*** Join The Guru Challenge! ***

I have to start again.

Went to Bridlington today to enjoy the sea air and sunshine but I went on the roulette machines in the betting shop.

I than had a sad little walk on the seafront and got the bus home to Hull.

Hi Stephen try not to be too harsh on yourself, sometimes the urges are too much and the correct decision doesn't happen. I have to think that we can do this. One day at a time is the best idea ever as in so many times you just have to focus on each day and what you can get from it. I'm in a reflective mood today as one of my mates dad has had a heart attack and died just before he was about to retire. He had saved and saved bought a bungalow by the sea and was no doubt thinking about retirement but that happened to him. We have got to think how precious every day is save for the future but still live for the moment. Other friends of mine are currently making the wrong decisions by continuing to smoke weed and heavily as well and others are getting into debt by taking coke.

​

I try and give them encouragement to stop but it doesn't work. I gues there are going to be worse times ahead for them if their not careful. I don't know where I'm going with this but wanted to share, ive said not to two games of poker so far this week and have been to gym twice and will go tomo and over the weekend. Just bought some camping gear for next weekend but with that news I don't think we will go. I will finish by saying life is precious lets try and make the right choices but not beat ourselves up too much if we make a few incorrect ones. Adam

​

Thanks for the support mixer,checking in 51 day gf

Just living it all out day by day. It's rough. It's always been rough in one way or another. Bright spots for sure. Good periods in life. I have ways to find serenity . What's it all about 'Alfie'? ( the song) What's it all about Mixer? Calming down is part of the picture for me. Relaxing . Just to get some sleep consistantly is a huge accomplishment. odaat tara2

69 days gamble free

I’m still taking it one day at a time. I feel as though changing my mindset about gambling has helped me massively in my recovery.

The urges aren’t as frequent as they used to be and therefore feel less likely to be tempted back like in previous times.

Hiya guys and gals ... 63 days today for me. Got so many things going on lately that I am finding gambling slips to the back of my mind, which is a very good thing. Hope you are all OK x

Determined Dan, What changes are you refering to when you say that you changed your mindset? 🙂

Ahhhh as for me, I'm here today and tomorrow is another day. Just one long string of days. tara2

Back to day 1 another shop on the exluded list. My fault completely i decided to drive miles after payday cause my wife and son went out to watch athletics in London.

Day 3 on the gamble free road. I have left the past behind and have embraced this wonderful opportunity to regain my freedom. From the bottom of my heart and the depths of my soul I renounce gambling and promise I will have nothing more to do with it.

Having embarked on this journey of redemption, I feel a renewed sense of hope and optimism. My first mission is to get through today. My long term aim is to complete the Guru Challenge by remaining Gamble Free for 300 days.

The road ahead beckons me - with eyes wide open I can see...stephen

5

tara2 wrote:

Determined Dan, What changes are you refering to when you say that you changed your mindset? 🙂

Ahhhh as for me, I'm here today and tomorrow is another day. Just one long string of days. tara2

Tara, I’ve been bolder and braver in my recovery this time round. The biggest move I made was to finally open up to my girlfriend about my gambling past and asked her to keep a close check on my financial transactions. That way it would limit my chances to gamble. The next step would be to hand over my bank card completely but I feel I would lose too much independence. However, if it’s neccessary then I will do.

I’ve also done more research into why people gamble. I’ve rekindled old hobbies and set myself some long term goals to work towards.

It hasn’t been easy. The first 20 days were a real battle. It’s only now that I’m beginning to feel some sort of financial reward for my continued abstinence.

Checking in x

Had a great day in Skeg Vegas with the family didn’t gamble because I didn’t want or feel the urge to and just incase i spent the whole day with not a penny in my pocket. Had a really good day.

Still gamble free and still happy

Time for a CATCH-UP!

Good afternoon fellow recovering problem gamblers. Our problem isn't an easy one - we know our willpower's flawed ... that's why many of us are returning to gambling - a crippling, disastrous route. We MUST put sufficient blocks in place to make sure we can't gamble even if we wanted to. It's about our ATTITUDE to realising the importance of the blocks. It's about our REALISATION that we need to keep reviewing our blocks, and also understanding - via Gamcare, GA, counselling, learning via books etc - why we need to keep on top of things all the time.

I've noticed that many of us relapse. I did last year, and many, many times before. As I result I wasted precious life and opportunity that I will never be able to catch up or re-live. I've had to be pragmatic and start from here, and make the best of things from here. The TIME I've wasted, the RELATIONSHIPS I've wasted ... but I have to learn from this; regret and self-pity count for nothing, are wasted energies and no-one cares anyway.

