Day 22: no gambling today.
I've had a quiet day today. Went out for a walk with my wife in the morning then got home and cleaned the bathroom. I followed the football scores off-and-on during the afternoon while my wife was at work. I noticed that I'm generally less interested in football now that I don't bet on it. Furthermore, I have no interest in horse racing whatsoever now that I don't bet on it. I am now off to a concert this evening and am looking forward to getting out of the flat for a few hours. I tend to get stuck in front of my laptop at the weekends and it's much better that I go out and do something sociable.
Day 23: no gambling today.
Day 24: no gambling today.
Your comment on my diary made me revisit your diary and reread most of it.
It was particularly painful reading between Oct 27 and Nov 5th. Both of our entries are so positive and aware, talking about the value of money, and how we couldn't believe what we'd done - then we both fell around the same time.
Keep it going, and good luck.
This coming week is going to be extremely busy and tiring but I'm going to rise to the challenge. I am going to try to cycle to work each day (it will be the only option on Wednesday owing to the strikes). I have a busy day ahead tomorrow as need to do a piece of written work, which needs to be printed on Tuesday. I also need to attend a funeral on Tuesday, which I'm not looking forward to at all. I'm attending a concert on Thursday, which should be fun and will celebrate 28 days without gambling (fingers crossed!). I'm looking forward to getting my teeth into December and completing this year on a high note. I need to start my Christmas shopping soon but funds are very tight and presents won't be lavish this year. I will save money by cycling to work and I also need to make sure I don't spend any money on lunches during the week - if I don't take something from home, I'll just go without - I won't die if I miss one meal. Seems a ridiculous thing to be contemplating but this is what gambling has done to me. I just hope some positives come out of it such as being able to live more frugaly without throwing money away on expensive lunches and taxis (not to mention horse racing). Here's to a gamble-free week!
I looked at my bank statements from earlier this year - really sickening to see the huge online withdrawals I made to fund my gambling addiction. For example, I blew £6k in a couple hours on 18th June. I remember it well. Sickening. I'm never going back there again. Roll on the next gamble-free day and the next gamble-free day and the next gamble-free day. Even the most mundane, boring, tiring and frustrating day at work is better than the sick feeling of blowing over three months' salary in a couple of hours. I remember walking out of my flat having maxed-out my credit card and emptied my bank account; my heart was thumping, my forehead was sweating, my body was shaking and I was feeling physically sick. I walked round and round the block trying to comprehend what I had done. I lost more money in the months that followed but that day in June was my worst ever loss. I never want to go back there again.
Although money may be tight i bet if you continue to stay gamble free (which you will) you probably buy all your presents and be amazed at how much is left over for yourself
As gamblers we all do the following
1.) Have loads of money but never think we have enough
2.) Gamble nearly all our money and then realise we can live off pennies rightly
So to not gamble and have a wage behind you will result in you having more than you imagine
And youll enjoy it 🙂
Day 25: no gambling today.
Day 26: no gambling today.
Nice entry for Sunday (about the £6k loss). You described it perfectly. I dare not read my bank statements, and all my internet deposits statements from the casino were sent to a special folder unread (they're still there).
Good job all that's in the past!
I think it is important to record the feelings one experiences after a crippling gambling loss such as the one I suffered in June. It reminds us of how wretched gambling makes us feel and how much better our lives are without the stress, the worry, the lying, the loss of earnings, the health problems and the crazy detachment from reality. Today was a tough day at work and I also attended a funeral, but anything is better than a day of reckless gambling. It poured with rain this evening so I left my bike locked up on the street near my office. I hope it is still there in the morning as I can't afford to replace it and it's not insured. Fingers crossed!
I'm pleased to say that my bike survived the night and is still securely locked up outside my office with both wheels intact. I'm looking forward to getting through today and saying goodbye to November. Roll on December and roll on 2012. Here's to a gamble-free day!
Completely agree with you, a new month is a new start.
As for 2012, what a year it's going to be for all of us on here!
GT
Day 27: no gambling today.
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