2nd chance at redemption

@j5a6meyr4z @p6z38njbqm

Thanks both for the nice comments :). Had a night out with friends on Saturday watching football, then ended up clubbing. (God I don't know why I agreed to that) My clubbing days are long behind me but every so often I think I am still 18 🤣 .

Day 104

I Actually spent part of day 100 telling some friends about what I had done (both the milestone and why I had done it) Whilst also warning a few people I thought were at risk of becoming addicted the path I went down and how I didn't want them to go the same way. Look at me being some sort of preacher aha.

I also did something that at the height of my addiction I never really did and haven't really since, which was looking back at my bank statements. 1 of my worse periods was around Jan/Feb 2022 so around 3 years ago. Looking back at my worst period of 2 weeks around then I added up my deposits and they was about 45,000 pounds. All deposited in 2 WEEKS! Crazy, that obviously didn't include any money I won but wow.

Anyway I am not that person anymore, onwards and upwards

Good luck everybody and the fight goes on 🙂

Day 111

All the 1's! Been a mostly productive week. Got to the gym 4 times last week as I felt guilty about the clubbing LOL. A few temptations did creep in I think down to a bit of boredom and the bank balance getting a little lower than I would have liked, but I am happy with the resilience.

One of the best coping mechanisms I think is to not even search websites up, don't even give yourself the chance to fall into the trap.

Good Luck everybody and the fight goes on 🙂

Day 118

Not much to report from this end...but like to come on here at least once a week to keep my mind engaged and remind myself why I am doing this.

Mid way through February already, time certainly flies! Got a long weekend away at the end of this month that I go to annually with a big group of lads so cannot wait for that 🙂

Good luck everybody and the fight goes on 🙂

Day 126

Again not much to report... which I guess is a good thing. I think the text messages have stopped a bit from the start of the year...still coming but less frequent.

Got a music weekend away this weekend so off work Friday and Monday so excited.

Good luck everyone and the fight goes on 🙂

Day 135

Been a little while since I posted so thought I would jump on today...

Had a good weekend last weekend plenty of laughs, plenty of music and certainly plenty of booze. It was inevitable but think I am coming down with the flu, had a terrible night last night... felt like I had been hit by a bus lol.

No real urges to report, had the odd one or two here and there where I feel like I could really do with playing some slots, but I have come this far and not gonna ruin it.

The gambling companies text messages are still annoying, not really sure the way round it as they are NON GAMSTOP ones and as such don't come under any bans in this country, and it seems I get messages from websites I have never heard of, they obviously must data share...my solution at the moment is to just mute them and delete/report junk, but that doesn't seem to do alot.

Feels like the only solution may be changing my phone number which I hope it doesn't come to that..

Anyway....

The fight goes on and good luck everybody.

@hit0f4l2rn Well done Eden.  You are doing really well. 👏👏👏.

Yes, I get dozens of text messages per day from overseas gambling sites that I have no idea who they are!🤷🏻‍♀️. They did it on purpose as they know people like us could be vulnerable and become weak and give in to them.  Like you, as soon as I see them, I just delete straight away.  I wouldn’t mind, when you go into their site, there is no button to “unsubscribe “🤬.  What ones that tell you?

Keep going strong.

Pink Lady 🩷🍎.

@j5a6meyr4z Thanks Pink Lady, yep these things were sent to test us unfortunately but we are stronger for it 🙂

Day 147

3 days out from 150 days...wow

Still going strong, mostly good from this side. I had a few bets on the cheltenham races and lost a bit of money, but only money I was comfortable with. My aim was to stay away from slots/casino and I am doing just that. Sport betting I have always been in control and continue to be so.

Been feeling a bit moody lately, think that was part of the weather getting better then back to cold straight away and being stuck in with the flu for a few days.

Now the sun is setting later into the evening going to start running outside alongside the gym so that will hopefully cheer me up haha

Good luck everybody and the fight goes on 🙂

It's great to hear your story. I am also trying to stay away from those kind of activities.

Well done mate.

Think you must have smashed 150 now.

I am only on Day 10 but hopefully hit those numbers one day.

@v1rjweamnx Thanks keep at it 🙂

@hoofyboy Keep going, I was you once just starting out and thinking 100 days seems miles away but with dedication and help you will keep there.

Thanks both for taking the time to read my diary 🙂

Day 158

Haven't been on in a little while, kept saying I'll make sure to go on today but time just got away from me.

All good on this front that I can remember, been working out loads and been on a few runs now that the sun has been shining, which certainly has lifted my mood.

Been trying to find a cheaper APR loan, mine isn't bad atm but would just like to get the lowest rate possible.

My 18 year old car passed its MOT again with no advisories, what a little survivor that thing is.

Nearly April already WOW, payday monday on wards and up wards

Good luck everybody and the fight goes on 🙂

@hit0f4l2rn Hi Eden.  Lovely to read that all is still going well for you in your world 👌💪. Keep up with your continued great work and effort to remain g.f and aim for better days.

Take care and have a lovely weekend.

Pink Lady 🩷🍎.

Thanks Pink lady all the best to you as well 🙂

Day 165

Another week (nearly done). I always say this whatever time of year it is....but I can't believe its April already....

Spring fully on its way, and looking forward to spending more time outside, lets hope for a good summer :).

Nothing really to report on this front, decided to go on a bit of a social media detox for a few days, just felt I was spending too much time on my phone and pointlessly scrolling on different feeds even when I wasn't even really that interested in it. Think that was a having a general negative effect on my mood.

So I shall see how that goes. Been working hard in the gym, going through one of those spells when I am really enjoying it, which makes me extra motivated.

For those who are feeling down/ need a hobby to replace gambling I couldn't recommend working out more. Whether that be going to a gym, running/jogging or swimming or even just taking walks. It really is true healthy body does make a healthy mind.

Good luck everybody and the fight goes on 🙂

DAY 176

Still going strong on the GF front which is one of the only positives to be honest.

Sadly its going to be a downbeat post today, but it can't be sunshine.

Recently split with my partner and I am sure a lot of you are aware what that entails. A lot of things to sort out on that front. Just happens to rain for the first time in like a month where I live... whats that song called? Why does it always rain on me.

It wasn't necessarily messy, just arguments about the same things and seeming like there wasn't going to be a fix.

I guess its time to just focus on me. As much as it feels doom and gloom right now and there is so much bad I have done in the last couple of years, there is also a lot of good I have achieved.

176 reasons to keep carrying on

The fight goes on and good luck everybody 🙂