Checking in 124 days Free.
Check in 88 days gf 🙂
Checking in on 60 days.
Best wishes to all
Checking in on day 98 ....
Checking in day 35 going well
184 GF DAYS 🙂 checking in !
Checking in on 401 days gf. (Sounds alot when you say it slowly). Lovely bright sunny day today. Feeling good and looking forward.
Checking in. X
Checking in, still GF, financially things now going to be bad this month due to main customer of business broke the news they have no finances to pay us for work completed and have stopped other work we had arranged.
So in the past I would of thought right I can make some extra cash via online slots, wasting thousands I couldn't afford. I've not succumb to those thoughts this time, still fighting and sticking two fingers up to online casinos! Don't need them, won't use them.
*** GURU CHALLENGE - Latest WEEKLY ROLLCALL! ***
It's Sunday, 3rd December.
Here we are, three weeks from Christmas and 4 weeks till the end of the year. Thank you for checking in and your kind posts. How are things going? I would agree with you this is a difficult time of the year when a recovering gambler. Everyone letting their hair down, parties, ‘tis the season, and all that. Can’t we let our hair down too?
We can, but not if we’re going to bet. If we do that, it’s the ‘thin end of the wedge’; one bet leads to another, then to another, and before we’ve taken stock, we’ve gambled more than we should. And the stop/start treadmill starts again. So no gambling, no can do.
Remember – no excuses. Even this time of the year. It is in the nature of us to potentially relapse; I’m no stranger. I’m finding it interesting, on Day 114, because I’ve suddenly got a bit of ‘spare’, a bit of cash I’m not used to having. (Although - importantly - I don't have access to it!) It seems a bit ‘boring’ sticking it in the bank! But, here’s the thing I must recognize, and so must us all: cash saved is value saved for another day. It’s wealth we can call on if we need it; if there’s an emergency, or something we simply want to do. It’s good to have a reserve. I know that any interest we’ll get on any savings is low. But that’s irrelevant, don’t use that as an excuse not to save. To us recovering gamblers, the fact we’d be starting to save at all is a good thing; we’re hardly going to quibble over a few extra quid of interest.
It’s the same principle with debt, that many of us have built up. If we pay our debts, and StepChange is a good organization to help do this in a most cost effective way, then we are slowly but surely getting into a state where they will be paid off and wealth can be built up again. It also gets us used to the regiment of putting aside fixed sums every month (similar to saving). Paying off the debts, of course, does serve as a reminder of what we could have had, but so long as we do not dwell, but learn, and instead, wisely think of the better future, that’s the upside.
Let’s all remain vigilant at a time I would suggest we don’t particularly enjoy, especially when associated with gambling memories. For once, we can enjoy it, a bit more. Cautiously, perhaps, but let’s have a good time, a better time. We are allowed to!
So, how are we doing this week.
WELCOME!
No new members this week.
ROLLCALL OF HONOUR
We’ve six of our membership hitting meaningful milestones this week.
Changemylife – Congratulations for hitting the 400 day mark, a real achievement. I’m sorry to read of the financial setback (to put it mildly). You’ve recognized the ‘trigger’ that can fire off gambling thoughts that, as we know to our cost, simply serve to make bad problems worse. I’m hoping that the month ahead shows more light than the rain that’s been ‘P*ssing on your chips’ so far.
Degenerate – You’ve hit 250 precious days gambling free. No mean achievement and you continue to keep a firm grip of the reality of your situation which is keeping that resolve, one day at a time. Congratulations Degen!
Raj – We have a new ELDER and we congratulate you Raj at this important milestone. It matters this, and you’re proving you can ‘walk the walk’!
Marson123 – It’ wonderful to welcome you to the ranks of Striver, Marson, proving you mean this and can cope with the influx of cash a payday brings. Excellent!
Christer1 – Back to STRIVER level Christer, great to see your return and I know you’re looking to go one better this time around, always one day at a time! Well done to you, my friend.
Antics – Congratulations to you Antics, at the most important level of them all – you can’t anywhere until you’re a STRIVER. We’re all delighted you’re here!
Our GURUs
Phil72 – 663 days – ROCKING! Ever regular on the Chatrooms, there’s never any complacency with you Phil.
