Feeling that you can express your self here is very important, the fact that people here are more likely to understand adds value to that .
Every feeling that you have i guarantee one if not all of us will have felt, so use this space to speak your mind, express your fears, and seek support as it will help.
Good Luck!
Thank you for your kind words they have helped a lot I really appreciate the support it really helps sometimes it's all you need and honestly I've never had that support before I would normally express myself to my partner first but I don't want to add to her stress levels at the moment thank you
Wow 9th November already, usually I would update on a Tuesday as its my day off but I had a lot to do yesterday and before I knew it I was picking up my little girl from school.
I hope everyone is well, staying strong and gamble free. If you follow the suggestions mentioned last week they will truly help your gamble free journey.
So I believe a big thing for me to help stopping gambling is realising the benefits to stopping, some are obvious but I think you need to consciously do things that you were not doing whilst gambling or that you can now do more of, it can be a nice reminder that you are getting to do these things now you've stopped. I feel that now I'm not consumed by gambling thoughts I can become the best version of me. I feel that gambling was my whole identity - I simple was the gambler, people didn't know to what extent but everyone knew I gambled. So I am trying to build a new identity. For me there's 2 sides to that, so one is finding what I like and doing more of it and the other is doing things that will make me feel better in general and live a longer happier life.
So why don't you have a think and post if you'd like things that make you happy, maybe it's a hobby that you never made time for eg video games, puzzles, reading, movies whatever it maybe try and do it 10 mins a day or whatever you'd like to start with. Or if it's something big you'd like to do or do again eg a skydive! Or a trip to a theme park etc you could put small amounts of money away - money that in the past was gambled but now is being used to improve your life and bring enjoyment rather than destruction.
Then also you could consider something for your wellbeing, a small exercise routine you do x days a week, can be for just 1-2 Mins a day. Building the new habit and then in time that'll expand to longer and build out to other positive habits. Other ideas are breathing exercises, stretches/yoga/pilates, meditation.
There's all sorts of things you could start to do. The power of just doing positive things rather than the negative ways of gambling can be so empowering and uplifting. And being able to do the things that make me happy that I know I couldn't have done if I was gambling.
So will you start doing something new or start again something you've missed doing?
Best wishes to all, have a great gamble free week.
For anyone just seeing this you can join at any point just reply saying you'd like to be apart of this, we'd love to have you.
16 of us below, congratulations all, we have all made a great decision to stop gambling and improve our lifes.
Hi David i can't believe I'm 88days gamble free i won't lie it's crossed my mind but i have excluded myself from every where around me and within a 30 mile radius I've never been interested in online gambling so that's a plus i suppose but what i am more pleased with is that for the first time in god knows how long i have been able to go out and buy myself my favourite perfume which is quite expensive and have actually got money in my purse to go Christmas shopping for my family when the thoughts come into my head i take myself off and have a lovely walk along the canal side and this really helps me but most of all what helps is coming on here and reading people's experiences and battle's with this terrible illness that we have all been dealt with and lastly thank you for these challenges because they are a great help well done everyone let's keep going with this take care
Tuesday 15th, halfway through month 1!
Unfortunately only 5 people have messaged on this thread since day 1. I hope everyone else is doing ok and regardless if they're ok or have had a slip I hope that we hear from everyone soon. Even more so if things aren't great as there is so much support on here and getting back on the horse ASAP prevents a slip becoming a full relapse.
But anyway I hope everyone is well and gamble free. I seem to be non stop, work is mad I am looking to find a bit of balance there and then I come home that's non stop to but thankfully mostly in a good way but just very busy, again trying to find a balance and not burn myself out.
I am gamble free for this challenge, so far so good and I never want to place another bet as its just not worth the consequences. That's a decision I have made, a decision we have all made. We are no longer people that gamble and are life's are sure to be better for it. That may mean it's tough at the start but long term we know its the right choice.
Shout out to @lakelands on over 90 days, gamble free, massive congrats and an early congrats for day 100 - I know you'll get there! Both massive milestones and you should be proud. Plus great to hear your in a good place.
So this next topic, I think is a tough one. Why do YOU gamble, I think we share many reasons for why we gamble but we probably each have our own triggers and reasons why. Maybe you have never stopped to think why, maybe it doesn't matter as long as we now stop. But if you think it would help then think why you gamble, just like prevention is better than a cure, perhaps by understanding why you gambling you can remove or change that so that you no longer feel the need to gamble? Feel free to share on this thread your thoughts or you may prefer to do on your own or depending on your reasons, discuss with a friend/family member or perhaps contacting gamcare to discuss.
