Easy does it!

I've sat and read the entirety of your journal this morning, and it's really made me think. You are incredible for getting this far, and it gives me a huge boost to know that people can get back on track if they're determined enough. I've also taken to heart what you said about leaving doors open just incase, and realised that I've done that. So in the next three minutes, I'm going to go and close that door tightly and lock it. Thank you for providing that sliver of self-awareness 🙂

I am reading lots of new members that appeared worried about their addiction etc. I, too, was devastated that I was not perfect. However, after some time, I am now relieved that I understand I cannot gamble safely. It is part of my make up along with the money I owe etc. It is part of me and I like me today for who I am. I have a relationship with myself and know my limitations. Anyone new on this site please give yourself a fighting chance and get to know yourself. We are all decent people and did not set out to trash our lives and those close to us. Please, please, please hang around long enough to see that tis cycle can be broken and we can live side by side with this addiction. I will never beat it but that is fine. I live with that. I am not at war with betting establishments I just choose not to give them anymore cash. Take care and keep posting!

hear hear! good post

If you are thinking about going for a quick fix today to nick a few quid for Xmas can I tell you "DON'T BOTHER".

We have all tried it and the more you win the more you lose. Any money you get from bookies is borrowed and they know it. Keep your money in your pockets how ever little you have. do not make it worse.

Hope everyone gets the hang of this recovery real soon as it is good to be on tis side of the fence. Take it easy and keep posting!

Merry Christmas Smiler 🙂

Del xo

Today is like any other day with lots of sporting activities to entice us into the bookies. Just take it easy and let the day go by. If you gamble today and win you'll lose tomorrow. Just enjoy it for what it is. I was party to a conversation yesterday and a friend knows the owners of a horse that is running today and is going to have a real go and is worth a bet "apparently". I thought about it and firstly thought it isn't compulsive gambling but then realised it would get me back into action rather quickly so I'll give it a miss. If I manage to hear if it won or not it will not matter. Take care

Thanks Ade

Not sure what happened in the race and not really interested. I'm sure I'lll hear in due course. Other than that I have had a great day playing games and chatting with family watching children play their games. No gambling in site and none tomorrow either. Take care

Glad to hear that you had a great Boxing Day doing normal family things.

Plenty more of this to come, so why on earth throw all your hard-earned money away by gambling?!

GT

Strange one today was watching racing as at mum in laws and she watches it without gambling. I watched it for what it was and found it impossible to answer myself a question and that was what did I get out of betting on these horses? Maybe I have moved on but I could not see anything at all that would have made me want to place a bet. Everyting else going well so long may it last. I understand that some people struggle this time of year so if you are please hang in there. These times pass by the same as any other. Take care

And you take care too.

It must have been a good feeling being able to enjoy the sport for what it was intended for.

I consider myself so lucky to be able to enjoy the football without worrying about placing bets. I am absolutely disgusted at the range of betting opportunities that there is on offer now - I mean, time of next corner kick - ridiculous!

GT

I sometimes wonder if emotions are bad for me either high or low. I have been relatively been happy over Xmas and feeling grest sround my family. Now the feeling is subsiding and I feel I am going into a down feeling. Starting to concentrate on the bad things in the world. I have to learn to accept that i have no control over certain things and should let go. I'm not in a bad way by any shakes but just feeling a little down. It is about avoiding highs and lows I guess which isn't very fair! However if i'm aware of this I guess I know it's coming. So for me I need to stay on an even keel. Hopefully will get better with time. If you are reading these diaries for the first time take from it what works for you. I post all my thoughts and feelings sometimes and some of it is garbage to others but it helps me. Take care

Hi Smiler,

re your post on the 27th, yes, strip away the money and there's not much left is there? There has to be a 'prize' of some sort...for people who actually go to sporting events, it 's the thrill of 'our tribe beat your tribe', but for horse bets (and BJ, my thing) there really isn't much to feel good about without a bet of some kind.

Still, it's easy to be wise in retrospect!

merry everything, Smiler

I know exactly what you mean about the feelings Smiler - Ironically I got a YoYo in a christmas cracker and I've been keeping it by my bed - As like me at the moment one minute it can be up, the next it can be down.

A week ago I finished work for the holidays and felt on a high, right now I almost feel like I want to be back at work!

Least my mind no longer seems to think gambling will help in any of this I suppose!

I am doing it again with work. I worked Weds, Thurs and Friday this week and wanted 4 days off but have agreed to take just 3. I am my own boss and should call the shots but I have a fear of runnig out of money and it is madness. My wife works full time in a good job so we'll never go hungry (fingers crossed). I really have to get a grip of this workaholic attitude and get a happy balance. Other than that there is no gambling thoughts entered my mind. Take care and hopefully we'll all have a good 2012!

By identifying the issue, you will start to really think about getting the right balance for yourself and your wife.

Take it easy, eh?

GT