From here to a year

Hi Sharon ,

Well done for staying strong ! I know it’s easy to say to forget about the debts but time flies and it will soon be all cleared . Keep up the good work 🙂

Sars

You are such a kind and considerate person to other forum users including me. All the best, Phil.

@Sars27 thanks so much for your supportive words as always. I'm sticking with odaat but also making mini goals financially and personally for a brighter future.

@Phil72 thanks for posting and being a constant source of advice and compassion.

Today I'm just going with this 'It'S not a matter of letting go-you would if you could. Instead of let it go we should probably say let it be' take care S:)

Sharon,

Pleased to read you are still going strong. The debts being with Payplan is a good thing, will take the heat off you from your creditors. You will get debt free one day and imagine that sense of achievement when you do.

Take care.

Matt

So 1st December is here and for the first time in years I don't feel the financial stress that gambling put upon me for the last 5 years, havevoaid bills and have enough for a comfortable time. I know Miley Cyrus is a bit marmite but the lyrics of 'the climb' are worth a listen. Take care all S:)

Have had a full day doing house stuff, including getting the Xmas gear out of the loft. Really looking forward to a comfortable time not stressing about money, has been a long time coming! Absolutely no room in my life for gambling and the misery it brings, take care S:)

Hi Sharon

Thank you for your kind words on my diary it means a lot. Stressing out about money is about what we see and what others have and we want a piece of that car or a better house or things we think we need, so whats the quickest way to get that, lets look around, "Ahh Gambling" - Mr A Smith from Derby holding his 5 million pound massive check with a glass of champage " On my first ever £10 deposit I scooped the jackpot on my 30p spin" and there they are loads of winners holding massive checks. We will have some of that we find out the games and start plugging away a few times and we can hit it " Please be the big one" fingers crossed oh no so close just £40 this time or the bonus that never gets near the centre, delve in deeper and the odds of winning are in the trillions 234,000,000,000-1 a mugs game, like you say it brings misery as eveyday people chase hopeless dreams and in the process leave a mountain of debt in our trails. More and more companies jump on the casino bandwagon as the riches it brings for super rich folks not caring that a nation is secrely addicted, they dont care. Keep going Sharon you are an inspiration to others, enjoy Christmas for what it is x

Day 266 Thanks Smashed, always really useful to have inputas I must admit sometimes I feel isolated and moving at snails pace. I agree with you, every penny you spend makes the hole deeper to get out of. After Christmas I will hopefully be working a little less and have a few hours more to myself as at present I'm stuck in a work/housework cycle and feel like a whinge but need something for me. Here's to a GF future with a clear head and a spring in our step. Take care S:)

Hi Sharon.

Just to say supportively that I've got a few hundred pounds left to pay through StepChange who have helped me enormously. It's great to be able to see the finishing line ahead and after I've cleared my gambling debts I will strive to maintain the one day at a time approach.

Another great example of the benefits of being gamble-free is that I had to have private treatment for a problem with my right ear as I could not possibly wait to see an NHS consultant. I would never have been able to afford it if I'd continued to gamble.

Everyday bet-free is a great day despite adversity and ups and downs.

Best wishes as always, Phil.

Hey Sharon. .
Thanks for popping over to my diary. ..I'm glad it helps you..
Look at yours days mounting up love...huge respect to you for fighting the fight..
I get what you're saying about
"Life standing still "
For me it was kind of ..."so this is it now then "
I suppose because we spent so much time gambling we have to rebuild our routines...
It's an ever changing journey love....
I tend to go with the flow now...
Deal with things as they crop up...
As best as I can....
It's my life now...im not a slot machines prisoner. ...
The stage will pass love...limbo land is not for ever...it's just another part of the journey....
You're getting stronger and stronger all the time....
Be kind to yourself. ...xx

@Loxxie your kind, thoughtful words mean so much Thank you. Really looking forward to the weekend, Christmas Dec's up tonight then a rare night out tomorrow. Hope everyone has a fun weekend planned, I realise now that gambling sucked me dry of good feelings....joy, positivity, motivation etc all went out the window, But I'm gradually getting them back. It's hard to break the cycle but when you do it shows you what you'very been missing. Take care S:)

Hi Sharon.Thankyou for posting on my diary, the support has kept my spirits up.

Great day in sunny Hull, blue skies and chilly but still a lovely day. I sm feeling better today although still chest pains and breathing's not too good. Going to haul my sorry backside off to a 'five rhythm dance' tonight, told the dj i'll sit out quite a bit but will be good to join in the fun.

Tormented a bit with urges to gamble, the addiction trying to fill my head with the usual nonsense. Feel strong enough to keep saying NO but it does frighten me to be honest. Loxxie's post struck a chord as I do feel like i'm in limbo at the moment. The misery of a gambling binge not far behind me and sometimes recovery just seems to be so far away. I will keep your advice in mind and take one day at a time cos I know that will work for me. A month ago everything was looking rosy so I need to get that mindset back. Sorry if I've rambled on a bit. Take care. Stephen x

Enjoy your night out tommorow Sharon dont get too drunk, get tipsy, well super tipsy is allowed, just enjoy yourself because like you say gambling will take your money but once it's done that then it affects you, your mood, your persona, your interaction as you cant just shake it off like a duck shakes off water it hurts to lose your money for nothing and then you have to adjust to compromise your losses while still keeping that brave front on like its all gravy. Have a good weekend 🙂

Hi Smashed
Thanks, will enjoy but am quite good at knowing where to draw the line! Things are sloely slotting into place financially and I have made mini, realistic goals. Havr a great weekend S:)