss our issues. If you've ever been on a workshop then you'll understand the benefit of just being able to discuss paruresis with like minded folks. Being a follow up workshop it is much less structured than the beginners and there's a lot less 'classroom' time and much more desensing. I was initially a little concerned of this 'over to you guys' set up but I am pleased to say I didn't have to be. The desensing sessions worked well and it was good that you were not always desensing with the same guy/s, in our group of 5 we often swapped around and went along with different buddies. As a group we also decided that it would be good if we could all get together once every month or 2 to chat and tour the toilets as you do! The thinking behind that is that it'll be like a very informal follow up workshop but without the added expense of hotel rooms, time off etc.. Just a return train ticket to a convenient city for us all. This might be worth others considering if you struggle to find local pee buddies? Anyway, just like the beginners I was again amazed at my progress and I left with a determination that I will not let this slide again! After leaving the group on Sunday I popped into the weatherspoons on my way back to the station and comfortably peed at the urinals with 4 other guys in there. I also went to my local shopping centre last night after fluid loading and managed to successfully use a urinal 6 out of 6 times! It was quiet though and they were empty more often that not so not exactly challenging but it's all recorded in my new diary all the same! :-) For anyone who has been on a beginners and have let it slide a bit then I strongly suggest you get yourself on a follow up, it's definitely worth it! Thanks to Andrew and Mark for leading the workshop and thank you to all the other attendees for a very positive weekend, I hope to see you all soon for some more toilet tours! jamie

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