A New Start, Same Journey

Go Dave! Just popping by to say thanks for the encouragement and yes, I have to get the barriers for access to cash in place and that's causing me some grief but I'm not giving up. Read back on a couple of posts of yours and can see how the forum eats up so much time, esp with the organizing you're doing. Don't feel guilty about pulling back on posts. I will be forced to do the same in about a week when I return to my highly demanding job. Best to you (and no reply needed!) 🙂

Hi Dave, really like the start of your diary, and thanks for taking the time for the Christmas challange its great to have such supporting people on here to help and encourage others 🙂 keep going

HI Dave

I agree with your recent posts. I too am finding it hard to strike a balance between this forum and "real life". I'm happy to read that your decision to post less is working for you. Its a massive commitment to keep up all on track with the festive challenge- thanks for taking the time to do this.

Your are doing great 🙂

take care

Irene

x

Hi Dave,

I am glad for you too..keeping that balance between real life and forum. I can't find the ends meet between these two yet.i think couse since i come on here i found so many likeminded people here and the strenght of every single soul here pulls me back daily like magnet. Maybe i just get too attached to people too 🙂 .

.or...addictive nature shines through...but saying that recovery is bespoke and whatever works for each individual i will always support their decisions as long as no gambling involved.

Do expect invitation to my future wedding lol...i think it will be wedding of the century with gamcare folk attending 🙂

God..look at me..talking about wedding while still single lol lol...you can hope 😀

Take care, have a lovely weekend and thanx again for taking Cristmas challenge on your shoulders..:-)

S x

Hello there. Thank you all for your lovely posts they really do mean alot to me and Im truly grateful for the support I do recieve on here. Gambling wise things are good and I'm beginning to think I may have "cracked it". Lets hope so, must keep my guard up ofcourse but I think I've finally had enough of bloody gambling. Life in general could be better, debts are driving me insane and I just keep thinking life is bloody hard! But I suppose I made it that way. It will get better but god knows when. Atleast I'm not gambling just need to knuckle down and wait it out. When I think how quick this year and past years have gone by I have to realise aslong as I stop gambling and stay stopped this time then before I know it it'll be a few years down the line and that bright light well be much clearer at the end of what will be one long tunnel. Got my sat nav I'm heading in the right direction.

Hi Dave, my debts are always are my mind, especially as I have no job at the moment. I can't wait to start earning again and paying them off. Hope you have a fab weekend x

Thanks ladies as ever your posts are helpful and appreciated.

I've decided not to bother counting as my last couple of posts have probably shown. It's just I'm not posting daily anymore. I'm still excluded from the bookies and I'm still reading my opening post and keeping an eye on the thread. Just stepping back from posting.

My first goal is to get to the end of the year gamble free. I need the perfect start to 2014 - a year I hope will change my life.

My next goal is to see out the thread and get to the 31st of jan. That's a 3 month challenge and would be amazing to complete.

Then it's about getting to June/July the 6 month mark. Now really I'll already be over 6 months by then but in my mind I'll be starting a fresh in the new year and am really determined to make it my first gamble free year. When I think about it my dad would have a bet on the national for me each year as a kid or do a sweepstake so my last bet free year was probably when I was 7 or 8! But I've been gambling "seriously" since I was 16, it's just got progressively worse. But that ship has sailed it's only getting better now.

I'm feeling good, I'm confident of getting to the new year and completing the thread (but not taking anything for granted). The big challenge will be Cheltenham. But I won't speak of the c word it's still along way off.

Good luck all. Be strong and keep at it. I started on this site 3 years ago and if I'd have just listened to the people on here I'd be 3 years gamble free and would've been debt free 2 years ago. I'm not gonna go into how long it's now gonna take me to get debt free but oh how I wish I'd have listened. Keep your ears open this site is full of wonderful people with even more wonderful advice.

Take care all.

Another day another dollar. Had enough of all this work lark. I'm ready for retirement. At 27 tho it may be a bit early. No gambling to report. I've had enough of all that. Same again tomorrow. Just thought, it's Friday tomorrow - another check in, they do come round fast!

Keep it up Dave your Flying not writing a whole pile myself but reading abit and going to GA meetings.

Hi Dave,

Long time no see and i read yesterday about few struggles you are experiencing in your life...

Vent it out Dave, you know that it will help a lot. You are great guy and keeping up with tread and everything....thank you again.

Really worried about you...please drop few lines when you can.

Be kind to yourself

Sandra x

Good morning Dave,

Only checking in with you. Hope you alright and problems you had last week are sorted.

Look after yourself

S x

Hi Dave,

Thank you so much for your post and letting me/ us know you ok. Really sorry to hear about changes at work, but as you keep proving right, you will get through it. You never know what can come along the way 😉

Xmas is tough time as it is, and i feel great respect to you to juggle all the worries and tread at the same time together.

Really wish you deep from my heart to reach some calmer waters. You are doing great my friend and should be ever so proud of yourself..

Tough times will pass...hard days always has to go down after reaching the top 🙂 it is wonderful life i'm afraid 😉

Take care dear soldier..

Be kind to urself and take it easy

Day at a time

Sandra x

Hello gamcare. Been a little while. I used to post everyday and now I'm barely posting but it seems to be working for me. I think I've just had enough of it all - finally. Even tho I no longer post regularly if you are reading this and your new to the site I would say post, post and post some more. It really does help and makes you feel part of the site which does feel great and helps a lot. I've been here to long really but I'm glad I'm still fighting and not just throwing in the towel. Life is hard, life is to hard. I'm a bit down at the mo, not depressed just really fed up. The pain of the old ways still haunt me and will do for a long while yet. Life is a continuing struggle but that is my fault if I hadn't been blowing money like a millionaire I'd be living and enjoying my life right now. It was always gonna be a struggle and the deeper the whole you dig the longer it'll take to get out off. I've got a few years until I escape but it's either struggle for a few years and then truly live the rest of my life or I give in, start gambling and lose everything and dig such a whole I can no longer get out. So the fight is ongoing and it is tough but I know it'll be worth it. I'm trying to show how I'm feeling but at the same time show a bit of positive thinking aswell. I will get there. We all will. Never give up. Keep strong and wait for that day when it all turns round. I can't wait to get to that day. And I will get there!!

Dave

Fella firstly I would like to again congratulate you on the xmas thread, I think it is again an amazing success and a worthy thread on the forum.

As for your feelings regarding your recovery and the use of the forum, my friend I remind you that this journey in my mind to work has to bespoke, tailored to what works for you.

All I would say is please read the post MILKMAN left upon my diary on page 448. I wish myself I had paid greater heed to it.

Regards Duncs stepping forward never back.

Dave,

Just wanted to say I use you as a massive Inspiration. Thank you for the Xmas thread. Keep going strong.

Hanz