It's getting easier

Day 46, havnt posted for awhile but still gamble free! Dislocated my shoulder a few days ago so not been able to go out much or get anything done, was feeling a bit low but all good now, starting to move my arm more and shockingly havnt thought much about gambling, no urges at all. Actually feeling quite happy now as I was ment to be working Xmas day and now I'm off on the sick, every cloud! Will be getting back as soon as I can though don't want to be sitting around to long as we all know what boredom can lead to.

Hi - and congratulations on day 46. Reading diaries like yours really does help to confirm that we are all so much happier when we don't gamble. It seems like such a no-brainer. Keep resisting those temptations. I think it's natural to get them - telling them to be quiet is the bit that proves a bit trickier.

Sorry to hear about your dislocated shoulder - but have a wonderfully relaxing Christmas day off work.

Best wishes

Equinox

Hi the fun, just read ur diary and it is really positive, u do seem to be doing this with will power tho, phone the telephone number and exclude from those pesky bookies then if u go in they might recognise you and not let u gamble. So far you've done brilliantly. I hope fo bd I.n ur position in a months time cheers adam

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Be careful with that shoulder.. mine got destroyed after an injury 7 years ago. Make sure you get physio on it when you are able to stop it freezing x

Thanks everyone, life is deffinatly better without gambling equinox, having Christmas all paid for is a great feeling!
Your probably right Adam I should self exclude, I've done it online but feel to ashamed to have my photos in every bookies in town! I've promised myself though that if I ever go in again then I will have to deal with the embarrassment and do it, that alone feels enough to put me off.
Yes katie I will do my physio this time, regretting not doing it first time around now, mybe I wouldn't have had so many problems with it if I had, me all over thinking I don't need help till it's happened to many times!! Hope you all have a great gamble and stress free Christmas x

Day 47, no gambling thoughts today just struggling alot with my anxiety. It's not something I've ever had any help for, always try to ignore it and hope it will go away. But decided now I've tackled my gambling it's time I try and get this under control to. I don't want to go to the doctors if I can help it so I've been reading up on things that help, I'm going to cut down on caffine and swap for Camille tea, get more exercise and day light and eat healthier, mybe even try and do some meditation! I'll give this a few weeks and if it doesn't work I'll go to the doctors. First time in my life that I'm really determined to improve my mental health. Any tips would be great!

Hello TFHS, i often listen to guided meditations. I go to bed like half hour early and listen to it before i sleep. Some people like to just listen to relaxing sounds, some just reflect in silence. Its much like anything else try a bit of each and see what works for you. Stopping gambling does start to bring a few issues into focus without having the mask to hide behind. We should want to work on improving these areas rather than hide ourselves away though. Look at it as nothing more than a new challange. Its about getting to know ourselves and moulding the best version. It takes time to grow in anything. The only areas i was growing while gambling was debt, isolation and depression.

Theres a lot of confidence to take from self improvement and confidence makes everything feel easier. All the best.

Thanks sjwsjw, I might try that! I've been getting to sleep alot easier since switching to a cup of chamomile tea before bed.
Day 50, Can't believe I've made it this far! Had a lovely day with all the family at a Christmas party, no thoughts of gambling at all and not felt stressed or anxious either. I know I've still got a bit of work to do improving my mental health to make sure I never go back to how I was, but it's amazing how much my life and happiness has improved in such a short space of time just because of not gambling, so pleased I found this site, thanks to everyone for all your help!

Day 56 I've had an amazing Christmas, feeling happy and not wanting to gamble untill tonight, came to bed early because I'm back at work in the morning and after seeing an advert on telly startled signing up to the postcode lottery! Then stopped myself but I think only because it's such a long time to wait to see if you win, then started browsing for other lotteries, didn't sign up to anything, came on here instead but feeling abit down now, I've noticed that when I don't give into an urge I start feeling miserable, just gonna read abit on here till it's passes and then try to sleep. I'm sure I'll be fine the morning!

Any chance this could be linked to you having to go back to work? What comes 1st, the urges or the misery? It’s no surprise that you feel down when you don’t succumb to them because that’s what gambling masks. Good skills coming here to keep safe 🙂 I hope you find the land of nod soon enough.

Thanks for the reply odaat, it's hard to tell what comes first actually I mybe just don't notice till afterwards that I'm feeling low!
Yes probably was linked to going back to work, although I do like my job it's more the feeling of Christmas being over and back to the reality of a long month with very little money. It soon passed anyway, got a good sleep and the busy day kept my mind off any thoughts of gambling. Another day gf and feeling happy, I might not have much money but atleast I have some, something to be thankful for as I wouldn't have any if I was still gambling!

Day 59 made it to 2018 gf! It's been hard at times but so worth it, now I just have to keep it up because I want to make this year a good one with no more shame or regrets! Good luck to everyone and happy New year!!

bumped

PlayWarix please delete your post absolutely disgraceful,

Did i miss something here?