Life or Misery; that's the choice

Thank you for your post Anstainer... I've responded on your thread as you know 🙂

40 days today, won't relax until I hit 100. Then I won't relax until I hit 300.

40 days. Congratulations mate. How is your week going?

I've just caught up on the past week - notice you mentioned Allen Carr (I'm presuming not the TV host ha!). I was looking at some of his books last week and the reviews on Amazon were all 5 stars. I'm still a tad skeptical at how a book can cause such an impact on this addiction. Nonethless, I might give it a go...plus I should probably quit smoking whilst I'm at it too.

How frustrating there once was a time when I never smoked, drank, or gambled and now it seems a victory to go even a few days without them!

Keep at it mate. Will try to check in more this week but work is manic. Finding it tough to even stay awake in the evenings! But I guess that's good as it's cancelling out that dreaded boredom...

Mixer...... Thanks for the continued support, i admire the fact that you continue to help so many on here while still fighting your own addiction at the same time, also all the hard work you put into running the guru challenge..... keep up the good work you are a great help to many on here, myself included

Hi mixer

I think the debate is over and I’ll place down my gauntlet because you’re right even if reading the books gives you that extra one percent it can only be a positive.

You’ve probably been told this a few times but I think the effort you put in to the challenge is top notch some people may not agree with challenging addiction but from reading it I can see that it gives people more of a platform to otherwise share what maybe wouldn’t be noticed on a diary say for individuals. I think you’re posts are upbeat and cool. If people get annoyed by quirky names probably says more about them than it does you. Hopefully you’re receiving as much help from it as you’re giving out?

All the best

Day 42 today. Douglas Adam's famous answer to 'what's the meaning of life?', and 42 days gambling free is the right answer! But is 43 the answer too... I'll find out tomorrow.

Adam808 - good to hear from you, my friend; I'm OK although a little tired. But trying to sleep a little more. I recommend reading Allen Carr (and certainly not Alan Carr; each to one's own but he's not my cup of tea; if he was narrating the audio book he'd probably drive me to drink and one addiction's enough...!)

The way I look at it, and as Wentworth picked up is - even if the book isn't for you, but it adds 1% to your gambling resolve, surely that's worth it, for £3.60, right? And who know's, it might add a higher %, even up to 100%. I'd say it's boosted me by 25%. There are a couple of concepts in the book I genuinely hadn't considered. Take your time reading it, is my suggestion; some bit's you'll go "I know this" but bear with it from start to finish 🙂

You also talked about the 'dreaded' boredom. Look at it this way Adam; what's better? Being skint and bored, or bored with money in your pocket. At least with money in your pocket you have exciting options... and an latent imagination that'll instinctively wake up to explore those options .... 🙂

Chartom3 - You are officially a Striver as I've noted on your thread. Excellent mate. Showing your true colours having navigated at least one payday (if you're paid monthly...). Very, very good; not just for you, but your nearest and dearest, and friends who are also happy and rooting for you.

Wentworth - Thank you for your kind words and rest assured if getting a lot of support personally in my GF journey. Counselling once a week, a supportive wife and family - I am lucky, but I'm helping to 'create' that luck, too, by putting these foundations in place. Plus, banning myself from bookies and casinos and not having financial control. The Full Monty! Well, not quite ... a recovering gambler can be very, very, VERY cunning and EVERY day I remind myself: Do I want life, or misery and make sure I do not place one bet.

And delighted you're going to try Allen Carr's book. That 1% could make all the difference between 'determined' and 'ultra determined' to continue being GF.

As you've inferred, you cant please everyone in life and those that spread hate or negativity usually hate themselves, too. I suppose we should have pity for them. And hope they take steps to start to find their true selves, carefully removing the dark forces that have grabbed their soul.

Here's to a GF Friday, everyone! 🙂

Happy weekend to you too Mixer. Never ceases to amaze me how mysterious our world is. Bit strange yesterday when I bumped into an old acquaintance, I'd met the same person a few days earlier somewhere else, chance encounters are certainly not uncommon but maybe something more sinister is going on. Entering Aldi a week or so back at the precise moment a friend wheeled her trolley out, we almost bumped into each other, why the guilty look on her face ! Maybe she was an extra in an arcade game called Abstainer ! I was having a stroll through Mixers Wood this morning, some scouty types had been building dens with an assortment of branches and greenery, each one had the number 42 hanging above the entrance, I thought that was a bit odd.