Changemylife – 401 days – ROCKING! You profile demonstrates the approach you have to our gambling condition. “I am finally beginning to understand the complexities and reasoning associated with the compulsive gambler.” Even after 400 days, there is much to learn as we continue to work on our mindsets.
Our ELDERs
Degenerate – 250 days – ROCKING! Getting used to spending money is an interesting by-product of our condition. We’re used to wasting money on gambling, but, as you say, spending it on good things, worthwhile stuff, doesn’t come easy.
ItMatters – 184 days – ROCKING! Thank you for checking in, good to see you’re keeping busy and keeping ‘check’ from time to time.
Sars27 – 184 days – ROCKING! – As always, you’re keeping it fun, and keeping it real. Behind your cheerful, uplifting posts is a steely, serious resolve – that’s coming through loud and clear, and exactly right, my friend.
Rubybaby – 128 days - ROCKING! – I haven’t heard from you for a few weeks or so Rubybaby; I hope everything’s Ok. Do drop a post!
Adamjamal2014-2017 – 125 – ROCKING! – I am very sorry to hear of your loss. Without question, this is a time of sadness, a time of reflection, and we’re all thinking of you Ok.
Mixer – 114 - ROCKING! - Keeping it going. Easy? No. Handing financial control over is critical for me; I won’t deny. For how long must I do this? Forever.
Amt722 – 109 – ROCKING! – Very pleased to see you’ve added to your resolve by joining the Christmas Challenge. Adding extra layers of determination will help you. Keep focused, keep strong.
Raj – 106 – ROCKING! – Great to see you as our latest ELDER, Raj.
Our STRIVERs
Chartom3 – 98 – ROCKING! It’s always extra tough taking those last few steps to the next, important milestone; we tend to give ourselves a bit more latitude, ‘rewarding’ ourselves by peeking at the odds, or allowing ourselves to watch that chap on the fruit machine. But, why torment ourselves, It’s no better on Day 100 then it is on Day 1. Remind yourself of that sickening Day 1 feeling, Chartom.
4D – 88 – ROCKING! Thank you for checking in 4D, this is impressive. Keep it going, day by day. Beware the wise adage: “Curiousity killed the Cat”, just keep clear of all things gambling.
Athena1991 – 80 – ROCKING! I haven’t heard from you for a while Athena, here’s hoping all’s well with you. Do say hello!
Adam808 – 68 days – ROCKING! Thanks for checking in Adam and glad to read life’s on the up, and so it should be!
Geo – 64 days – ROCKING! You’re navigating payday, a real test, and proving you care not only for yourself, but others too. Fully respect, Geo.
Boxingdayfresh – 63 days – ROCKING! Thanks for checking in BoxingDay, and what a great time of the year to go gambling free. You’re not just talking the (eloquent) talk; you’re also walking the (moneyshot) walk.
Mitch91 – 64 days - ROCKING! – Keep it going Mitch. Don’t stop now. Keep putting solid plans into action so that when temptation or weakness strikes – you’re ready for it.
Paulll – 61 days - ROCKING! Thank you for checking in and best wishes from us to you, too. You’re in the process of clearing your debts and back on the right track.
Velvet7 – 54 days – ROCKING! – Thank you for checking in Velvet and it’s great to see you really going for this. Does it get easier? Maybe not, but it’s all a state of mind this. Let’s enjoy the satisfaction of living that better life.
Moorey – 42 – ROCKING! – As you’ve written, strange how the gaming devil has the temerity to visit us in our dreams! But never forget, you’d have probably lost, even in your dreams. As we’ve proved, we can’t win; it’s not part of our nature.
Marson123 – 35 - ROCKING! – It is wonderful to welcome you to the ranks of Striver.
Christer1 – 34 – ROCKING! – Thank you for checking in, Christer. This is good – you’re showing some gumption here as you determinedly reclaim that Striver status.
Antics – 34 – ROCKING! – You’ve hit Striver, proving you’ve got what it takes and care about this.
NEW & re-RESOLVED MEMBERS
A slight change this week – I’m getting rid of the label ‘Newbies’ and referring to anyone with less than 30 days continuous gambling-free as ‘re-Resolved’ – back in the saddle ready for another crack at getting to Striver. No more ‘Newbies’ which I think is a bit of a ‘trivial’ heading, out of place for (what is) a serious challenge.
