From here to a year

Well I survived my night out, which was rather tame! and only spent £20. Went out with a good friend who has had a really rough year but we made a pact to be kind to ourselves and make more time to have fun. Off out to buy a new diary, set a realistic budget and carry on kicking gambling b**t. Happy Sunday, take care S:)

Love the message in your last post Sharon. "Went out with a good friend who has had a really rough year but we made a pact to be kind to ourselves and make more time to have fun."

That's what life should be all about: having fun, accepting responsibility, showing kindness and respect to ourselves and others whilst being there for our friends and loved ones.

The alternative involves bowing down before the slots and fobts of fat cat gambling companies who love to see lost souls on their knees feeling utterly wretched and living a tormented nightmare.

After what we have all been through, it beggars belief that any of us would go back to gambling. Sadly though it is a very difficult addiction to overcome and requires a lot of courage and determination. People like yourself are both an inspiration and a reminder that it can be done so keep blazing that trail. Respectfully yours. Stephen.

Hi Sharon

270 days, well done and glad you are realising that you are allowed to enjoy yourself. You are doing brilliantly keep it up.

Matt

Day 270

Stephen thank you for your thoughtful post, indeed life isn't a 24/7 hoot but we all deserve happiness, things to look forward to and a treat now and then, gambling removed any good thoughts or feelings, I can see that more than ever now.Take care my friend S:)

Matt Thanks it's taken a long time to have that L'OrГ©al moment 'you're worth it' Everyones worth it! For a long time I felt like an outside looking in in what life could be like and I'm gradually getting there. Hope you have many happy memo from your trip, take care S:)

Day 274, closing in on the triple century girl, well played.

Thanks for your post on my diary, as always appreciated. I hope you enjoy the Weeekend too 🙂

Matt

Hi Sharon hope your happy and well.

Love your approach to recovery, when addiction comes calling you just say NO. Wonderful how you have always stood your ground with hope, courage and resilience.

No if's or but's or why me's. You decided enough was enough and set about rebuilding your life.

My dream is for a gamble free 2018.... Ps I've got a new thread.

Hi Sharon. Thank you for posting on my new thread.

Glad you enjoy singing "The Impossible Dream." It seems to me that you have turned the impossible dream into a reality and you have done it with style. Total respect for your recovery and the way you have gone about it.

I look forward to following your journey into 2018 and beyond. I'm on a mission to stay gamble free for the full year and I know I can do it with friends like you alongside me.

Hi Sharon

Thanks for your comments on my diary and your continued kind words and support. I hope you have a wonderful gamble free Christmas and santa is kind to you this year.

Enjoy and take care.

Matt

Hello Sharon. Hope your happy and well. Thankyou so much for all your help and support during 2017.

Wishing you every happiness over christmas and the new year.

Looking forward to sharing the journey with you for a full gamble free year in 2018...stephen

Hi Sharon,

Wishing you a very merry Christmas and a wonderful GF 2018 !

Sars

Thanks for posting on my diary Sharon. Lets look forward to 2018 🙂

Hello Sharon, hope your happy and well.

Only a couple of weeks and you will be 300 days gamble free. Your journey has been absolutely wonderful and you have shown me what can be achieved if I choose to stay strong and behave with courage and determination.

Look forward to joining you on the recovery road in 2018. Take care...stephen x x (I'm holding up some mistletoe).

All the best for the New Year Sharon.

Thank you for all of your help and support along the way.

xxx

Sharon. You are a shining example to others in so many ways. Looking forward. Working hard. Paying off debts. And refusing to let the past activities of despair cloud your judgement.

Good on you. Wishing you a fruitful 2018.

Thanks so much Change, likewise!! Been a winding road but am really looking forward to 2018. Best wishes and here's to a bright, GF future S:)