I am stronger than I thought!

Thanks for us post charlotte it's great to see u been so supportive on others diaries take heart knowing it really helps us and draw strength from that knowing ur helping others to stay gamble free this will give u more determination to succeed in ur own quest

Stay strong

Castle2

Thanks for all your kind words and support. I have clicked on here for a rant so apologies in advance. I went to the pub for my friends bday tonight which in itself is difficult for me and all they want to do is drink/gamble , they really do not understand how hard it is for me to stay gamble free. One of my friends even asked me to play the machine for her while she went to get a drink. When I refused she said "it's not your money, I don't know why you are so bothered".Ahhhhhh makes me want to scream, I have come home early 🙁 sometimes I feel like we have nothing in common now. I feel totally out of the loop. I even suggested doing something different, but no they enjoy the pub. Well I am still gamble free, after a very tough night and tonight I felt like just giving in. So I left instead. Could not drink much either lol, in case my little girl wakes up in the night. My boyfriend has to go to work early tomorrow so that's my job lol. I guess I just have to accept all my friends are young and have no responsibility. So I guess u cannot blame them. I was like that not so long ago. How my life has changed hey. Anyway sorry for rambling on. I hope everyone is doing well 🙂

Hey Char

You rant all you like girl! Well done for not giving in. It is so good to see how seriously you are taking your recovery. Your responsibilities are to yourself, your boyfriend and most of all your daughter.

If your friends can't support you, then as harsh as it may seem, perhaps they are not as good friends as you need them to be?

It's refreshing to see such maturity in someone so young! Be proud of yourself!!

Speak soon 🙂

You go through life finding and losing many friends but you'll always have your daughter. You did really well in standing up for what you believe in and by not giving in under pressure to conform. Your daughter would be proud of having such a strong mother! Yet it's difficult too do the right thing without feeling that others see you as 'too serious' or 'boring.' yet you must be tough and not care what drunken friends think if you are serious about protecting yourself and your daughter. In a few years time you will probably outgrow your friends because they won't stimulate you anyway because you seem like a girl who's wise, mature and with her head screwed on. You'll probably want more from life than shovelling money into a flashing fruit machine. Being gamble free will enable you to do this. Keep being strong and the world's your oyster, you'll be your own person, proud of yourself, tough, wise. Follow the crowd or do things to fit in will only lead to misery and you're worth more than that. Take care, stay happy, keep strong, Steve.

Not much 2 say today, just can't seem 2 shake this miserable feeling. On a positive still gamble free 15 wks and 3 days 🙂 hope everyone is doing well.

Hi Charlotte, hope you're keeping well and strong. Supporting one another gives us strength and makes us feel less alone. Thanks for your support too, it's equally appreciated. Still going well for me, haven't gambled for just about two weeks now, still bouts of longing for a quick fix but I'm staying disciplined and not giving in to temptation. Hope you're feeling ok and that the other night in the pub hasn't upset you too much, you showed grit and a strength of character to stand your ground. Anyway, take care and get some rest, a small child takes up so much time and energy, and keep smiling! Bye for now, Steve.

Hey Charlotte,

Just wanted to say I think you are doing extremely well and you deserve to a big well done you are resisting temptation even in challenging circumstances! It's testament to your determination and others should read your diary for inspiration!

Stay strong!!

Flagg

Hey Char

Hope you are well. I was a bit peeved that chat was cancelled tonight! Will hopefully catch up with you soon!

Stay strong x

Thanks for all your support and kind words on my diary. Today's been stressful at the moment I seem to be in a constant battle. But I am remaining strong and I am still gamble free 🙂

I cannot afford to ruin all my hard work now! I hope everyone is doing well 🙂

Hi Charlotte,

Thanks for posting on my diary!

You are doing great and your determination is an inspiration to others when times are tough.

Keep going girl!

Lucy

That's the spirit Charlotte, so much to gain too much to lose. Keep those temptations away. Take care, Steve.

Hey Charlotte, glad to hear you are keeping strong and resisting those urges. Keep positive and keep posting! x

Hey Charlotte, You should be so proud of yourself. Your doing so so well. I do believe that having a child can really help you get things into perspective. Have decided to put a framed picture of my son next to my computer and look at it every time I have an urge. As for not going on the fruit machine to play even with someone's elses money - Awesome, that must have taken great strength girl. Keep strong. HUGS X

Hi charlotte

Thanks for ur post it's great to see ur so supportive to others on this site the boost it gives others will help them so much so take heart and know ur helping others as well as fighting ur own personal battle the support will always be here for u

Take care

Castle2

Hi Charlotte,

I am sorry you are feeling a bit alienated by your friends lack of understanding. That must have been such a hard situation to walk away from - but you did! how awesome are you?!!!

Maybe your self control is hitting a raw nerve, and they are secretly a bit insecure about how they cannot resist the machine.

I think in the early days it is helpful to have supportive friendships whom encourage you to do what is best for YOU, not what is best for THEM. I wonder if you could meet some other young mums at a mum and baby group or something? perhaps they would understand more about your responsibilities as a mum, and may lead a more similar lifestyle to the one you want.

Stay strong Charlotte - you are doing great girl!

Take care,

f x