Veebee – 25 - ROCKING! – Good to see your gambling-free total creep up, slowly but surely – like the rest of us! – towards the first meaningful milestone; proiving you’ve put the steps in place to ‘cope’ with a payday. We’re all with you!
Curled Web – 15 – ROCKING! – Haven’t heard from you for a while; hope all’s well. Do get in touch!
Slotfool - 24 – ROCKING – You’re putting in a solid strategy Slotfool and you know there’s no alternative; willpower isn’t, in most cases, enough; simple as that. Accepting, and dealing with our weaknesses, will help you, and us, immensely.
06/11/17 (Previously ‘’Adam123’, Helpless‘& ‘Next Steps’) - 10 – RELAPSE Keep trying, Adam – remember feeding those slot machines only helps the very grateful pub landlord and the gambling ‘tricksters’, the experts, who know the tricks. Why buy their Christmas dinner and presents?
Abstainer (*ELDER status achieved*) - 17 - ROCKING! – I always visit your diary, Stephen. You’re real, you keep it real, you know what a sod this all this. I hope you’re keeping strong my friend; we’re all with you.
REJOINED!
It’s always great to welcome back our members. We never forget – relapsing does happen; but it’s how we respond to it that helps. It’s a sign of strength telling us of a relapse; it’s not easy, because we feel bad enough without sharing it with ‘the group’. But I’ll tell you what – I have the utmost respect for anyone who does.
HowDidIGetToThis (*ELDER status achieved*) – 6 – REJOINED – It’s great you’re back with us; a warm welcome back to you HDIGTT.
RESTED
guestaccount - RESTED – Sadly, I have to rest you from the challenge. But you are always welcome back Ok.
STATS FOR NERDS: We have ‘rested’ 1 member of our Challenge this week. And 1 has returned! 2 GURUs, 8 ELDERs, 13 STRIVERs and 6 NEW/re-RESOLVEDs; a net total of 29.
Let’s keep strong; keep sharing and keep strong!
Mixer and Athena, your hosts for this challenge
Thank you Mixer for your dedication and time and wise words - this challenge is keeping me motivated and I enjoy reading your updates and the advice is very welcome. You help us to understand things more and put our problems into perspective and encourage us to continue our gamble free journeys, very well done and keep up the good work. I’m looking forward to reaching my next major milestone of 100 days!
Christmas presents mostly all bought and paid for now and feeling positive about the festive season. I’ve been on here since Boxing Day 2014 & it’s my time now to stop messing about trying to quit. I’m here for the long haul - keeping my wits about me. I’ve had enough failed attempts to know my weaknesses. Like you say Mixer, it’s allowing yourself a little step on a slippery slope. For example, I know now I cannot let myself anywhere near bingo, arcades etc. Inevitably in the past, it’s always ended badly. Now is my time to really listen to common sense and logic and avoid any form of gambling for good. I will do it this time, I HAVE to do it !
Hi Boxingdayfresh,
Thank you for your thoughtful post - it's clear that you "get" this and this understanding will be pivotal as you continue this lifetime journey (because life itself is a journey, no less!). Really glad you've got all the presents sorted, one less thing to worry about meaning you can relax and feel a genuine sense of achievement.
The call of the gambling devils that infest our thoughts now and then can be loud, but we must continue to desist. I try to picture things where I can, and imagine I'm booting the gambling devil into space, into the long grass where it belongs. Each time it slinks back, because it's a determined 'devil', I boot it again, hard. It's getting more sore, more irritated and more desperate each time, but that's just fine with me. It's great the gambling addiction is on the "other foot", as it were.
You've got it eactly right and say it like it is. We have to stop messing about and have to stop. There is no choice if the "choice" is between a better life or guaranteed misery. Who on earth would rationally choose misery?
With you all the way, shoulder to shoulder, Boxingdayfresh. Thank you once again for a fantastic post.
I love your roll call mixer you put things into perspective Alot and give us all a reality check thankyou I enjoy this challenge. I've bought our presents and even had a new bathroom put in which had a big help from A relative leaving money but the most important thing was a they left me a large sum of money and not one penny I spent on gambling all went on bathroom and share abit with my kids and I will give that to them Xmas day. Sorry I'm ramblin
Thanks Mixer for the weekly rollcall ,great reading as usual really is one of the things that help keep me on the straight and narrow and look forward to reading each week .... Keep up the good work
Sorry it's late mixer xxx
129 days gf
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