I am CJ. This is my story

No problem buddy anytime :)) .

Those losses are a good thing thing to reflect on in the early stages but the problem I found is that sometimes those feelings fade and your mind can start making plans for revenge , that's when all those blocks come in handy , if you have no access to fund's , all the blocking software is in place and you exclude yourself from anywhere you can , then all these thing's will help .

It doesn't completely stop it because as Gamblers we'll always find a way around something but what it does do is afford you some valuable thinking time to get through it .

I found more than anything the thoughts that got me through it all were ones of acceptance ......... It was possibly the first time in my life I'd accepted that gambling had beaten ten bags of sheeite outta me and I wasn't going to get back in the ring for some more , most people including myself at some point were drawn back to gambling because they didn't like being beat they sought revenge and for a compulsive gambler it's like a red rag to a bull but only serves to suck you right back in .

Just let it all go , it can have it this time because it won't be having anymore ? .

Simples !! :))

Keep going CJ! One week tomorrow. Probably already spotted some difference... maybe not so irritable, no hiding away from conversation, not distracted, more aware of surroundings and impact on others etc. It’s all good stuff!

Day 6

Today had some amusing moments which helped me through. Like the team eating 99% cocoa chocolate. It was like pouring neat cocoa powder in your mouth. So so funny.

Another day GF so all good and on my way to a week 🙂

CJ.

First week done pal! Keep the faith!

stace86 wrote: Was great chatting on chat today 🙂 think I'll definitely give the 99% choc a miss though

Yeah that 99% chocolate is shocking. I would have been better pouring cocoa neat in my mouth. 🙂

Hope your doing better today.

CJ.

Change wrote:

First week done pal! Keep the faith!

Oh yes. First of many hopefully. Im feeling good and feel my mind is on other things.

Hope your doing ok too.

CJ.

I need to get my mind focused on other things. I love a side hustle or side project and I’ve got nothing to fill that void on a long term basis. I need something soon or I’ll start getting bored at nights and thoughts drifting.

@Change I’m sure you will find something that can occupy your mind and fill the void. We made it to 1 week. We have been GF and that’s all that matters.

———-

Day 7

1 week

168 hours

10080 minutes

I’ve achieved one week GF and am feeling more positive than I have been in years. We all have moments of sadness and negativity in life however I since admitting my gambling addiction I feel I have become a better person.

So why did I decide to quit?

I wanted more. I wanted to stop being consumed by the urge to press an app on my phone and set it to auto spin or walk into a book markers and spin my money away.

I joined this site as I wanted to focus and realign my thoughts.

I’ve spoken to some amazing people over the past week and read their stories. All of which have assisted me in realising that there is more to life than wasting it chasing my last fix.

This week I’ve been more focussed at work, more focussed on my relationship and more focussed on filing my time with things I haven’t done for a long time. I’ve also walked over 50km in the past 5 days, walking past numerous book makers without the urge to walk in.

So I’d say that’s a pretty good first week.

Thanks very much for all the support people have given me.

You are all great and together we can do this.

CJ.

Change is always possible

Nice one CJ. I bought a few smashed up apple watches on eBay and I’ve refurbed them tonight. Got a nice shiny Apple Watch on my wrist now. Probably only time this week my mind has been fully consumed. I put my Bose headphones on. I put some Bach on (random!) and I set to work. You’re a legend pal. You’ve helped me loads. We go into week 2 together...

https://youtu.be/6L8N4hpEbaM

You talk about randomly putting on Bach. I put on some piano sessions the other night. I felt it may help me without analysing the lyrics like I normally do. Best night sleep I’ve had in years.

Great work on repairing the Apple Watch. Glad you found the avenue you wanted and the sense of achievemrnt. It’s given you a sense of purpose and worth. Next up you’ll have your own little repair shop repairing phones and smart watches.

I’m glad you’re doing well. We will succeed and we will make it through our dark times. Just gotta find a light switch or torch or pay the electricity bill 🙂

Rag n bone man is an interesting one. I remember seeing him and thinking wow powerful voice but doesn’t look like his voice. I like his music and have it on my phone with the play occasionally.

I was thinking yesterday about sounds people know but someone else has covered.

I found one this morning that most will know that is kinda apt. Eleanor Rigby.

The version I love is very guitar and metal by a band called Pain. Again quite apt haha.

As we enter week two, remember we can do it. Enjoy your Saturday.

Hi CJ... I never listen to that sort of thing but for some reason the library scene from Se7en came into my head and I looked up the tune... Bach. I haven’t watched that film for 10 years so no idea why it arrived in my head. Happy it did though as I enjoyed the change and I’ll be listening again.

Repair work started last year when my son smashed my wife’s iPad so I bought a screen and repaired it easy enough. Actually enjoyed it as I could zone in and get lost in the steps for a few hours. I then bought a smashed iPad for my son and repaired that. I then had my mum and my sister in law asking me to do the same for them.

That then lead to me buying a few Apple watches for £20-£30 and then I bought all the bits to repair them. Just got round to it last night after I’ve got some spare time now I no longer need to watch matches I’ve bet on!

I need to think of what to buy and repair next haha! Maybe a soundlink or a soundtouch if there’s a common fault that’s easy enough to fix.

I have absolutely zero technician or IT background but since I’ve been a kid I’ve always like to take things apart to see how they work and then put them back together. I can remember always taking pens apart and messing with the springs.

I’m just doing what ever it takes to get through the days right now. Like the famous quote “By any means necessary” (or buy any jeans necessary... if you ever listen to Kanye)!

Take it easy pal and keep the faith!

PS I’ll put that Elenor Rigby track on now by that band you mentioned. I was actually walking past the Elenor Rigby statute just the over month.

Day 8 / Day 9

So the weekend is over and I managed another two days GF. Feeling pretty good.

Ended up walking 7 miles yesterday and then got absorbed yesterday in a new TV show which took me as far away from gambling as you possible could go.

Felt extremely positive at the end of watching it.

Been packing all day and getting ready for moving. Took some stuff round to my girlfriends and then drove to get my little boy to begin a week full of childish fun and joviality.

Wasn’t tempted on the drive to pull into the services like normal so just carried on with the run.

All in all felt awesome 🙂

CJ.

Well done cj,

Hope you have a wonderful week.

Sarah