Boxing Day 1

Hey Clare!

So good to see you are still going strong too! 😉 I have not had much trouble self excluding from any of my accounts but I did have to log in and speak to an advisor. Was the best feeling (sounds bizarre!) when my accounts were no longer accessible at all for a long time...one company would only self exclude me for 6 months though, which i think is a little c**P...as soon as it comes back online I need to ask them to self exclude it for the max term possible, or I will be back in the depth of hell I am in now!!

We can do this!! 🙂

Mel x

Well well. It's two weeks I'm already feeling a lot happier in myself. Like I've lifted from the stress and worry gambling brought me. Monday sees the start of my finances going back to 'normal' and finally feeling the financial benefit of stopping gambling.

That daft company I was ranting about needless to say did eventually exclude my account without me logging back in. Couldn't believe they were encouraging me to log in and making the process more difficult in the hope I wouldn't close or self exclude of worse still that I went and gambled again. Yes ODAAT there should be a responsible gambling ombudsman absolutely. Maybe one day !

I've decided not to change my email address Stephen but at the click of the mouse I can permanently delete and block any gambling emails that come through.

Started eating healthier now too decided to start exercising .... it's time to start getting in shape for my holiday in July. I've found out I've put on about a stone the last six months and without wanting to blame gambling for everything it probably is partially responsible for me spending too much time sitting and not spending time thinking about things like eating healthily too.

Hope everyone else doing well on their journey too

Clare x

Look @ you 2 weeks down - Great going girlie 🙂

Thank you 🙂 it's actually a little easier now I'm getting into new routines and I'm planning more things for the future. Already eyeing up a little spa break for the end of March as a three month treat 🙂 can't waste a penny at the moment. Everything is accounted for - saving up is the new obsession :)) hope you're doing well ODAAT.

Clare x

Hi Clare!

Sorry, I was so tired yesterday I checked in the challenge and then went to bed lol! I am so rock and roll eh? 🙂

Well done you mrs on you're 15 days = brilliant!! so very well done, looks like the barriers you have in place have served you well...I honestly dont know that if they were still there for me I would be on day 11...but like you say its finding a 'new' routine to fill the time gap for when we would have been spending it gambling!!

Oooo, the spa break sounds lush! 🙂 something to aim for that will be a fantastic treat - I love spa days, best have them on fridays so you dont have to go back to work after all that relaxing, ha!

Mel xx

Day 16 - half a month 🙂

I'm feeling extremely positive and optimistic at the moment. Seem to have regained a lot of my enthusiasm for making plans and just doing more things in general. Been getting lots of little niggly jobs done that, in the past, I'd have put off due to being more interested in gambling.

Onwards and upwards. Booking my spa break in the morning. Enjoyed spending time choosing where n when to go and which package to choose. Luckily don't need to pay for it till March which gives yet another reason to stay stopped. Need to save the pennies to pay for it .. Although got a great deal I'm pleased with :).

Yes Mel - you're right I don't think I could have done it without the physical blocks in place. I still don't know the last three digits on the signature strip and not being able to log into any gambling sites has been comforting and meant urges have been extinguished quickly. Going to check in on the 2015 challenge now it's Saturday 🙂

Hi Clare,

Hope that lovely spa break is booked for you - well jealous! ha ha...if I am good I think it might be worth booking one for our wedding anniversary in April, we will have been married 2 years in April and still have not got round to collecting our wedding album!!! So, thats priority this year now I have got my head out of my ar8e!!! 😀

Well done for staying strong and positive - I have struggled today but it helps lift my mood when I read peoples stories about 'life after gambling' and planning things - even if we are to concentrate on each day as it comes (which is certainly my case today 🙁 ), I think it all helps refocus the mind to stay positive having both long term and short term goals.

Mel xx

Hey Mel

The spa is booked ! I have always been a kinda plan things and do things kinda person. I have missed being this way as I think over the past few months the gambling focus has inhibited this nature and also the resulting lack of funds from constantly losing £'s.

Thanks - I am finding it not too bad now to resist as it is not in my routine any more. Other, more important things are filling my head and time. I hope you are feeling a bit better Mel. I couldn't agree with you more about the short term and long term goals being the key. They are definitely fuelling my motivation and I don't want to look back. I think you should definitely look into booking a break away in April - might be just what you need as a short term goal to celebrate your anniversary and your success.

Clare x

Day 17 and bedtime for me.

Looking forward to reading the second update in the 2015 challenge in the morning 🙂

Hi Clare, thanks for popping by my diary. It's great to hear you are so positive. Like you, I am so glad to have downloaded the blocking software. I, too have had problems self-excluding as these companies are like vultures when they see someone struggling. Keep strong, we can do it

annie

Hey Annie

Thanks for your support. I'm doing well thanks and glad you are too. 2015 is definitely the year to turn things around. I'm absolutely committed and never ever want to go back to uncontrollably losing money.

Clare x

Day 18

No major urges to play it's just odd fleeting thoughts now n again. Keeping busy and making future plans and being 100% on top of my finances is the key for me. Today marks the day I get some money available to spend and feels great. Here's to the start of having disposable income to use on living not gambling.

Feeling good 🙂

Welcome to Day 18 🙂 Be sure to spend that money wisely on lots of lovely things to stick 2 fingers up to the addiction with 😉 It's had it's day!

Be safe, stay strong - ODAAT

Hey ODAAT. Thank you and believe me I won't struggle to spend my money hehe. Always looking at things to buy or places to go and it's helping keep me focused on enjoying the pennies and not throwing them away gambling.

And yes those fingers are in the air and those days are gone. Not going back there, not ever 🙂

Love that positivity Claire, and 18 days clean, keep going.

Suzanne xx