From here to a year

Sharon Superstar congratulations on 290 days gamble free.

Loved following your journey in 2017. Never wavering you have just kept going forward with a smile on your face and a heart full of hope. Truly an inspiration and I hope to follow your example.

I'm going to join the 2018 Challenge, the thought of a full calender year not gambling really gives me a nice feeling.

Wishing you peace, contentment and happy days in 2018....stephen x

Thank you Stephen, as always kind words an a shining light. Happy New Year everyone and here's to a GF and peaceful 2018 Sx

Day 291 Happy New Year everyone! ! Feeling positive about the New Year and making micro plans financially and personally but sticking to odaat as find big goals overwhelming, enjoying last day before work starts again. Take care and here's to a GF 2018 Sx

Day 293 Feeling abnormally chipper as January is usually dreary and a festive hangover. But after X amount of years have had the light bulb moment that the only person that can change things for me is me! So have 2-3 things I really want to do and the only thing preventing them is me so need to make sure this doesn't happen. Hope this positivit lasts, take care S:)

Hello Sharon. Wishing you a good weekend.

Next wednesday will see you 300 days into your recovery, that is wonderful. So very proud of the courage you have displayed and you certainly brighten up the recovery road with your humour and honesty plus the support you give to your gamcare friends.

I am going to follow your example...stephen x

Oh my - nearly 300 days!!!
Sharon, you're a shining example.
No wonder you're feeling chipper. Watch out world - Sharons coming to get ya!!
You go girl!! Xx

Day 297 @Astainer Stephen, what can I say? You have been a consistent supporter and friend since joining and I am so grateful to you and many others to know I'm not alone. This has been a fundamental factor to ongoing recovery. I have finally learnt that I was in a cycle of self punishment with gambling and no one deserves that, stay strong x

@Lml Thank you!! We are all in this together nd are claiming back our lives which are for living! X

Even though I have a stinker of a cold and it's January am trying to maintain a positive outlook and am making small changes to obtain goals. But the underlying base is to make it to bedtime everyday GF. Happy Sunday and lets make 2018 our year, take care S:)

Two more days and the big 300 ticks over, somehow makes me think of the film a film about choices which in some freaky way relates to gambling. Dont worry about a cold it will soon be gone, stick with the positivety and enjoy every day, smile about something and keep searching 🙂

Thanks Smashed, yeah the cold is nothing...at least I'm not a man lol otherwise I would be bed ridden!. Feels really exciting to go into 2018 GF and with endless possibilities. My eyes have bern opened to what life should be, take care S:)

Phil72 wrote:

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.

Hi phil, im new. I was reading this thread and noticed you are with step change, I am too but I'm just at the start. Can you tell me about your journey? Im feeling like I'm standing at the bottom of Everest and the minute and can't see a way over?

Hi Sharon. Sorry you have had a cold and hope your on the mend. Sending you a get well hug.

Tomorrow you will be 300 Days Gamble Free. That is a massive achievement and I know it has not been easy. You have battled feelings of shame and guilt, coped with taunting from the addiction and struggled to address your financial difficulties. In my eyes you are a hero and I am proud to be your friend.

At midnight I will be giving the air a mini punch and singing out; "Yihaaaa Sharon Superstar."

Wishing you well...stephen

Well done Sharon for achieving each and every giant step in your recovery on the way to reclaiming your life. You have shown a real strength and determination, which ultimately will result in you becoming debt free and ready to take on any challenges you face.

The down to earth advice and support you have given is fully appreciated, as well as your sense of humour.

Keep on doing the right things and you will thrive and prosper. Small steps - big targets. Because you're worth it!

Happy 300 GF DAYS Sharon!!!! Such an amazing milestone to achieve . Much respect and salute!

Sars

Day 300

@changemylife thanks so much for your kind words, I have found your journey inspirational and a good reference point. At the beginning I felt hopeless and that I would be stuck in the gambling cycle forever. Slowly but surely things change, days pass and moving forward happens, even if you don't notice x

@Sars27 Thank you! I do have a spring in my step today, for the 1st time in many years the New Year feels like it'S filled with opportunities and hope instead of dread and fear. Here's to a GF year and beyond x

Massive thanks to everyone here the feeling of not being 'the only one' has been half my battle and reading encouraging and positive words has got me through some dark times. I feel more in control than ever of who I am, what I'm doing and where I'm going, Gambling stole this from me but I willing let it, but day by day I'm getting it back. Financially it may take me a long time to get back on track but mentally I am in a different space and if I can make it through each day GF I can ask no more of myself Happy Wednesday Sx

Massive well done on 300 days Sharon. You really deserve it and very much look forward to congratulating you on the magic 365.

Best wishes,

Markman