1st steps

Good on you PS. Wonderful reading!

Jas x 🙂

Well, have just returned from a week away camping with my dogs and what a difference it was talking to my son every day - the new one that doesn't lie or deceive. 11 weeks is such a BIG achievement, I am so proud. Although I have taken over all the finances, he is managing them really, I am just overseeing - and how sensible and honest he is being. So, I want to say a public WELL DONE!!!!!! Long may it continue! xxx

Well 82 days gamble free extremely busy at work but just a quick up date.. Enjoying life gamble free and One Day At a Time is the KEY! Am happy smiling and for today I am not going to gamble. All the best people and stay strong 🙂 With a bit of hard work support and self belief you can beat your demons.. No complacency just honesty.

12 Weeks today and how Ironic it's a payday. Gambling thoughts not even close to my mind and although I am cautious everyday I feel my life has moved on and forward and I know for sure there will be no going back. My new life is amazing with no worries. I'm much happier I am a nicer person with a clear concise view of my future. Never have I felt this way. One day at a time works. I want to say a BIG THANK YOU to my family and friends who have been so supportive and helped me through this. (You should see the smile on my face whilst typing this !!! A smile I lost whilst gambling) I would also like to thank this site the staff on the site but more important people who have read or commented on my journey. I would like to say a special thank you to Man City. Never thought I would say that being a Red but your kind words of wisdom and support really helped me on my journey in the un-easy first stages when i could have wobbled. More importantly your words to my mum when she was hurting. You probably know how much she means to me but I thank you for helping me find and get back what I once lost site of and that special bond you have with someone who means so much. My mum to me is what TB is to you. Once again just for today I won't gamble. I'm smiling I'm happy and the sun is shining. I am living my life and loving my life once again THANK YOU !!

Aaaarrhh! PSOWM being a mum myself I think your mum will be proud of you reading your last few postings.

And I know you are doing this for yourself but everyone around you will benefit from the new you. I know my family are gaining now I am a much happier person too.

Good on ya and well done. Made my day reading your post. Luv Min x

Life is there to live PSOWM and you are too young to have got caught up in this s**t. For some it's a life sentence for us thankfully it's different. I woke up and felt life again at 42 you at 26, neither of us could have done this without support. However both us felt we were above support when we were caught up in it. We have caused ourselves plenty of damage through this but I feel the very first step is to understand how to like yourself again , once you can do this you can tackle all the other issues. Your support came from many angles , your mum , g/f and this community. Support can always be found , it's what you do with that support that is important. Thankfully you have embraced it and now turn that 12 weeks into 12 months. The improvement in your life shines thru in your posts. You will have bad days and your debt may get on top of you, just rise above it and think of the person you are now rather than the one gambling had reduced you to and you can overcome anything. Long term I'd say that when you fully recover you will be much stronger as a person. Only a tiny percentage of the population go through this and most people could never cope with the immense pressure this causes. If you can come through the other side of this you can beat anything life throws at you.

Take Care

Well, well, well, 12 weeks..... and counting. Well done and thank you to my son for easing my worries! Have a good weekend and stay strong! Thanks to all on here, my son is so right when he says we could not have come through this so well without you all. Thank you and keep going with the support for everyone. xxx

Well short but sweet update. No thoughts or urges just getting more positive each day. Enjoying my life more than I can put into words. Still have my blocks in place which make it easier. For today I haven't and won't gamble and I will keep smiling 🙂

90 days..... today that equates to a full 13 weeks tomorrow. People say it's a good milestone etc but I think I am now in a frame of mind that everyday is a milestone if it be day 1 or day 101. The fact of the matter is I no longer gamble and that is what is important. Ups and down turbulent times ensuring I can survive from day 1 when my financial situation was in a mess. 90 days on and what a change. Everything from my bank balance, direct debits being paid on time, to my personality, my attitude my mental state and my thought process. Hard times having to say No to things because I didn't have the money or having to scrape to get to the next pay day. But 90 days on and what a good place I'm in. Little things I never noticed mean so much to me. I understand what actually counts in life and am living everyday as it comes building a brighter future for me myself , my family and friends and anybody else who wants to join me on this wonderful ride. For today I won't gamble I will be strong and will most importantly wear a smile like a child on christmas day 🙂

Hi PSOWM,

Well done on reaching this milestone...ODAAT

" For today I haven't and won't gamble and I will keep smiling 🙂 "

Those words are so infectious you know...... a smile costs nothing !!!!!

Take Care

STAY STRONG

Kim x

Well - here we are - 13 weeks on from the biggest shock to ever rock my life. My emotions have gone through every facet: shock, sadness, compassion, anger, guilt, hurt, feeling let down ....... al the way through to hope, pride and finally cautious optimism and happiness. A big well done! I am enjoying your company and our conversations just like I did before you turned into the person you became, which made you secretive and shady! Thank good ness you caught yourself and decided to turn it around. I know it was not easy and I know you have struggled finanically - but look at your bank balance this month! £400 in, everything paid and enough to manage, even with a small emergency ...... the battle has to have been worth it! Your debts are diminishing and your confidence and pride are growing. Work is going well, relationships are going well and trust is growing, so keep it up. I am becoming less of a worried mum all the time! xxxxxx

Sounds like things have turned around. That's great news. What about mum changing your log in name to happymum as the worry is now diminishing. Start to move forward in every way. It is a great feeling when we don't have to worry anymore. Stay on our guard and be cautious but not worry.

Keep fighting the fight

Steve E

13 weeks today.... I think my mums posts sums up where I am am at where I have been and how quitting really does improve your life. For me the sun is shining so all is good. For today I will stay strong definately not gamble and most of all wear a big smile.......

I'm smiling too. 🙂 Well done and keep up the good work. Lovely to chat earlier. You sound like a son any mum would be proud of. You are in charge of your destiny. Love Ostrich x

Congratulations on your gambling free time.. I am smiling with you 🙂 I am going to ring my mum now just to say hello.. its been a while. All the best to you and your on-going recovery.. S.A 🙂