2014 Challenge

Super weekly update as usual Mr B. I have to confess there is not much more I look forward to more than reading what you have to say on a sunday evening (well, Monday as it was this week).

Thanks for the mention of my best yet, have stumbled in the 60s twice before so glad to be on to day 71 today and extinguish any thought of failure. One day at a time for me now but the next big milestone will be 100 days which will occur in roughly a month. Saturdays continue to be the most difficult with thoughts of football betting coming into my mind but still winning that battle.

I like your vision Mr. B, I like it a lot in fact and am determined to still be eligible to participate in this vision in 2015.

Best wishes to everyone on your own personal journey, it will all be worth it I am sure of that much. The_Rock.

First Check In

Day 2 without gambling found it hard to resist yesterday and still have not been to sleep... alot to think about. Not looking forward to Thursday at all... what would anybody say or think of me being the table Dealer ( I am definitely not playing ) for my last night attending my poker league ? good idea or should I just be In and out ? so confused 🙁

Hope everyone is good,

Batman

Hi Mr B, you have me down at 8 days when in fact I am now on day 17 and have posted twice this week. I think what you are doing is fantastic but I just feel at times my posts are overlooked. Yes I had my issue at the dogs after 25 days but actually have abstained from my nemesis of online gambling for 42 days now.

Hey RST,

Many apologies for the oversight - was rushing last night to get the update on and to bed at a reasonable time........can everyone else check that their days are right too? I they are not then there's a risk in my haste yesterday eve that I could carry the mistake on my spreadsheet over to next week.

re your posts being overlooked, nothing could be further from the truth - yes you had a night where gambling was involved but given the conditions I wouldn't even see that as a lapse let alone a relapse.

You have helped me answer the confusing question by the Killers of "are we human, or are we dancer?" I'm obviously human!!!

Mr Brightside

I am going to pull out of the challenge, dont get me wrong i am still gamble free, but this forum has not really helped me. For instance, i made a post yesterday and i had no response from anyone, i feel more confident now that i wont gamble again. No roulette or scratchcards or footie etc for 16 days now. I wish all of you the best but i am going to do this myself. Cheers.

Hi no problem firstly my apologies I'm new to site and am uncertain where to post not sure if you will see this congrats on 16 days sorry to hear site not for you . Hope all goes well hitthefanx

Hi No problem, maybe having a recovery diary will provide more feedback and be a more effective tool. But everyone is different so whatever helps you. Well done on 16 days looks like you are fighting the urges and look forward to having a better future.

Evening everyone

Is it just me, or has it been a weird and tense day on the forum today? Maybe it's down to the Sunday outage and everyone finding a rhythm again?

Maybe it's a trait of a CG, but I really personalised a couple of the posts today and with it being so quiet I got a bit paranoid. My counselling is working though and I've taken time to reflect and rationalise my thinking........

No Problem - I think Monday was a really difficult day on the forum & for the challenge - the majority of people were looking after their own needs and posting about their days, their challenges and simply being relieved when they could get it off their chest. I think a number of us will reflect on your post ad realise that we should have responded in a more supportive way. Sorry. I also understand that everyone's journey is a bespoke one - I looked back on your first post on this thread and wondered whether the support is good for you and if you can go alone without wider help. Only you can decide that and I'm sorry if you feel let down.

RST - I wasn't meaning to be flippant earlier - I care a huge amount about this group - maybe too much - there is no person more important than another.

Hope everyone is OK and that a half decent night sleep will square me up for a better day tomorrow.

Happy 6 month eve Del!

Mr B

Thank you for the replies everybody, i think as a gambler i do feel very needy at times as i am sure a lot of you do. Aswell as this i think i have hit a bit of a wall and after 17 days clean of gambling i am starting to become tempted with just a quick bet and telling myself i will just limit myself from now on, i wish i could do that but i know that wont happen. I have to try and focus on the money i have saved, i reckon if i had done at least 20 quid a day that amounts to 340 quid, maybe a little more or little less. I think the forum being down on sunday might have set people back a bit. Think about all the hours of play that we have collectively not played in bookies. i also think that after just 17 days clean myself i am starting to feel upset and it is coming out in me now, sort of a delayed reaction to quitting. I am a strong person and hope that one day i might be able to have a bet occasionally but that day is a long way off. Keep smiling everyone and stay strong.

Hi troops,

Slightly earlier check in than normal this week.

I have experienced heaven and hell in the past 6 months but I believe these situations/trials make us who we are in the present day.

Each individuals journey is different, we all have different needs whether it be encouragement or to encourage. We seek a sense of purpose which I believe helps us with self forgiveness.

Love yourself in the day your in, what's done is done be good, be wise and make the choices that are right for you.

Derek 6 months gamble free today. 🙂

Hey folks

Was looking for a bit of advice for Thursday I would usually be attending my P*ker league but am leaving it once and for all would you think that going along and not playing is ok or should I just not go back ? Would really appreciate some guidance struggling to get over the confusion

Cheers Batman

3 days clean

I have to admit, i've really stopped posting so much as a lot of the time i reply or added a comment it is met with little or no reaction or reply.

Im not refraining from posting because of that, i just think i'm saying too much and as someone who is only in his 5th month free from the addiction, im probably not best placed to be giving out advice.

I will keep logging on and reading other stories to keep aiding my recovery, but im probably not much help being part of this challenge as im not regularly visiting.

Sorry to let anyone down.

Come on people lets get the positivity back into this forum. Quite often I post on my diary and nobody replies but I don't let it get me down. Its amazing that we have this place where we can post our thoughts and talk honestly and candidly about our gambling. This isn't a competition to get the most replies, we are a group of compulsive gamblers who have found a special place to help each other.

We are in February now and its been a great 2014 and a great journey on here. I am I'm sure everybody else here is rooting for each other to complete this challenge. Theres no need for any squabbling, lets stay focussed on this amazing journey and think about the benefits of a gambling free 2014.

I was a complete loser who lived in a bookies and lost everything. This forum is a magic place and is helping me get my life back on track. Lets all embrace the magic and support each other on this journey.

I want us all to meet up in January and celebrate how much we have achieved!

Well said bornagain, I am one of those who has moaned and really regret it as this forum has really helped me to stay focused. Had an email from a betting site offering to match my deposit as I had been away so long. Usually I would take that up as it seemed too good to be true. Today due to being in this challenge forum I just deleted it and carried on, thanks everyone, possibly saved me £100 today. Day 18 done 🙂

Morning all!!

Well this has been a topsy turvy week!! Weather shocking, web site down (it's worrying that a number of regulars are missing since then) check ins, check outs and the full moon has still to come on Friday so goodness knows what's going to happen then!

Good to see some resolve coming from some and while the check outs are somewhat confusing, I've been on here just long enough to understand that journeys take turns that may be unexpected but they are needed. Good luck to those of you who have decided to move away from the thread - always welcome back if you feel it is right at a point in time.

To answer your question Julie, absolutely I will be doing the thread. I made a commitment to myself and anyone else who wanted to participate that I would.

I will be clean for 14, 'cos I'm Mr Brightside!! Day 67!!