Easy does it!

The compulsion to keep posting on here is leaving me so I have to be careful. This is where it usually goes downhill for me. I recognise the pattern so I'll take it easy. I have really got in the groove of recovery and to throw that away now would be awful. The good news is I am very strong at present. Hopefully I'll get posting again soon but still got the cold/man flu so maybe not feeling 100% is contributing. Hope any new people on here get this quickly and don't go back out to suffer needlessly. Take care

Had a couple of days holiday but back this morning. Just plod on till 5pm. Life is not good at moment but if I don't gamble I can deal with almost anything life throws at me. I have to start making plans rather than drift through aimlessly. Hope all is well with everyone, if not post, post, post it works. Take care

Hi Smiler

You are so right Post ,post ,post and post some more.I have done this always through my recovery.Indeed today im feeling depressed myself but i am not going to ruin all my good work and go to the bookies.

You are also right in that you shouldnt just drift along aimlessly.

I myself used to to small goals say 1 month then 3 months maybe 6 months and at the end of each goal treat myself.Maybe something new to wear o a weekend in a hotel with the missus.The main thing is while you stay gamblefree you can sort the other things out .Stay strong Jeff.

Like Jeff said, I am finding this short term target working really well. I have had a 60 day target (which was a bit too long) followed by this current 28 day target.

And both treats sound small to you but they are huge to me - roast dinners!

Like you, I find that posting a lot helps me in my recovery journey but don't feel that not posting will let us down.

It's what you feel helps you in your recovery journey.

Which is still going great, keep it up!

GT

Hiya Smiler,

Sorry to hear life isn't good a the mo..I hope things improve soon for ya. Take care and have a peaceful weekend.

Del xox

Thanks for the posts. I feel better tonight for some reason. I think it's my work that I just don't like but have to put up with it. My moods are usually OK when I don't gamble but this week I've bounced around a little. At least I never gambled and never really contemplated it. Hope everyone has a good clean gamble free weekend. Take care

Still got the sniffles but no gambling thoughts. Working for a few hours today so keeping busy is good for me at the moment. Should not over do it though but finding the balance is something I find tricky. I am an all or nothing person which might be a trait of an addict!!! Hope everyone has a good day today. Take care

That's me a few months into a good recovery and I'm starting to think is this all there is to life. Need to get positive! I'm not negative though but just need a purpose for what is going on in my life. I work long hours and find it hard to get a balance. Anger underpins my life although it does not manifest itself in any way but it is there. Hopefully I'll be fine in the coming days. Feeling very tired so that might be a contributing factor. Take care and keep posting

Hey smiler, you are doing really well with your recovery. I understand that working long hours can upset your life but if you were working those hours and gambling I am sure you would feel a lot more stressed. Have a good day and keep positive x

Thanks to both of you. I'll be fine just got to keep working through it. I just went to get shopping and really thought about getting scratch cards for some mad reason. I didn't, but the thought of getting rich quick, is something that lingers in the back of my mind. I must dismiss this crazy idea. Thanks again keep posting

Hi Smiler,

Just remember...

...One tiny, tiny bet away from disaster.

This recovery journey does not come without its pitfalls and each challenge that you overcome you will become stronger.

And you will beat this current challenge. You have come too far to lose this one.

Stay very strong and very positive.

GT

Thanks guys

I am OK just not 100% but will get back on track. A few months ago whilst in recovery I used to purchase lottery and scratch cards but now I swerve them. I am stronger than before and know it is a matter of time before I feel better. Take care and post

Hey Smiler,

Cheers for the post on my diary, I agree that enjoying sport without having anything riding on the outcome is definitely the way to go.

And being Welsh of course, seeing the football and the rugby teams picking up wins in the same weekend is a bit of a collectors' item!

Reading your diary, I know what you mean about the work getting you down, I used to work long shifts too, and took more on to fund gambling habits, and still ended up with nothing, but once you start seeing that money going towards something positive, then I found that it wasn't so bad.

All the best

Ryan

Funny thoughts came to me yesterday as I felt like I wanted to gamble but knew I wouldn't. Just got to be on my guard until the craziness goes by.

In a better frame of mind tonight but have I had a rocky day. Really wanted to gamble for a split second on two occassions but managed to get myself back into the right frame of mind. I believe ,the only reason I never drove a few miles down the road, was the fact I have put in so much hard work in the last couple of months and I did not want to undo it all with one moment of madness. I knew I was setting myself up as I started carrying extra cash. I have now handed over the cash to my wife so feeling much better. This is one bad addiction I am fighting but one day at a time and it will get better. I am relieved I am indoors now and never gambled. I will learn from today. Taker care one and all and keep posting. phew..!