I myself gambled mainly to get away, it's an escape from whatever problem or stressful situation I found myself in. I escaped into my gambling bubble where nothing else existed and at the beginning it was a temporary release but of course when I stepped out of the bubble the problems were still there and I'd added to them by gambling. Then after time things would get worse as the addiction got worse and my escape was no longer an escape because even gambling felt horrible to. All things we know and I don't want to go down that road but basically I realise now that all (well certainly most) problems have a solution if I tackled it head on and honestly and I realised any negative scenerio I was escaping was never really as bad as it seemed. So now I feel I deal with life better then before - still a work in progress but I'm getting there.
For anyone just seeing this you can join at any point just reply saying you'd like to be apart of this, we'd love to have you.
16 of us below, congratulations all, we have all made a great decision to stop gambling and improve our lifes.
@d122010 Hey David, yes all good here managed another weekend with the help of putting a block on my card to prevent me from getting the urge after a few drinks. Still reflecting back on the money I wasted this year however I’m being positive and looking ahead and starting saving again, and this time I will do it !
thanks for your continued encouragement I hope the rest of the team are doing well too
David, thanks for the above nudge. I can only apologise for not posting when you have taken the time to look out for us all.
I am 58 days GF today. Something I am so proud of. Personally the last several weeks have been extremely challenging. I have had some real problems with my girlfriend and us getting along, I am struggling with trust due to previous issues on her part (and most importantly things I have kept from her) but I have stayed on track - JUST!!
last Saturday was the closest time I’ve come to breaking, it was an early kick off and a chance for me to ‘win big’ with a result that wasn’t going how it should- I’m sure some of you have been there. I fought it and the urge eventually passed as I used techniques shared on the forum.. luckily I got through. I am proud of that.
I am hoping things improve personally, it doesn’t help having a stressful job and fighting battles at the same time, but we’re all here for the same reasons… keep going everyone.. I sure will try to!!
@d122010 . Yes David . Am still on track. Because I put blocks . Is not been easy. I have been taking care of my nice . She passed on on 10th. But still going strong on keeping gambling free. Thank
All good here, half way through the month.
Hope everyone else is on track and not suffering too much, if you are suffering stay strong things will get better.
The beginning of the month was tough. But am still on track. And I feel good about being GF. The blocks have helped alot
Hi all
@nyaba We'll done on the gamble free time you should be proud. If I'm reading it right you niece passed away? So sorry to hear that. I don't know what to say but that's so sad. Take care of yourself. I'm sure everyone here wishes you well.
@brigitte85 glad to here your doing well, making use of the blocks available, good stuff.
@ssc180922 firstly congrats on 2 months gamble free, secondly I've been there plenty of times, and well done for resisting ultimately you know win or lose you'll give the money back, there is no gain to gambling! The trust issues is tough and each individual or couple will deal with things differently, the only thing I'd say and take it or leave is just to keep showing that you are being open and honest I know that was big thing with my wife - more than the money it was the lies. Hope you both stay strong for each other.
@lids19635 glad your going well. As you say keep strong and better days are ahead.
This challenge is a big thing however far you are on this recovery road, being able to say I'm going to stop gambling for the next 3 months is massive. You should feel proud just being open and honest and saying that's what you want to do. But if that feels good imagine how good it will feel at the finish line!
I'm looking forward to Dec 1st, to say its been 1 month is big, plus I'm hoping for a good advent calendar lol.
I am trying and currently failing to cut out sugar - not to an extreme but just stopping the biscuits and chocolate, the snacks and extras that I really don't need. I have decided to put a pound in a tin every day I'm successful. That got me thinking for stopping gambling would that be something you would take on, it can be more or less money, or it can be set rewards say if I am gamble free for the next x days I'll treat myself to x. Or maybe for this challenge 3 treats at 1, 2 and 3 months. They can be small or big, can be something for yourself or something to be shared with someone. Just an idea and won't work for all but any encouragement, any extra motivation it's gotta be worth a try.
Does anyone have any motivational "trick" or anything they do that they feel may help others, do you count days, do you count backwards towards something - reward, debt free date etc, write a gratitude letter at set milestones for those who support you? I'm sure there's lots of things people could do. I've tried a lot of them! I hope everyone finds what works for them.
Take care all, stay strong.
For anyone just seeing this you can join at any point just reply saying you'd like to be apart of this, we'd love to have you.
16 of us below, congratulations all, we have all made a great decision to stop gambling and improve our lifes.
Hi David just checking in I'm now 103 day's gamble free can't believe it's the 22nd of November i hope everyone is doing well and keeping your spirits up a big thank you to you David for giving us the insperation by doing these challenges and keeping us informed of everything you take care keep up the good work everyone
Thanks @lakelands and welcome to the treble figure club! An amazing achievement. Keep it going, keep motivated.
Almost 3/4 the way through the first month, we`ve got this friends.
Stay Strong.
Evening all,
just a quick update that I’m 10 weeks GF today… something I’m very proud of. It’s a small step, but a good step. Keep going everyone - we’ve got this
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