2019 - My Turning Point?

Today marks 90 days of no gambling! (aside from the weekly work coupon amongst colleagues).

I am very proud to have got my life back on the straight and narrow as Christmas was a very dark time for me.

It’s all about GamStop for me. That has played a massive part in my success so far. Without the access to gamble online, I am no longer thinking about gambling on a daily basis. I am more interested these days in building myself a life worth living for. Coffee and shopping with my mum this morning. Buying nice things to improve my home. Making myself look and feel better about myself.

All these things get forgotten about in the midst of gambling.

The best thing about not gambling is not having that awful feeling of losing lots of money and feeling hopelessly out of control. Not having to worry about if X, Y or Z see any evidence of my gambling.

My bank statements have been clean for 3 months now. Yes, it wouldn’t take long to scroll back to see some evidence, but for now I’m happy to know that each day I wake up, I’m venturing further and further away from those dark times.

91 days is phenomenal, well done you.

To me, you don't need to worry about the weekly work coupon. After all, there is no way that you can spend beyond your means on something like that. It's like me with the odd T*****a ticket on charity stalls.

NT

January, February and March completed! A quarter of the way through 2019. Day by day I’m recovering my life back.

April... We go again!...

Always remember my first bank statements starting to filter through with no gambling transactions in sight .............What a great feeling that is Dan and almost a milestone in itself :)) .

Well done mate and in advance if I'm not about many congratulations on reaching the century club , now go smash April :)) .

Well done Dan.

Very nice to see that you are back on track

Thanks for your support NT, A9 and Whatsmyname.

I’m feeling good after an 8km run last night. My first run in around about 3 months. Need to get fit and back in shape. That’s one of my goals for 2019.

Hey Dan

Good for you mate. Great to hear youre setting goals and doing what you need to do to make them happen. Good on you. Keeping fit and healthy can only bring positivity into your life right? ;o)

Day 97

Having been strict with myself in spending money over the last 3-4 months, I’ve found myself spending my money a bit more loosely recently. I guess that’s no bad thing as it’s stuff that I do require but don’t neccessarily need. But anything is better than gambling I suppose.

This morning I’m taking my mum to the hairdressers in town. This would have been the perfect opportunity to have a couple of hours gambling in the bookies or to find a coffee shop to gamble online on my phone. If I’m being totally honest, gambling doesn’t really feature in my thoughts too much these days, however, I do at times still feel lost without a betting app/account on my phone.

During my 4 months gamble free last year, I had no intentions to gamble but I knew that my gambling account was still on my phone. Almost like a comfort blanket. I wonder if that feeling will ever go?

I’ve not even tried to break down the GamStop barrier because I don’t want to. I want it to work and I don’t want to gamble! It doesn’t interest me in the slightest at the moment. Yet I miss having the app on my phone. It’s a weird feeling.

Fantastic progress Dan.

Well done.

I'm on 7 weeks GF today, and it's only 11 days till my next clean bank statement, I'm really looking forward to it as the last one still had a few PayPal transactions at the very start of it, not many but still £100+ of embarrassment.

I have been smiling at your post about the food bargains. Yes, me too, I love it. It's ages since I did a proper shop, mostly I get the bargains and build the menus around it. All good fun.

Stay strong. You'll have 100 days very soon now.

Redeemed wrote:

Fantastic progress Dan.

Well done.

I'm on 7 weeks GF today, and it's only 11 days till my next clean bank statement, I'm really looking forward to it as the last one still had a few PayPal transactions at the very start of it, not many but still £100+ of embarrassment.

I have been smiling at your post about the food bargains. Yes, me too, I love it. It's ages since I did a proper shop, mostly I get the bargains and build the menus around it. All good fun.

Stay strong. You'll have 100 days very soon now.

Congratulations on 7 weeks gamble free, Redeemed.

Like yourself, I’m taking great pride in looking at my bank statements and seeing ‘clean’ readings.

Tonight I’ve managed to pick up £14 worth of fruit for £2.80 🙂

This is giving me some sort of a buzz and I’m really enjoying protecting my savings and not going to bed stressed and worried about my gambling. The guilt is lessening as each day passes and I’m beginning to love and forgive myself more too.

Be proud of how far you’ve come mate. Keep it going.

Hi Dan :))

Double D's always make me think of something else but not sure what ? :))

Just picked up on your comment about the " Comfort blanket " , It's funny but when I first stopped I excluded myself from every bookie that was on any route I used, so all the usual haunts were off limits but I always left the casino open ? , strange but it took a good 5 or 6 months before I went down there to speak with the manager and finally closed that loophole , it was like " well you never know I may be able to control it " soon realised I couldn't though :)) .

Regards having extra money well ....... Youv'e stopped gambling so it's only right you should see some reward for all the effort and the fact that you treated your mum as well .....????............you know how to get those " Brownie point's " .

Enjoy my friend and if I don't get the chance to welcome you to the century club tommorow then congratulations in advance :))

Take care Dan

Alan

A 9 wrote:

Hi Dan :))

Double D's always make me think of something else but not sure what ? :))

Just picked up on your comment about the " Comfort blanket " , It's funny but when I first stopped I excluded myself from every bookie that was on any route I used, so all the usual haunts were off limits but I always left the casino open ? , strange but it took a good 5 or 6 months before I went down there to speak with the manager and finally closed that loophole , it was like " well you never know I may be able to control it " soon realised I couldn't though :)) .

Regards having extra money well ....... Youv'e stopped gambling so it's only right you should see some reward for all the effort and the fact that you treated your mum as well .....????............you know how to get those " Brownie point's " .

Enjoy my friend and if I don't get the chance to welcome you to the century club tommorow then congratulations in advance :))

Take care Dan

Alan

Thanks alot Alan. It means a lot mate.

I can’t actually believe how quickly these last 99 days have passed. It’s mad to think that we’re almost 1/3 of the way through 2019 already.

100 days gamble free.

The second time I’ve reached treble figures within the last 12 months. It’s time to make it really count this time around.

Needless to say my finances have drastically improved along with the quality of my life.

The early days in January were tough as I struggle to motivate myself during that month at the best of times. But by taking it one day at a time, along with the blocks I have in place, I find myself 100 days away from my last bet.

GamStop, in particular, has been a revelation. I urge anyone who is struggling with online gambling to sign up to this as soon as possible.

Thanks to everyone who have helped me along the way in this journey. Your comments and messages have been a massive help to me and for that I’m very grateful.

Tonight I shall have a glass of wine to celebrate.

Dan

Fantastic!

Well done!

Wish I could fill this box with balloons and emojis and colourful congratulations banners.

Enjoy your celebration drink.

Posted by: Redeemed

Fantastic!

Well done!

Wish I could fill this box with balloons and emojis and colourful congratulations banners.

Enjoy your celebration drink.

Thanks, Redeemed. I’m feeling in a much happier and calmer place than I was 104 days ago.