Back to basics

Well done Phil on 61 days, it's a good feeling when we want to socialise and enjoy ourselves again, and it's definitely great progress.

Enjoy your days off, you deserve to.

Suzanne xxx

Day 62, feeling a little bit fed up this morning, got money to go out, but thinking I should stay in as I have a few busy weeks and I have New York to save for. I've been offered a pair of Phoenix Nights tickets for tonight and I am tempted, it was such a good show, I need to decide if I should go or not. I'm thinking should I spend 100 and have an amazing night or leave it and buy the DVD whenever it comes out.

Need to stay strong today, not going to be beat, no bets today!!!

Take the tickets! Enjoy new experiences, embrace them! Say yes to life. Money comes & goes it doesnt define us as human beings. Create a positive memory that will stay with you for ever. I remember saying no to everything while gambling. It was weird i would risk everything on the turn of a card or the spin of a reel, but in life i would never risk anything. Today i say yes to life no to addiction. Have a great night out

Day 63 and luckily I didn't go last night, the tickets I had lined up fell through and boy am I glad as the show was cancelled halfway through. Ted Robbins AKA Den Perry was poorly and I hope he makes a quick recovery. I will be looking out for tickets for next weekend as I really want to see the show.

Currently struggling to move this tennis is so good, I hope Murray brings this form to New York in September. I have to go to work at one, I hope Murray has won by then. I feel good today, no urges whatsoever, no bets today!!!

Hi Phil,

I had a gap to fill this morning and logged on the forum rather than succumb to the urge. Your diary really put a smile on my face. I would say that the similarity of your journey to mine is uncanny although I dare say so would many others who use thus forum. There is the love of sport, the ability to make a bit of money, but then to let the compulsion cause us to lose it the next day followed by the recognition that this needs to stop, followed by that important first diary entry. And boy I know that sinking feeling you describe - that instant when that feeling of invincibility turns to disbelief and regret.

You diary is a wonderful example of just how quickly life can change for the better when you abstain from gambling. One moment you feel as though you have no strength to go on and the next you are planning a wonderful trip (one of which I am quite envious myself). Your diary portrays a tangible light at the end of the tunnel which I think we all so very much need so thanks for sharing.

You menfioned on the exemplary Duncanmac's diary that you had the book I mentioned. I would love to know how you get on with it. It is quite an easy read but the message us brilliant and is so aptly applied to the relationship between the bookie and its bi tch.

Long may your recovery continue.

Mark

Day 64 and gutted that I fell asleep and missed the exciting end of the Superbowl. Still going well with no urges, lots to look forward to. Works an ongoing problem, I need to get out of the place but can't find anything on similar money so I feel trapped. Hopefully something decent will come up in the coming weeks or months!

No bets today!!!

Hi Phil,

Thanks for your support last week - I almost mucked up but pulled back from the brink thanks to timely intervention from my son. I need to have a plan ready prior to payday next month as what happened this month almost didn't work for me - I got too caught up in self pity. Anyway, well done you on 64 days - I am now at 1 month exactly. Stay strong!

Rach x

Hi Phil, I read through this diary last night & am gutted that I never picked you up before...I guess I assumed that you were leap years of gamble free days ahead of me & probably didn't need my advice! I was already impressed @ you running the challenge but to read from where you accepted those boots was very humbling & makes me want to be a better person!

A big massive congratulations on your 65 days 🙂 I know you have been here before but the steely determination that you are approaching recovery with this time should make all the difference! It is already rendering the urges less persistent than perhaps they sounded on earlier attempts!

Sorry to hear work is such hard work @ the moment, hopefully something better is round the corner!

Keep looking after your soldiers General, I would follow you into battle anyday!

Days are clocking up - ODAAT

Phil

My friend thanks for your recent kind words on my thread, in recovery I have learnt that to preserve your own recovery it helps to hand it to others as I believe we are the guardians of the gift that has been bestowed upon us.

You are doing that in shovels by ochestrating the 2015 challenge, for it be proud and ensure you take as much from it as you gift it.

I saw we are hosting the rovers mid week in February I guess it won't be a game you will feature at?

If it is let me know and I will lay some plans for you to enjoy a warm welcome.

Sadly it may be the last time we play each other for a while, it seems we are heading out the league on current form.

A very sad time for us, still you reap what you sow!

Keep up the fantastic work

Abstain and maintain

Duncs stepping forward never back.

Thanks for all the posts on my diary, nice start to the morning to read them.

65 days today, 212 till New York. I know I need to fill my life more than it is right now, I'm getting better and it does take time to fix something that was completely empty, but I could be doing more. I've found a blog someone did because she had an empty life and I'm going to use it to inspire me, I need to say yes more than I do and I need to try new things. Clearly I have my holiday to pay for and still some debts so I can't be doing something amazing every week, but not everything needs to cost big money.

No bets today and no urges to gamble, I feel good and I don't need to slip back to my old ways!

Hi Phil. Many thanks for your post. Your diary has impressed me as it is clear that staying gamble free is already doing wonders for you. In just two weeks of abstinence my family and I are much happier already and feel much more equipped to deal with any problems later on. I really hope you can stay stong. Approaching holidays have always been my downfall - the impatience, the pressure to accumulate enough spending money and the stress of work have always caused me to relapse so do try and take a deep breath at these difficults moments and try not to count down the days too much. If you do not gamble New York will beckon and what a time you will have. New York is is a place I have always dreamed of visiting but it will be along while before I get there. Had I never gambled to begin with I could have visited New York every year for the past 10 years and probably had a great time! What you say about the small things is very true. It is the small pleasure in life that have saved me from total wipeout. And they do not need to cost money. Is sounds as thought you have Netflix like me. American Horror Story was fantastic. Series two is quite possibly the best and has a lot to answer for as my wife will not stop humming "Dominica Nica Nica!" Breaking Bad was fantastic and I cannot wait for Better Call Saul. As someone who has worked in the law for some 15 years, you might say that Saul is my idol. - he must have such great fun in his job. I have known many a dodgy lawyer like him and their brazen self-seeking is unbelievable and a little comical. Unfortunately I am verging on "straight" (in my opinion no profession which is designed to make as much money out people's problems and insecurities can be described at "straight" - I verge on straight because I am open-minded enough to see the harsh reality) which is far more boring. I believe there will be a sixth season of Breaking Bad next year so keep a look out. If you like these two programmes you may well like Bates Motel which I think is another excellent programme. Suits is also a good show and a nice distraction. The first season is on Netflix. I think your time could be worse spent. Rembember the small things! Take care and catch us soon. Mark.

Thanks for the post markman! Just a quick post today as I'm on my phone and its much harder work than on my laptop. Things are still good, no urges, life's mostly going well. No bets today!

Great work Phil. Have a great day!

Well done mate.

Keep up the good work!

Thanks for the posts, just a quick check in as I've had big problems with my laptop this week and I'm mad busy sorting everything out and restoring all my data. Feel brilliant today and no bets today!