Friend has my bank card.

Hi Stephen,

I hope you're doing well. Just wanted to say a huge congratulations on your 50+ gamble free days. I'm glad you had a good day yesterday with your friend. I hope you have a great week ahead. Take care.

Pras

Thank you for posting on my diary Pras.

Thoughts of gambling come into my head but I distract them by keeping my mind occupied on other things. Yesterday was good, I went for a walk, visited the gym for a swim and in the evening went Salsa dancing.

I have set myself 3 goals: 1/ I won't gamble today. 2/ I will endeavour to become a Guru on The Guru Challenge with 300 gamble free days. 3/ A full year of not having a bet will be the icing on my gamble free cake.

No more the fool ~ I'm gonna be cool

My mind is set and I will not bet

Giving money to the bookies is a total farce so gambling demons can kiss my ... contributions goodbye

Hi Stephen glad you had a super Sunday, it'S the little pleasures in life isn't it? Which become more apparent when we're not gambling. I think you should be official wordsmith for the site! Haven't posted until mnow as have been working stacks but Happy Wednesday Sx

Hi Stephen just wanted to thank you so much for your lovely words on my diary I’ve replied there but also wanted to post here and see how your getting on. Glad you had nice weekend too. 56 days I missed your 50 days! Wow where’s that gone? To think we wasted so much time as well of course money. I hate gambling now and like you think it’s awful how they prey on vulnerable ppl. Your doing so well Stephen and keep going life is so much better isn’t it even with our different issues etc not gambling brings amazing peace. Wishing you many many days of happiness and peace too Stephen thanks again for your lovely words. Bestest wishes x Lulu x

Thank you Sharon & Lulu for the posts on my diary.

There has been posts/threads advising that GamStop is now operating, whereby one can self exclude from all uk online casinos in the uk. So I have done that. Advice on how to do so is posted in a thread on the Overcoming Problem Gambling section of the forum.

I started an experiment yesterday to see if meditation will help to strengthen my resolve, relax my mind and give me more clarity. Morning and night I don my headphones and join in the Green Tara Mantra on You Tube for about 20 minutes. Enjoying it so far and finding it relaxing. I have started a thread on the overcoming problem gambling section. It would be interesting to read the views of anyone who has tried meditation.

Hi Stephen, firstly thanks for writing on my diary the other day. Much appreciated mate. I’m really going through the mill at the moment and I appreciate your support.

Well done on reaching 58 days yourself. You’re doing great.

You had a wobbly period at the end of February but you’ve come through that and you’re well on your way to a happier, more fulfilling life. Keep up the good work pal!

Dan

Thank you Dan, I sincerely hope this is the time you can get it all together. I don't know if your aware but GamStop is now in operation whereby we can self exclude from all uk registered online bookmakers. Info can be found on the forum and Mixer covered it in a recent post on the Guru Challenge.

Morning Diary. Everything looking rosy. I met a friend yesterday for lunch, haven't seen her for a while so it was good to catch up. We strolled around town and ducked into the Art Gallery and the Minster (shelter from the rain with a bit of culture.) Last night attended GA meeting which was quite thought provoking.

Almost 2 months since I last gambled.

Still doing my meditation twice a day which I am enjoying. It is a mantra so if i'm sat on the bus I can do it in my head for 10 minutes and have a little relax during the journey.

Before I was stressing and down on my knees

But now i'm progressing and life is a breeze

You seem in a good place Steven, which is good to see, and adopting new methods as you have had enough. Heads up for the Gamstop going live, I registered straight away and looked at all the companies I used to gamble with, I signed up for the full 5 years and took a huge sigh of relief, we're all getting there. Love the life you live so you can live the life you love.

Thank you Smashed. I follow your journey with admiration and respect your courage and commitment.

Morning Diary - feeling very jolly today. Going for a swim later than to my friends house tonight for a Vegetarian Chilli (Very Tasty) and watch telly.

Happy as a lark ~ Stephen the Stoic

Reflective, calm ~ feeling euphoric

Gamble free 60 days ~ striving to do his best

With faith, hope and a smiley face he ventures on his quest

Your doing so well Stephen and keep going.

I love your thread title of Friend has my bank card - dont know why it just warms me i think it's the the raw honesty of the title.

Sending you thoughts of success and I just get this feeling we are going to be just fine. :P

Hi Stephen,

Forgot to log in to the 2018 challenge so just been on it, and for some reason the post that popped up was you apologizing for going on an FOBT ... I nearly had a heart attack! I then calmed down and realised it was one from January ... I really think (and hope) that you seem to be in a great place at the moment, and it really cheers me up. Your last post was great ... not sure I've managed to reach euphoria in my quest for abstinence yet, but here's hoping! Rich

Thank you Sammy and Rich for your kind words on my diary.

I gambled today. I had got the bank card off my friend to make some payments but ended up in the betting shop.

It doesn't make any sense but it never does. This month I will be struggling now, plus I've let my friend down.

I don't really know what went through my mind as I had been feeling quite positive and enjoying life.

I am taking a break from the diaries but will be back after a while. Best wishes to everyone..stephen

I’m sorry to hear about your relapse, Stephen.

Is this something that you could see or feel coming? Or did it come out of the blue?

Don’t give up though mate. You’ve had a good run and have had a slip up. Hopefully those slip ups will occur less and less as time goes on.

Keep battling mate. We’re all in this together.

Dan

Sorry to hear of your troubles Stephen, as hard as it may seem try and stay positive, you are a big presence on here and a great help to me and many others,take time to regroup and hope to here from you again soon.

Thank you Dan and Chartom for your support and encouragement.

I was feeling confident about my recovery but I was weak.

Fortunately I kept enough to pay the bills so I will get by and I didn't borrow any more.

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