Day 39 and counting

Keep going mate. I agree Gamstop is a god send. Let’s do all we can to improve the lives of those we love and make up for lost time. Have a good weekend

We did it stu! 50days gf! We are doing great! Onwards and upwards!

Sarah xx

Congrats stu. You've done it everyday for 50 days now, everyday repeat what you've done and life will keep getting better for you and the ones you love. Freedom is yours for the taking.

All the best.

56 days gf. Can't believe it really. I was so dependent on gambling, I didn't think I could survive a day without it.

I am proud of what I have achieved. Thank you everyone for your support and encouragement. So this is the 2nd payday in a row where I have not gambled any of my hard earned money. I was in the cycle of being paid and then gambling too much for 7 years. I hope I have broken that cycle. And I don't want to gamble either. I can see that it wrecked my life and the life of my loved ones. I don't want my children to remember me as a problem gambler, but just a loving dad.

Its a long story but basically my DMP with step change had to close about 6 months ago. Even though I was in a DMP I was still gambling and therefore missed payments. The staff at stepchange have been so lovely and helpful throughout all this nightmare. The result is that I have had to negotiate with my creditors myself to arrange a payment plan for my remaining debts. Thankfully there is not much left to pay off. But I do have about 10 pay day loans!!! can you believe it- I remember being so desperate to gamble that I took out one loan after another. It makes me shudder to think how stupid I was and how much money I am paying in interest.. So I have just a couple more months of paying them off and then they are done and dusted. After they are paid off then my finances will look a lot better.

Any way, been paid today and did some Christmas shopping- so for once I am not scrabbling around for money to buy presents.

I am content, thankful for all my blessings. Taking one day at a time.

Stuxx

Massive well done.

Keep posting, attend GA if possible

Always be on guard for boredom & complacency

Stay strong - a day at a time

58 days gf

Mass today and then a day with the family. lovely.

No gambling. Nope, don't want it- get lost gambling you ruined my life for far too long.

Stux

Day 65

Christmas preparations in full swing now. Although money is tight I feel so much different than I have for many years. I have bought most of the presents I need to and I am not scrabbling around to buy presents this year, but it is a lot more than that. Now the gambling haze has lifted I can see life with 'fresh eyes'. I am not asking myself where the next bet is coming from anymore, but I hope I am being a better dad and husband, and giving the proper time and energy I need to my work. I don't know how I managed to cram in sooo much gambling, it must have been so stressful, damaging for my well being and for those around me.

I have had some urges this week. Urges to escape the pressures of work and family etc... but I haven't given in to them. Thanks to GAMSTOP I haven't been able to. I haven't been able to get into the chatroom much either because of work, and I do miss that. Hopefully will try and visit chat this week.

Got a few scary presentations coming along at work, and normally I would rely on the gambling to get me through. But I'm not going to do that this time.

Any way its Sunday today, so Mass and family time.

I am content with what I have, thankful for the many blessings given to me. I do not need gambling and will not gamble today.

stay strong, God bless

Stux

65 days stu! Well done! Speak soon! Xx

Day 69
Felt really unwell today, sore throat, headache etc. And also really wanted a bet. But I didn't. Dunno why I had a strong urge today. Well the important thing is I didn't give in.
Got some family coming at the w/end for a pre Christmas Christmas Dinner if you know what I mean. So I'm gonna focus on that. And I'm gonna remember how I am gamble free in December, which hasn't happened for a long time.
We can do it everyone.
Who needs the headache of gambling at Christmas, not me thanks. Get lost gambling.
Stu xx

Day 80

Had massive urges again but didn’t act on them. Not sure if it’s getting easier, feels bloomin hard.

Giving thanks for what I’ve achieved. And the first gf Christmas for years.

Happy Christmas everyone

Stu xx

Massive achievement for you on 80days!

We shall continue to bat away those urges as we know this life is the better life!

Have a fabulous Christmas stu!

Sarah

Day 87

New Years Eve. Another pay day loan finished today. Slowly, very slowly my finances are recovering and for the first time in many years I have started to give to charity again. I don't write that to sound pious but because I want to celebrate giving to a good cause rather than to gambling. Just a couple of months ago I would have already have spent most of my remaining wages on gambling, I am thankful that I haven't done that. I still find myself 'missing' the buzz of gambling though, I don't want to but I can't help how I feel.

Christmas was lovely with my family and I know that if I keep going, a lot of my debts will be sorted out this year. The future is bright, I need to stay positive, just taking a day at a time. I will NOT gamble today, one step more on the road to recovery.

Every good wish and blessing for 2019 everyone

Stuxx

Wishing you and your family a fabulous gf 2019!

Happy new year stu! Here is to a happy new us!

Sarah

100 days tomorrow stu!

Other than the obvious with my brother I’m doing ok. I wish you all the best.

Looking forward, never back!

Take Care,

Sarah

100 days gf
I am content with life and thankful for all my blessings.

I will choose not to forget the depths of despair that I went thru at my lowest.
I am grateful I am not gambling but if I am honest I miss the buzz. But all it gifted me was pain and misery, life is much better without gambling.

Stay strong folks. Lit a candle for you all today.
Stu x