2014 Challenge

Well done scambling, hope you celebrated in style 🙂 del

Its the day I have been looking forward to most this week. Mr B you setting this challenge up has been the most important thing for me in my recovery and has inspired me and changed me for the better. You are a great guy and I am so pleased for you that you have reached 100 days. Congratulations mate you have done yourself and your family proud. Keep up the good work 🙂

Thanks Phil - really really appreciate it! Right back at you on many fronts and congratulations to you on a Quarter of a year!! Some going mate and looking forward to you hitting the 100 days next week now! Will be glad when this week is over 🙁

Take care

Mr B

Well done Mr B on reaching 100 gamble free days. It's a great achievement and a milestone that many on this forum want to reach. Keep up the inspirational posts and may the abstinence from gambling long continue.

Mike

Big day for my buddies, Phil 13 weeks is a fantastic achievement keep up the hard work and dedication m8 proud of you.

Mr B 100 days! Triple digits 🙂 when Sunday comes m8 in my eyes there is only 1 hero this week, YOU. Be safe this week m8 and remember I'm only a phone call or even a 30min drive away.

Del 🙂

What can I say, just made a glum post in my diary then came on here to read your new posts. If there was very a reason to be motivated and cheerful, you lot are it. In addition to the warm welcome, there are huge milestones met, new home, baby, and constructive, positive attitudes to life. Congratulations all.

Joining this challenge may be the best thing I ever did for my recovery. I have taken strength from your posts today. I intend to stick around and repay the favour.

This is day four and I'll get to the end of it, kicking and screaming if necessary!

day 5 today

its not easy nocrisis but your here and trying and everything im learning i realise how important keeping trying is

four days is a long time not gambling keep going

Checking in for this week.

Been reading lots of diaries and am impressed by the bravery and courage shown in them as well as the support for others, keep going all, it really is worth it. I agree the early days are the worst as there suddenly is a lot of time to fill. Also the brain that has previously been so full of all the planning and strategies that surround gambling, is wondering what to think about instead. And it is having withdrawal symptoms as well. Then there is the emotional regret to deal with as well as the financial mess, so all in all the gambling issue still feels massively painful in the early days. The good news is that this will ease as time goes by. Days will fill up with other things. Finances will improve. Withdrawal symptoms will ease. And we will learn to forgive ourselves.

Reading the diaries helps me remember the early days. Otherwise it is easy to get complacent which is the next enemy.Slipping back during complacency will only take me right back to the beginning. Six months this weekend. But it will only count if I keep going, day by day. x

Checking in on my Day 16 -

Congratulations Mr B on your 'century' and to all other Challengers for their milestones.

Massive congrats Mr B on your Century! I will know how that feels tomorrow. As a reward it will either be Wii Fit or Candy Crush! Lou

checking in! 8 days now and surprisingly not struggling AT THE MOMENT. keep up the good work everyone!

Steve

Hi everyone in this thread, right now my life needs some positivity to help me beat the gambling issue, i am in a bad place rite now, which only people on this site can understand. A member of your group has suggested I join this weekly diary, will that be OK with you Mr bright side?. My sad story albeit /abbreviated can be found in the new members forum.

Hi, Spaingone, I read your story so far, hang on in there, you can do this and everyone will support you x

Just a quick message on here for me today. This is day 5 for me and I am going to attend my 1st GA meeting in less than 1 hours time. To say I'm nervous about it would be an understatement but will give it a go. Have access to one to one support as well through my mothers work should I want it

Evening folks,

I'm so so glad I've got the team around about me - one of the toughest days I've ever had at work, it's my sons 18th birthday tomorrow and I've not seen him for nearly 2 months......and later in the week is the 5th anniversary of losing my wee brother........if it wasn't for the team, my amazing family and friends then it's this type of a week that would see potential for a fall...........but it ain't going to happen - I've made my commitments.

The words of encouragement, the congrats etc are all very humbling and much appreciated. Like Del a couple of weeks ago, it's still very difficult to accept praise........but something I want to get better at:-)

Just a few notes for other team members - for the guys who all joined last week and have already checked in - please don't underestimate how inspiring you guys are to the rest of us who are slightly further on the journey - your strength and resolve is shining through and while it seems so so difficult for you, it does get infectious to watch your days grow and your milestones approach - continue to work hard and focus on the many many positives that come with being clean - learn to feel proud of your achievements!!

Spaingone - it would be my pleasure to have you join us - I'll catch up on your diary and I've popped a small ask for you on the very first post on this thread on page one. All the very very best on your journey.

Ringer bell - hope that GA went well tonight - it's a great thing to be doing and I wish there was an opportunity closet to me to attend and get the support they provide - this team and this challenge is my GA! Really think about the support through your mums work - better to take the support and it potentially not work rather than not doing and living to think "what if".

The great start to the week has continued - well don everyone.

I am out of my cage and I'm doing just fine......it was 100 days since I was behind bars and there no intention of being jailed by gambling - 'cos I'm Mr Brightside!!