Hi all,
This tends to be a time of year where we think about change. We would like to give you the space to reflect on your journey so far and your journey yet to come, by taking part in our new project. We are inviting you to write a letter to yourself, or specifically to “the person in the mirror” and use this as an opportunity to think about how far you’ve already come and any goals you have for the future.
We appreciate the concept can sound a little strange at first!
But just think, how many times have you had to give yourself a pep-talk before doing something scary? Or, telling yourself to “just let it go” when something no longer was any good for you? This exercise is similar, and we hope that you will take the chance to reflect on all the ways that you supported yourself over the past year, and the ways you would like to support yourself in the future.
We will also be sharing letters that GamCare staff have written to “the person in the mirror” and hope that you will enjoy reading them.
Questions you may want to consider while writing your letter:
We hope you enjoy the activity and feel that you have learnt something new! Just to note that if you already have a thread in our recovery diaries forum, it may feel most helpful to share your letter there.
Take care,
Lulu
Online Peer Support Team
Letter anonymously submitted by GamCare member of staff:
"To the Person in the Mirror
you have worked hard you deserve to be happy and calm, not living in fear. Gambling stole so much from you in the past you work so hard to rebuild a life that is joyous and blessed, always remember to be grateful, you can be strong and believe in the person you have grown into and that gambling no longer controls you.
But also remember during this next year. That is okay to not be okay. It’s okay to feel sad is okay to feel lost isolated and alone. But the most important thing to remember is that there are people who love you and care for you and those who don’t even know you. There are out there waiting willing and able to support you when the going gets tough, so remember you are in control and that you are a wonderful human being and can develop further streng this ths over the next 365 days."
How about considering writing your own letter to "The Person In The Mirror"?
Keep going we are all in this together
Hi
At one time I use to look in to my mirror and say to my self I love my self.
I am no longer ashamed of how unhealthy I use to be.
I am no longer focused on how unhealthy I use to be but focused on how healthy I am today.
The simple truth no one could stop me being unhealthy or consumed by my unhealthy addictions and obsesssions.
No one could stop me lying to my self or other people.
The addictions just indicated how emotionally vulnerable I use to be.
For me the wording recovery means healing.
I could not heal my pains and become healthier if I kept saying I was fine or not so bad.
Some people think that recovery is about blame.
It is abaout healing our pains.
For me the healing was all focus on healing the hurt inner child in me.
Am I ashamed at the person I see in the mirror today.
Love healing peace and recovery to every one.
Dave L
AKA Dave of Beckenham
Thank you for your reflections so far!
Here is another letter submitted anonymously by a member of GamCare staff.
"To my selfless, selfish, self.
I've got this. Allow me the space to continue to be grateful for the small obstacles I overcome on a daily basis as I strive to work towards an important year where I attempt to break down many barriers in my own personal and professional development. Sometimes getting out of bed and managing to eat is all that I accomplish for the day, let days like those be a soothing compromise for those days where I truly incorporate positive and sustainable change in your life. Give me a break, be gentle with me and nurture me as I continue to move forward with varying degrees of focus, grit and determination.
And when I meet your gaze in the mirror next year I will be a stronger, better and more focused person."
Have you considered writing your own letter? We would love to hear from you.
This letter was submitted anonymously by a member of GamCare staff.
"To the person in the mirror,
I would like you to continue your commitment to finding joy and beauty in the everyday, 'small' things in life. This will involve slowing down and taking time to notice and appreciate what and who is around you. Keep taking photographs, keep cloud spotting, walk with your head held high and pay attention. When you have nice thoughts about something or someone, say them out loud."
Have you thought about writing your own letter? We would love to hear from you.
This letter was submitted anonymously by a member of GamCare staff.
"To the person in the mirror...
You never fail to astound me in terms of how strong you can be and what you're able to overcome but also what you're able to flourish through once you hit the other side of a challenge. Yes there are times that I have felt sad, times that I have felt hopeless and lost but I need to thank you for not giving up on me when the going got really tough at times. Keep believing in me and digging deep when needed - in the upcoming year and beyond, as this life is a school and there will be more tests to face but I know now what I can overcome with your help. Where there is no mud, there is no Lotus flower to bloom. Care and compassion are the keys, for the self as well as for others."
Have you thought about writing your own letter? We would love to hear from you.
This letter was submitted anonymously by a member of GamCare staff.
"To the person in the mirror...
You never fail to astound me in terms of how strong you can be and what you're able to overcome but also what you're able to flourish through once you hit the other side of a challenge. Yes there are times that I have felt sad, times that I have felt hopeless and lost but I need to thank you for not giving up on me when the going got really tough at times. Keep believing in me and digging deep when needed - in the upcoming year and beyond, as this life is a school and there will be more tests to face but I know now what I can overcome with your help. Where there is no mud, there is no Lotus flower to bloom. Care and compassion are the keys, for the self as well as for others."
Have you thought about writing your own letter? We would love to hear from you.
We are available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. You can also contact us for free on 0808 80 20 133. If you would like to find out more about the service before you start, including information on confidentiality, please click below. Call recordings and chat transcripts are saved for 28 days for quality assurance.
