Boxing Day 1

Hi Sam Crow

Thank you for your post on my diary - and well done on your great number of days gamble free - very impressive. I'd love to follow in your footsteps. Im not completely alone with my addiction - my best friend knows everything and helps me a lot. This time feels different - I really want to clear my gambling debts and put a stop once and for all on the misery gambling causes. I think it's mindset rather than willpower that's changed. I don't want to gamble. I know it doesn't bring pleasure. I know it always ends in mounting debt. I've proven time and time again that I can't gamble on a social level. Every single time I get pulled in and end up wasting hundreds at a time. I really believe this time I can do it. I never ever want to gamble again.

Day five and checking in on my diary - all is well

Day six and day to day finances are looking brighter. I'm still feeling incredibly stressed and I don't really know how much of this is down to my gambling issues or just general stress and anxiety with every day life like work, family and relationships. Gambling hasn't been dominating my thoughts so that's a positive. Just feeling very stressed at the moment with recurring headaches and neck pain - I think it could be anxiety. I've started a new role at work and lots going on at home and in relationships. Kinda feels like I've a lot on that's all.

Guess it's just my coping mechanisms aren't doing great with every day life.

Anyway I'll try to stay positive and enjoy the weekend off work. Bought a few new clothes last night online and I've begun Christmas shopping for the children. Nice to have no money wasted on gambling this week. I darent think too much about how much I've spent again this past six months on gambling, it's depressing.

Committed to quitting till Christmas now so that I can afford to get the nice presents for my family and not feel guilty about cutting back due to gambling.

I could really do with a holiday at the moment - but that will be next year.

For now Im hoping to book a night away in a couple of weeks time. Still debating whether I can afford it. Wish I put this much thought into it when mindlessly chucking money in the slots.

Trying to stay positive here but struggling a tad !

Hi Boxingdayfresh, thanks for the post on my Diary.......Like myself you are not new to this fourm and have had several tries at quitting in the past, the big differance for me this time is the blocking software i have now installed on my laptop which works really well for me so when i do get the urge to gamble (which is pretty often) it is impossible for me to do so.Great to see you join the Guru Challenge i always look forward to the Sunday updates to see how eveyrone is doing, sorry to here you are struggling a tad at the minute but just think how good christmas will be when you are still gamble free, wishing you well in your recovery and things will improve for you as your gf days mount up....All the best....

Checking in on day 8!

Still determined and feeling good to be back on track.

Day 10.

I'm happy to be in double figures, it's been a long time since I've been gamble free for 10 days!

Day 14 and still on track - posted in the GURU challenge - really want to get to 300 days - that's my mission.

23 whole days now & still on track and focussed - Christmas will be a whole lot better without the constant draining of funds into the slots.

I'm feeling focussed and I'm still part of the Guru Challenge and now the Christmas Challenge too! I can do this, one day at a time !

Day 26 and still on track - definitely doing it for Christmas and going to enjoy having enough cash to enjoy and spoil the family - that's worth far more than any gambling buzz.

Congratulations boxingdayfresh on 70 days gamble free. Reading your posts on the Guru Challenge thread and you seem very focussed and determined.

We can definitely get through a day without gambling so it's just a case of stringing the days together.

Morning boxingdayfresh. Glad to see your back on track with renewed determination and hope. Wishing you well in your recovery.

Thank you the encouraging words following my recent return to the stupidity and madness of pouring my hard earned money into a bookies pocket. It was heartwarming to receive support from my gamcare friends.

I sincerely hope we can succeed this time around. I am one week behind you now and let's hope it stays that way.

23 days - I can do it this time.

Congratulations on 1 month gamble free.

You are making excellent progress and are aware of the dangers that we are faced with.

I am one week behind you and hoping that's the way it stays...stephen

Thank you for posting on my diary.

Great to see your still going strong and are now 40 days gamble free.

Feeling the strength to make this DAY one, again.

That is all. Will post more once I’m back in the saddle properly and I can say I’m definitely ready to give it up, again.