So this is nerve racking…

@bladesman - thanks so much! Today marks 15 days and the first payday in a long time where I haven’t gambled a penny!! 
another £1 for the jar tonight. Hope you’re good? 
Take care x 

Today is day 17 gamble free & the second day after being paid where I haven’t gambled a penny. First time this has happened in as long as I can remember. 
feeing really good & positive for a change moving forwards! Just keep paying my debt down to see a light at the end of the tunnel. 
hope you’re all well, got to draw £1 out for the jar tonight?. Going to use the money towards holiday spending money! 
Hope you’re all doing well, take care and stay strong x

Hey all, hope you’re doing good! 
Busy at work today and taking my nans out tonight but just wanted to pop on and post that today marks 3 weeks gamble free & I'm feeling surprisingly good. 
the money I owe is still there but it’s in the past. The only way is positive and up! I’ve got this. 
stay strong everyone x 

@haystack0915 thanku.for your encouragement x

@littlemix - you can do this, well done on day 1 and into day two. Take each day as it comes and together we can all do this x 

@haystack0915 Thank-you how did you cope at first if you don't mind me asking I'm very anxious today and can't seem to shift it x

@littlemix of course, ask away! I tried to keep myself busy with work and exercise helps me a lot. I go for walks with my headphones in. 
make sure you are self excluded if online slots is your downfall so to speak. 
I also join the evening group chats when I can as people are super helpful! 
remind yourself it will get easier and the beginning is the hardest. 
also it sounds silly, but I pay £1 into a jar every night of being gamble free as motivation and also to see a small but financial gain too.. something I’m not used to having! 
tackle each day at a time, maybe look into counselling too and the live chats? 
remind yourself not to be too hard on yourself & praise yourself for each achievement. I also came on here and read diaries when I struggled until the urge passes (which it does) stay positive. Continuing to gamble only have negative effects. You have got this!x 

@haystack0915 thanku I guess it's the guilt.of it all the past few weeks I've completely gone off the rails I've blown alot of money n I'm absolutely gutted with myself I feel.such a letdown

Not been on here for a few days, been super busy!! 
today marks 24 days gamble free. Most I’ve ever done and feel so positive & proud of myself. 
the journey continues for a total gamble free life! All the best x

Keep going we got this we are stronger than  we know ? so ready for my journey in more ways than I could ever imagine I'm ready to.take on the world now x

So I’m back to day one again, can’t believe I’ve found a way round and fell back into the trap after soo long! Weirdly I am actually stopping now after a win rather than I lose, however this does not change the damage that gambling causes hence why I’ve self excluded further and started again. 
hard to admit, but anything worth having is worth going through the tough times. Here’s to day 1 again! 

Hi Haystack,

Gamblers can't win because they can't stop. I used to think in terms of " A WIN " it ain't the correct term is a payout. I remember one time having a £3000 pay out one Saturday & wow the feeling of euphoria was unbelievable. So much so that I forgot about the £2000 I blew the day before, the £300 I blew the day before that & the previous Saturday maxing up a card with a £2000 credit limit. Start thinking what the gambling dens want you to think & in the blink of an eye you're back to square 1. Think about it.

Best Wishes

AL