Went to GA meeting tonight, enjoy meeting friends who understand and give each other support. Some good topics thrown around and good to get the views of others.

You are doing a fantastic job both in your own recovery and also helping others on their gamble free journey....take care stephen

Hi Stephen,

I'm not surprised you found it odd to see the den's in Mixer Wood adorned with '42's; 'cos I'm currently replacing them with '44s 😉

You're right about co-incidences which, co-incidentally (!) happen more often than we think .. the non-gambling mindset picks up more; we're sharper...

Thanks as always for the kind words; I believe we are, amongst select others, kindred spirits on this journey towards a better life.

Right, time to spot all the cars and signposts ... I know them all by now ...!

Day 45 ... going through a lot of "cold turkey", for some reason, but not going to buckle. I have lots of blocks in place to make sure I don't. I spent £3 today, left work with £5. Recovering addicts don't actual need that much cash, as it happens. Just for today, I will not gamble.

Just stay foot my man ! You're doing well ! 45 days is amazing imagine how much you would have blown if you've not stop gambling ! Always impressed with you , don't stop motivating us all 🙂

Mixer,

We all have days like that bud just stay strong, as you are and remember that this was another glorious GF day. One day closer pal and 45, nicely done. Keep it up pal, we will all get through this journey together

Thanks Sars, dholla1 ... and I ain't quittin' ... this is for LIFE, one day at a time 🙂

And there's me thinking " Cold Turkey " was just on Boxing day :))

45 day's my friend is nothing to be sniffed at ( unless youv'e got the flu as well ) ? .

These day's of urges will come and go Mixer , some easier than other's and it's just about distraction until they pass , you have your blocks in place and they'll help no end but this is also about you sir and the way you look at life , where you were and where you want to be and youv'e left "Sh itzville " behind and are heading for " Gamblefreeland " so stay on your now chosen path and draw strength from all those you give your time to on here returning the compliment and supporting the hell out of you on the " Not so good day's " :)) .

My name is Alan and I'm a Compulsive Gambler who's proud to walk alongside you in recovery :))

All the best Mate :))

Hi Alan - thank you for your thoughtful post! And you'll be pleased to know I'm consiously shaking off the cold turkey urges - and you're exactly right: these feelings will come and go, and it's a case of recognising that the moment will pass.

Like you, I've had enough and have turned my back on Sh* itsville. A place of misery, and, as it's name suggests, a sh *t place to be. Gamblingfreeland is the place to be; life, with all its ups and downs, is a far, far better place.

It is great to be alongside you Alan. Shoulder to shouder, along with some very good people here, makes our journey a much better one. Kindred spirits all united with strength in numbers!

Let's all have a great GF today. Every day being GF is a day of wonder as we open our tired eyes to the real world. We think those flashing lights etc. are the bees knees but it's not 'real', it's ... a bit sad, really. And illogical. We know this; and that's why we're doing something about it! 🙂

Morning Mixer hope your feeling good. I was very impressed with your thread 'Idea to improve a first time visitors journey' posted under 'feedback'. Absolutely brilliant.

Congratulations on 47 days GF. Every day is different and presents it's own challenges, the addiction will keep trying to get us back. Imagine this christmas without the gambling spoiling everything.

I was dreaming about gambling last night and it keeps nagging at me this morning. It's a persistent little blighter. However these silly thoughts will pass and I feel more confident and better equipped to deal with them. It can be very persuasive as it paints a colourful picture of me gambling in a controlled manner and winning loads of money. Friends diaries are a godsend to me, keeping me on my toes and helping me see it like it really is ....stephen

Hi Stephen and you are exactly right, and you know what, these are more than friends diaries... we are real friends. Anonymous we may be but friends we most certainly are. All taking this journey together. And, like all good friends, we stick together through think and thin.

So I ain't going anywhhere Stephen; and It's a real privilege to have your friendship too.