100 days. Still going strong.

Day 117.

Today has been a really good day for me. My car had its service and MOT today. It originally failed the MOT by virtue of a rear brake light that was out, but I knew it would because I knew the light was out and highlighted it when I dropped it off at 8:30am.

Whilst I was waiting for my car to be done I went and donated blood. It was my 28th donation and something that I always find fulfilling, especially given I have a rare blood type.

To add to the expense of the day, my car insurance was up for renewal. Having been given my quote, I managed to actually negotiate a cheaper premium and managed to pay it all on one go. This was significant for me because last year, because I was struggling so much with my debt, I ended up having to pay for my premium monthly.

Then I got the call about my car. The service was done and my car needed new brake pads. I braced myself for the eye watering figure that would follow, only to be told that, because I was a regular customer with them, they'd looked into my purchase history and saw that my brake pads were under warranty, so we're changed for nothing. Music to my ears. It meant that the additional cost of my car after the MOT and service was £12.50.

To top off what was a good day, I received an email in the early evening telling me that I'd received a mark of 89% for my first University assignment. Absolutely delighted with that, especially given my University course very much too a back seat to my gambling over the years. I've duly rewarded myself by buying myself a new pair of trainers.

Let's see what tomorrow brings.

Stay strong. 💪🏾

@g4pv3yauqm Sounds like a great motivational plan to aim for Jay. A treat not only for you but also for your wife!👏👏👏.

Keep up the great work of remaining g.f.

Pink Lady 🩷🍎.

Day 120.

Approaching the end of my week off work and it's been lovely to just relax and do very little.

Yesterday I visited my youngest son's school fayre but a conversation we had at my GA meeting a couple of weeks ago made me wary about it. We had a discussion about 'grey areas' and things that could considered gambling without you thinking it. During this discussion raffles and T*****a's were mentioned, 2 things that would be present at the fayre. Whilst I made sure I didn't have a go on the raffle and T*****a myself because I'd hate to have lost my non gambling streak over something so menial, my son did have a go (he even won 5 bottles of wine on the T*****a for my wife 😂).

This has played on my mind since. I've never even thought about something like that being considered gambling until that GA session and now it's got me wary about other things that could, inadvertently, be classed as gambling.

Anyway, another day done. Onto the next. 💪🏾

Day 125.

Been a very busy week since my last update. The impending Christmas period and my job in retail mean I've been very busy with work and my shifts are all over the place, but at least it's keeping me busy.

I received the result of my first University assignment the other day and was delighted to have received 89%. Proof putting the gambling behind me and focusing on my studies is worth it.

Yesterday I reached the 4 month gamble free mark and to celebrate this my wife and I went into Birmingham to have a meal and then went to a comedy gig.

Today is another payday and another month in which I finished the month in the black and not the red. I also had another call with my one to one support and she commented on how well I've been doing in my recovery and said I wouldn't need the call any more, which is a huge boost.

Hope everyone is still staying strong.

Jay.

Love it Jay. I got a similar score in my first assignment this year too. Just goes to show what we can achieve if our heads are not full of gambling thoughts.

4 months has flown by. Great to see you reaping the benefits and mending bridges with the good lady. I'm sure you've got a bit more grovelling to do yet though!!

Keep up the good work buddy. Love seeing you helping others out in the chatrooms. 

Stay strong 👍  

@g4pv3yauqm Well done Jay on a great exam result!👏👏👏. The things we are capable of when our mind is clear of anything gambling related!

It’s a great feeling isn’t it, when those g.f paydays mount up and our online bank accounts are just looking “normal and healthy”👌.

I am glad to read that you are treating yourself and also spending some quality fun time with your wife too👍.

Keep up the great work.

Pink Lady 🩷🍎.

Well done on the 4 month milestone. I know it must be hard work but I hope you are enjoying the benefits of not gambling.

I too worry about the grey areas. I bought some raffle tickets but as the proceeds were going to charity and I couldn't win anything of much value, so didn't care whether I won or lost, I let myself off. My partner said it was fine but I don't know.

Well done also on the exam. Great that you found something positive to do. I have been concentrating on running. Have a 10 mile race to do in the morning. I could do with exercising my brain a bit more.

Its amazing how quick the milestones creep up on me. I'm also over the 100 day mark for the first time in over 25 years. I try to remember to reward myself. I also bought myself some new trainers as a reward.

I have been keeping my own personal diary but I worry about sharing it because things have been going so well I don't like to change my approach. This is probably the sort of superstitious thing that caused me problems in the first place. 

I hope you and your family enjoy a gamble free Christmas and have a good 2025.

Thanks Fish, Pink and BeenToFrance for your kind words and support. As always, they are very much appreciated.

Day 128.

The end of another gamble free weekend and another one that has been very enjoyable.

First off, I've enjoyed the football this weekend with both United and my local non league side winning, with the latter booking their place in the FA Cup 3rd round as a result.

Being the 1st of December, it was also time for our yearly family tradition. Every year, on the first weekend of December, we put up our Christmas tree. The kids decorate it (and depending on how bad it looks, we re-decorate it) and then in the evening my wife and I watch one of our favourite Christmas films, 'Love Actually', so that's my evening sorted.

Stay strong everyone. 💪🏾

Been a while since I updated this but, being in retail at Christmas, work has been ridiculously manic for me over the last few weeks and my shifts have been all over the place. Anyway, back to another update.

Day 150.

Despite the stresses of Christmas in retail, I'm proud to say that I'm still gamble free, almost hitting the 5 months mark. Despite working constantly over the last few weeks I have actually managed to do other things to relax with the family.

Last week I took my children to Breakfast with Santa, which they thoroughly enjoyed and we also took them to a Pantomime.

I also completed, and had back, my second Open University assignment. 85%, which I'm obviously delighted with. 

I'm looking forward to having 3 days off for Christmas after my shift today and spending some much needed quality time with my wife and children. Will hopefully be able to jump on the chatroom a bit more too now Christmas is almost 'out of the way'.

Thanks everyone for all the support up to this point and I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas.

Stay strong. 💪🏾💪🏾