Day 45
Not much to report really been busy working these last few days, I keep logging in but there doesn't seem to be as much posting going on as usual, hope everyone's doing okay.
JW
Day 47
Still going strong, gambling is very quickly starting to become a distant memory for me, certainly not being complacent though just confident in myself
Yesterday at exactly the same time as each other the post came through the door and my phone started ringing from an unknown number, and for the first time in my life I wasn't scared of what either might be or try to ignore it. I have no secrets now and nothing to hide from anymore and that is the most satisfying feeling ever.
Keep fighting everyone.
JW
Great stuff JW
Keep working at it
Congratulations JW and how amazing to hear the difference it has made for you to face up to your problems and deal with them. Now you can answer the phone without fear!
Keep posting,
Best wishes
Deirdre
Forum Admin
Day 50
Thanks for the comments ... 50 days! I know I complained at the start of this journey about the days dragging but I have to admit 50 days have creeped up fairly quickly!
I feel proud of myself today, however I also feel a lot of other things. Just reflecting back on where I've come from and remembering the absolute torture I have put myself through for the last 8 years, I have lied, cheated, stolen and hurt some people I care about very, very much. Some of the things I have done will live with me forever and some of them I may never forgive myself for.
However ... Today is not a day to reflect on all of that, today is a day to be proud I am 50 days into the rest of my life and appreciate how much has changed and what I've achieved in such a short space of time.
I'm sad to see so many of you lot are still having difficulties accessing the site it has been so quiet lately, hope to see everyone back soon!
JW
Day 54
After considering myself so lucky not to have been affected by the technical problems with the site it finally happened on Tuesday morning and I was unable to log in. Strangely before this I was only posting every few days anyway but the 4 days I have been unable to really hit me. Not that I was ever in any danger of relapsing or trying to gamble I just couldn't stop thinking about all of the other members on here who had been suffering for even longer, it really got me down and just hoping that everyone would be able to pull the selves through until the site was up and running again. I think if that had happened to me in my first week or 2 on here I may have completely given up on it and never came back, and I can only dread to think of where that may have left me. This site is absolutely crucial to so many people and hopefully it can continue to run without anymore problems back. I have enjoyed watching everyone's return this morning and finding out how people have been coping without being able to post. It's good to have you all back!
JW
Hi JW_
Glad you are over the 50 day mark.
Yes, the Allen Carr book is a god send, everyday we don’t gamble we are slowly killing gambling by starving it. What I like the best is the fact we are not giving anything up but letting go of misery, so we are rejoicing and don’t need willpower.
Gambling for me is no more then a con, the little gambling monster inside me will try to get a fix by trying to give me urges but I will resist and ever time I resist it will get weaker and weaker, ha, ha.
Take care.
Shaun
Day 58
Haven't had longer than 24 hours away from work for over 3 weeks now and still over a week to go before I have a couple of days off. To be honest as draining as it is I'm enjoying how busy I am and am starting to actually appreciate my job, not to mention the extra money is coming in handy, I've been busy furnishing my flat and it's starting to feel so much more homey.
Went to see my mam this afternoon while she was at work in Tesco cafe and my little brother also showed up, just being able to buy him a smoothie felt so rewarding because as ridiculous as it sounds that's something I probably couldnt have done in the years gone by. He was telling me how much he wants to see the new "Venom" movie so I've told him I will take him next Wednesday when I'm off work. I'm actually so excited myself, the fact that I can plan to do something like that the day before payday is amazing, in the past I would have had to wait until payday had come before making plans, but not anymore.
I may only be 2 months in but I really do feel like a completely different person, those gambling days will only ever be a distant nightmare forever more.
JW
Hi JW
It’s nice to plan things without fretting before pay day.
Yes you are correct, the book gives us a new perspective on gambling and yes it does make us angry about time and money wasted. Gambling institutions are basically modern day d**k Turpin’s, just to show you how much a clever con trick gambling is I will tell you something incredible. At my local casino that I used to venture every now and then for a ‘free cup of tea’, there was a business man who used to come in and play £250 a spin on the roulette wheel.
After he had lost his money, around £5000 he would ask the casino to get him a curry to take home, the delivery driver would come and hand him over a white bag with a take away. He was probably feeling chuffed that he got a ‘free’ meal out of the casino, just shows you the tricks the casinos play. Even my own story, the casino gave me a yellow card, that basically meant that I could come into the casino everyday and be intitled to a free sandwich.
It’s early days yet but the Allen Carr book is totally on the money - no pun intended.
Take care.
Shaun
Teffific stuff JW.
Inspiring to see someone at similar stage as me doing so well.
Day 64
Thanks for the comments, nothing really to report just checking in. Still very busy with work and not much time to myself but will all be worth it when I am able to pay debts off quicker.
JW
Day 69
Days seem to be flying by now. Becoming quite unhappy in my job and thinking about alternatives however still getting all the overtime in I can for the time being and focusing on making the money whilst it's there.
JW
Day 70
10 weeks already, in one sense it's flown over yet in another when I actually think about everything that's changed in those 10 weeks perhaps it hasnt.
However what I can say is that my life has definitely already started to change for the better. Hope everyone is enjoying their Sunday!
JW
Day 74
Been reading some diaries of members who are on some very high GF day counts and feeling inspired, knowing that I too will be there one day.
One day at a time is all it takes, keep up the fight everyone!
JW
This has made me angry today, what an absolute joke this country is
We are available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. You can also contact us for free on 0808 80 20 133. If you would like to find out more about the service before you start, including information on confidentiality, please click below. Call recordings and chat transcripts are saved for 28 days for quality assurance.
