2014 Challenge

Hi All

I am sorry I havent checked in for a few days- a very close family member died and still struggling to believe it. She was my auntie and only 47 and died in house fire on sat night. The whole family has been ripped to pieces over it and she left behind her only daughter and her twin sister who we are all worried might not get through the week. Anyway, the funeral was today so we have to find a way to get through it.

I have had a really hard week but I have not gambled- seems even more pathetic now to be even thinking about gambling again as life is so short.

I am not sure what day I am on but I am gamble free and will stay that way.

I did want to comment on how I feel about this forum and especially this thread. I am not sure whats happened since sat but please can we all realise why we are here. We all want to stop gambling, we want to help each other by replying to posts and advising but it is not always possible. Try not to take it personally when a reply isnt left, our main priority is to ourselves and our own recovery. Sometimes we are using all our energy on ourselves and although we empathise with each other we do not have to respond. Thats what I love about this forum.

I am dedicated to my recovery and am also committed to helping anyone I can along the way. We have a fantastic thread here (thanks to mr b) and we should be proud of what we have achieved as a group so far.

Linda xx

That's true hard times, I am sorry for your loss. I work in an environment where I see so many tragic things happen, I wonder why on earth I have ever gambled because I have so much to be grateful for! Recently this has been even more so.

I too believe that we don't have to post, respond or acknowledge other posts, and we are grateful they are there because it's what makes the forum work.

I have not gambled and my mindset is slowly changing for the better. Thanks for the inputs and updates mr B

So sorry to hear about your loss Linda. My thoughts are with you and your family. When times are hard us gamblers can often slip into our old ways so you have done incredibly well to avoid gambling. Try and remain strong and we are all here for you!

thanks strange and born for your kind words.

i will post more once this week has finished x

checking in day 65.

thanks

linda x

i just wanted to add this:

January 2015- meeting up with some dear friends that I have made here on this journey- wherever that may be. just turned 35 and been married 4 months and life could not be sweeter. drinking a few buds (because I got the train lol)- 365 days gamble free and enjoying life.

Linda xx

Hi, ive not gambled in 46 days today, I used to gamble in bingo halls to start off with and then I started off gambling in betting offices on roulette machines, on the fobts machines.

before I had my relapse, I managed to stop gambling for 6months and 10 days.

Oh Linda so sorry for you thoughts with you.your such a strong person. Hithefanx.

Mr b what's the craic just wanted to check in for challenge today I'm 12 day and on Sunday it will be 15 hitthefanx.

not quite the feel good friday i anticipated.

struggling in life at the moment but i'll fight gambling..i have to

Day 83 - NO GAMBLING

Hi every1,

Friday again wow these weeks are flying by, hope you are all having a good week and have something too look forward to over the weekend.... for me its work 🙁 but having a nice wee night withthe wifey 🙂

Be good every1

Del 186 GF days 🙂 2nd check in this week but I love a Friday check in

Morning everyone,

So it's just under 36 hours until check in deadline - a tough week for the challenge, some real difficult circumstances for some of our fellow soldiers.......but if we need reminded of anything this week, we have resilience - and individually and collectively we've needed it!

Linda, Craig, No Problem, RST......and others........a tough week for very different reasons it seems - really well done for staying clean, it says so much about your inner strength and your commitment to yourselves and families - superb and try to be proud.

Batman - get back on the horse fella - pretty disappointing that your brother would have encouraged a visit to the casino - does he know your issue? These are the situations (time, location, money) that need to be managed! Don't let a lapse soften your resolve to win through this - you've got a long life ahead.......and are make choices right now that will insert a word between long and life in the last sentence.......one decision will insert "happy" the other will see "miserable" take its place.

We're missing a few soldiers this week, but some of them are typically late check-ins. Encourage where you see them on the forum!

Until 8pm tomorrow night when I'll start the update (a lot shorter this week folks), I am Mr Brightside and I am checking in clean for 69 days.

Stay strong team.

Hi Mr B and the gang,

Checking in before I forget on 68 days. Well done, everyone and strength all round for the weekend. Also second week of counselling this week, also making me stronger to beat this.

Louise

Checking in Day 48 & NO Gambling 🙂

Can't believe I'm almost 50 days clean 🙂 🙂 🙂

I do feel a little guilty sometimes that I don't post more regularly, so many of you give so much to this forum.........

Huge hugs to everyone out there that needs one 🙂

I cannot win because I cannot stop....no point in starting then 🙂

Feeling good 🙂

M x

Checking in on day 60. Privileged to be part of this special group and proud of all the support we have for each other. Together we can beat this. Well done everyone for another week without gambling. This life is so much better than our old lives.

Sitting up in the middle of the night wide awake. Finished nightshift on Friday and body clock all over the place. Constantly focusing on debt management feeling foolish for being here but determined to make amends. No gambling checking in early!