Back to Square One

168 days to go

It's been one of those days today, my mood has been pretty low. Managed to get a few household chores done but it was such an effort.

Got a social engagement tonight that I'm not looking forward to at all. I used to live for nights like tonight, but at the moment just can't be doing with it.

As is the norm now, I'll be watching my drink intake - not that I've got a lot to spend, but I can't cope with hangovers at the moment especially when I'm not feeling too good as it is.

Anyway, thoughts of gambling have been suppressed for another day - and I battle on.

167 days to go

Feeling in a better mood today and positive that the days are ticking down.

Hi Paul.

Please to read you are feeling better today and more positive, it's strange how you can just wake up feeling miserable or depressed some days, when often the day after is the complete opposite.

Keep up the good work you are winning this battle and the days are dropping off. What was your target you set yourself?

Have a good day pal

Andy (Wilsy)

166 days to go

Hi Wilsy,

My mood swings are strange, I agree! I must be a right pain to live with!

My target is to get my loan paid off, which is quite a burden as I was earning more money than I am now when I initially took it out. This will give me a bit more freedom, and although overdraft and credit card debt will remain I will be able to manage to pay these a lot easier.

Things are definitely looking up, just need to avoid that first bet!

Hi Paul

I used to get the moody blues but for now I am settled.

You can reach your target and your freedom will come, I agree, it is all about not having that first bet and opening a can of worms again.

Stay strong buddy, resist all urges I believe in you.

Wilsy

165 days to go

No gambling today.

Taking heart from moving steadily towards my goal.

Best wishes to all that read this

Good to see you are taking heart from making good steady progress forward, the days will continue to topple, think of how happy you will be at the end of it. Well done mate.

Wilsy

I am very new to this forum I do admire all the fellows for there commitment to deal with the gambling problems.

To day is my first day only but my goal is to stay gambling free for little daughter for 7 days.then repeat the same my other three.

Well done for fighting on and winning.

Best wishes

164 days to go

No gambling problems :0)

162 days to go

No gambling problems.

Looking forward to watching England tonight without having a bet on the outcome.

Hi Paul,

Pleased to see you are managing well and the days are still dropping.

I too am looking forward to the football, I've basically given up work for the rest of the day, can't be arsed!

Have a good weekend mate.

Wilsy

161 days to go

Today has been quite tough and the urges were strong - mainly brought on by boredom.

I've been very strict with my spending habits these last 50-odd days, but today I gave in for the sake of my sanity and bought myself a new computer game... I can't really afford it but had I not bought it I'd have probably gambled again out of sheer boredom and frustration.

It's all part of the recovery journey I guess...

160 DAYS TO GO

Still felt a bit guilty about buying that computer game yesterday. It cost £25. When I was gambling that would have lasted about 2 or 3 minutes on the FOBT... and I wouldn't have batted an eyelid.

I need to gain some perspective when money is concerned. It's not possible to keep up with spending as little as I have been doing. I'm just getting frustrated and impatient and want the debt gone as quick as possible.

Must be more realistic and patient.

No gambling today.

159 days to go

My mum and my girlfriend both commented that I seemed 'distant' at the weekend. To be honest, I was feeling a bit down but think I was a bit too caught up in the worry of debt and trying to earn a few extra pounds doing online surveys and suchlike.

This isn't a good place to be in as frustration can often lead to me gambling again.

I'm feeling a bit more chilled out today and actually glad to be back at work.

The days are ticking down, it's pay day next week and I've got things coming up to look forward to.

No reasons to gamble.

157 days to go

'Good things happen when I don't gamble' is a phrase I take a lot of strength from.

This has been proven during other prolonged periods of giving up. And this time it's no different. There's a job going at work that doesn't crop up very often and I've got a really good chance of getting it. The closing date is this Friday, so not long to get my application in - but I've got a few hours spare this morning in which to put my covering letter together and update my CV.

So important that I remain gamble free. The urges have been there recently, but I choose not to act on them.