Diary 2

Just found out the operation I had on my hand wasn't successful Gutted. Anyway here's to another bet-free day with no deceit, self-delusion, anxiety and robotic-like trips to the cash machine. Cheers y'all.

Sorry to hear it, wish you well.

CW

Dont have any idea how many people read my diary but that's OK. I just wanted to reiterate for those people (not being judgemental) who go into loads of detail about the money they have lost. IT IS GONE - £2, £2,000, £200,000 - gone, gone gone. Yes, some of us have accumulated debts that have to be addressed including me. But think about what the addiction has done to your mind, your relationships, lying, borrowing money, the stress and anxiety it can cause. Does anyone really want to live like that? I know that I don't and I realised quite early on (with the help of some good people on this forum) that the money is not the main issue. I know I go on about this but I think it is very important.

Hope to hit my head on the pillow tonight after a bet-free day with all the right measures and attitude in place - one day at a time. I'm not a number cruncher but d**n I'll be proud if I hit another milestone tomorrow. All the best, Phil

Keep going the way you are going Phil and you will the double centuary and many more milestones. I get the same frustrations as you about the money issue, I think we all come here because of the lack of funds in teh first place but in time I like you realised there is a bigger picture, people will get it in their own time as long as we have people like you sharing and supporting to help guide people like we was guided to come to the conclusions we have.

Keep sharing Phil, I might not comment all the time but you can rest assured I read all your posts and if I have something to offer I won’t hesitate to post to you.

Well I made it - short-time compared to some and not the most important thing but I've hit 200 days when I never even thought I could make five and feel really pleased. All the right measures in place, looking at my behaviour etc and going to keep going....one day at a time.

Hi Phil , just popped by to wish you well and congratulate you on your 200 days . All the best fella and enjoy your day .

Congratulations Phil 200 days of winning keep it up

Good for you, Phil, a milestone on the journey.

CW

Congratulations Phil 200 day's of doing it right

Hi just been reading some desperate posts were people are talking about the debt they have got through gambling or blowing all their wages. My advice and as always just my view:

If you owe money and are determined to stop gambling, listen to the right people, give Gamblers Anonymous a try, self-exclude, think about your mental state and what drove you to bet compulsively etc get your b**t to an organisation like Step Change as soon as possible. You will be helped to go through incomings and outgoings, an affordable amount will be taken by them each month and distributed proportionatally to your creditors. You will receive a monthly statement from Step Change and it is a good feeling seeing your debt reduce and also when you will finish paying it off - in my case, July 2017. I'm still broke but am surviving financially and it is great a) not to have the monkey on my back and b) no more letters, e-mails, phone calls and text messages from creditors. Give it a go - it's working for me and lots of other people.

Best wishes and as always - one day at a time. Phil.

It's been good to see you posting and offering advice.

You have a lot to give, things you have learnt in here and elsewhere and put into practice. You might not of always agreed with it but your certainly improving your life on a daily bases.

KTF

Hi Phil just had the pleasure of reading your diary. I say the pleasure as you are a success story 🙂 The thing that shine through for me was your honesty and the struggle. Like many on here (myself included) you still have a lot of debt but you have accepted it and are dealing with it something I'm now doing. Massive congrats on 200+ days! Like Oldham says it's good to see you offering advice or still taking us through your journey some day I hope to be in treble figures. I wish you well in your continued recovery! 🙂

Thanks for the responses. I've always said that this for me - and I think many other people - is a one day at a time journey and I have had a lot of help from this forum and other sources. I still feel fearful a lot of the time. For example, last week I went to Shrewsbury to meet my mum and as I live in Cardiff I'm not self-excluded from any bookies in Shrewsbury! But you know with the right mind set that fear can be overcome What would having a bet achieve? Would I feel happy? Would I get a buzz? No I would feel like c***P and consequently that feeling of fear quickly left me and I had a nice few hours with my mum. I don't want to gamble but I know humility is important and realising that the money is not coming back and we have to take responsibility for any debts we have accumulated. That's why Step Change is so helpful - once your plan is set up it gives you some peace of mind. I understand why people say I "lost £3,000" or was up "£3,000 then blew it" but is dwelling on those losses in the long-term going to help with your recovery?

As always that's just my view. Here's to another bet-free day and one day at a time let's make our life happier and learn more about ourselves, motivations and staying bet-free without gritting our teeth if you know what I mean!

Best wishes, Phil

I'm staying off everything as my posts above state. One day at a time.

My summer: hayfever; failed operation on hand and problems with teeth but no gambling one day at a time.