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Hi Mixer and fellow guru challenges. Ive been a bit quiet for a couple of weeks but have had a lot going on. Day 54 today and reading through this makes me stronger everyday. Keep up the great work everyone and thank you so much for your support

Afternoon All

Break up for christmas today, was paid yesterday and my partner is trusting me to keep money in my bank. 1 day has passed with nothing more than a twinge. will be easy the next few days im not at work (most of my gambling was done at work) so thats a positive but still a long way to go. Had my 9th Counselling session Wednesday, she sees iv come along way but still feels she can get a lot more out of me before my final session, i have no session till 10th January now so ill probably be on a lot more and will try and get on the chats at least once a week to help me out!

62nd gamble free day for me 🙂

Also a little tipsy after a great night out....

148 days gf

Would like to wish everyone a merry Christmas and a happy gamble free year

Thank you to everyone for their support x

Mixer. You have demonstrated beyond doubt that you are in control of your life. Dealing with all areas that pose a possible threat to your security and GF life.

I like the way you think about all the small but essential details; from access to money, supporting network and day to day personal affirmation. Well done you!

Afternoon all!

4D - I hope you had a good Christmas bash, and, as you say, no casino trip afterwards: a small price to pay for peace of mind and an infinitely better Christmas! Why torture yourself, anyway.

Marson - thank you for the update and hey, have no doubt, this is a struggle. Not just this time of year, but ANY time of year. The gambling 'devil' inside us is ALWAYS trying to tempt us.

• "It's Christmas - everyone else is having fun, why not you?"
• "Go on- you've done well. You need a break like anyone else"
• "You've got a few quid spare - you won't miss it - you won't gamble any more than that."
• "You might win the cost of Christmas back - give it a go! Who will mind, who will KNOW?".

Sounds familiar? We mustn't fall for ANY of it - it will send us back on a path of misery. Remember your last big loss, the pain? The shame? The empty feeling? We have to say:

"With the greatest of respect, gambling devil, **** off."

Mitch - having the counselling really helps as you know and it's all about keeping momentum when the sessions stop. Chatrooms here on Gamcare, and updating diaries etc. are one route; don't forget family and friends who are life's 'natural' counsellors.

Moorey - great to hear you're on the right path ... keep at it ... we are all with you.

Rubybaby - and season's geetings to you, too!!!! Lovely to hear from you, have a really really good Chrimbo!

Changemylife - Thank you for your kind words but as for "being in control of [my] life" I wish it were so! I must paint some kind of rosy picture where I have everything sorted out - I haven't. I really have to work at being gambling free. Every day, I fight the impulses, and if it wasn't for the very strict financial controls, along with the self-exclusion rules I've put in place, I would probably have gambled by now.

Heck, I've been gambling for so long, my gambling devil knows me so well, I'd probably fall for some excuse or reason. My home life isn't brilliant; work is very frustrating and I get down about things like everybody else. I make no bones about it and won't 'guild the lily': I have to remove my money supply. For life.

Never look at me as some kind of paragon of virtue or put me on a plinth - I've been gambling hard for many years and have, sadly, "been there, done that"; that is NOT a badge of honour. I have frittered away more than serious sums of money (hundreds of thousands, net) - but, more profoundly than that, some really good relationships, a couple of engagements, that, alas, gambling, and my related behaviours, have ruined.

A crying shame. All I can do, older, wiser - but not able to roll back time, the moment has passed - is keep trying. I am happy to share my experiences, and, more importantly, what I have learned, with others.

I've learned that money isn't the "be all and end all" but still very nice to have in savings, in reserve. It buys things we need, we desire, time and peace of mind. I don't covet money. I'm not at all materialistic (like many recovering compulsive gamblers); I just need 'enough'. II think, it's refreshing, in a way, to have that view. I find all of the Christmas 'frenzy', everyone dashing around for presents and stuff, all 'het up' and stressed, collective madness in a way: have our lives come to this? But maybe that's just me.

Life is all about the 'small details', the 'little things'. Plug the small holes, like the Dutch fable of the boy who put his finger in the d y k e to save the town, and you can keep safe, secure and away from gambling. Always anticipate what the gambling 'devil' might try to do to make us gamble. Always keep alert, but look at it as a positive, interesting challenge - you're playing a battle between you good (instinctive) side, and your bad (cold, logical, fallible) side - make sure the right side wins !!!

Have a good weekend, all.

Mixer

Best wishes to everyone for Christmas. I really enjoy reading the posts on here and the advice is always brilliant. This helps us to understand our problem all the more and I especially recognise the slippery slopes to avoid. I’ve been there many times and given in to my thought processes that trick me into playing a few pounds I can afford to lose. In every previous attempt to quit, I’ve never fully understood how one little step in the wrong direction (a few pounds spent on bingo for example) will send me tumbling back to full swing gambling and big losses and debts. Thanks Mixer - your thoughts and wisdom are very much appreciated and I truly think your words have helped me stay gamble free the past eighty odd days. Really pleased I found this challenge to be a part of and will be staying gamble free through this Boxing Day and beyond !!!

Merry Christmas, Everyone xxx

You take new people in, if so I'd like to join the challenge. 🙂 Newby here 8 days of gabmbling free. 7 days since coming clean to OH. Roll on.

Checking in. Merry Christmas everyone

Checking in on day 15 gf ...... happy christmas everyone i wish you all welll.

Bookies delusions sweet elixir OR reality with Mixer the fixer.

Great post yesterday Mixer. Your words convey the essence of recovery.

Wishing all the Guru challengers peace and contentment.

Gamble free is the way to be for you and me as we gather round the christmas tree.

81 days gamble free.

Happy Christmas to everyone.

Checking in on day 56 merry Christmas friends. Had a gd day yest went for drink with my friends outside my area where I'm self exluded from bookies and still not tempted to go in this big citys betting shops where I could of easily gambled so a good day plus today went to church with my children feeling good

Checking in ! 205 GF DAYS MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE !

Good evening everyone - the weekly update will be tomorrow instead of today. Practical reasons - I'm out and about and haven't the means. But I'll have an update tomorrow. Meantime - have an enjoyable Christmas Eve, everyone!

(Edited on 25/12/27 2:25am to remove typos)