It's coming up to payday for many of us. Let's keep our money, just for today. In fact I'll be brave - heck, we've gotta stick our neck out from time-to-time - and extend that. Let's make it ONE MONTH. It's summer - keep out of the gambling for the summer. Short term targets. The World Cup's finished - if you gambled on it, you lost anyway - so there's no excuse. Here's for a GAMBLE FREE SUMMER, up to 31st August.

Up for it?

Let's see how we're getting on. Remember, there's no judgement of anyone here; we're all in the same boat, wanting to live a better life. It's NOT easy ... but the world loves a trier!

Godoicul - Delighted you've hit the beach with no gambling - the key, of course, is not to have any money on you, getting a loved one to look after those precious funds. Still gamble free, as you say, and still happy. *213 days GF*

Xangel11x - thank you for checking in and ... you're doing great! *44 days GF*

DeterminedDan - It's surprisingly quick to see our finances improve when we stop gambling. All this 'extra' cash that we need to do something with. For some of us, it means clearing debts, but so be it - that's what's got to be done. Clear the slate and take it from there. For those of us not in debt, but simply wasting our wealth, it's an opportunity to use the money to buy things we need, or trears/holidays for ourselves and loved ones. One interesting point: we never waste money that we don't gamble; we always get value. You haven't handed over your bank card to your partner but if you relapse - and I hope you don't - then it's a very serious option. *71 days*

Stephen the Strong - The gambling devil can ambush us when we least expect it. A lovely summer stroll in Bridlington, a bookies that suddenly hovers into view and - BAM - we're back in Misery Valley. But you've straightaway climbed up the edges and back into the welcoming woods of opportunity, hope and friendship Stephen. So ... shoulder to shoulder, we're with you as you get back on the good road! *3 days*

Christer1 - Before I had each of my many relpases I kinda knew I was going to relapse. Part impulse / part knowing dread. I suspect that's what happened when the rest of your family were away. The cat's away and the mice will play! Just something else to watch out for ... when you're by yourself, you have time and opportunity. So you need to minimise yourself to money. Remember, our willpower is rubbish. Keep going; we're with you! *2 days*

Tara2 - Hi Tara. Interesting to read that you're here 'today, tomorrow' and its all 'just one long string of days'. Sometimes, being gambling free means we miss the 'thrill' of gambling - life gets boring. It's becuase we've gotten so accustomed to the flashing lights, buttons and feature games. So it's about trying other experiences. Travel, hobbies, rekindling friendships, non-gambling games on oue tablets, so much more. Something WILL 'click' and appeal - it's a case of keeping searching; it's out there! *45 days*

Bigmug - Thank you for checking in and your kind words. I hope you're enjoying the summer - Phew! What a scorcher! *54 days *

Adam123 - You are dead right when you wrote: "I will finish by saying life is precious lets try and make the right choices but not beat ourselves up too much if we make a few incorrect ones." We are going to make bad choices from time-to-time; we're human. But let's limit the scope of those bad decisions where we can. Some things are black and white: as problem gamblers, we shouldn't gamble. It's never as simple as that in practice, of course, but it's something we should try our utmost to stop. But, as you say, if we fall over, then we 'get on with it' and try again. Keep going 🙂 *1 day*

Egdam - Going great; one day at a time, enjoying life. Nice one 🙂 *60 days*

WhereIsMyMind - It's great to see an improving bank balance - inner satisfaction and wealth stored and put to a much better use! Keep enjoying the summer 🙂 *45 days*

Let's keep strong. And if we fall over, get back in the saddle straightaway. There isn't a moment to lose to live the much better life we all want!

All the best,

Mixer

Thx. Mixer! One long string of days ! What that means to me is odaat rather than focusing on a chunk of time. The days add up but I trip up if I don't string a bead or a flower at a time to the garland. Where I'm coming from is this; I have not stuck to one day at at time or I'd have been gamble free for years. A guy from another site says this, " In GA , one of our favorite things to say is that the person who wakes up first /earliest and decides not to gamble on that day, has the most clean time. Odaat. "

Make it hard if not impossible to gamble with blocks and take it day by day. I'll trying this.

Talk openly with as many details and feelings as possible, be vulnerable, be transparent... having someone to share with on this level is a true gift during these recovery days. trust. tara2