My Diary

Well done on the 3 week milestone IM. Sorry that you still feel low about other areas of your life. If you haven't already, you'd be very welcome to give us a call on the HelpLine to talk it through. We're on 0808 8020 133, from 8am til midnight every day. You can also chat to us on the NetLine.

Best wishes

Deirdre
Forum Admin

22 Days GF

Feeling alot better, sometimes things get on top of me when alot is happening.

Didn't drive me to gamble though.

24 Days GF

Getting closer to 4 weeks and determined to achieve that. Just wish I wasn't so skint.

To quote Rocky

"One step at a time. One punch at a time. One round at a time"

Trying not to over reach and make small steps each day.

28 Days GF

Or 4 weeks which sounds a bit better. It's coming up to pay day and so far it will be my first full pay month without gambling.
Unfortunately I will need a few more to pull straight before starting to save.

30 Days GF

This is my longest stretch of no gambling since this addiction gripped me. Pay day end of the week as well and that will be first pay month clear without placing a bet.

Hopefully another month and things will become clearer and I will have more options available to me. At the moment it's a cycle of spending as little as possible, although I should theoretically be clawing back £400 a month back from not gambling.
I could've taken a loan, but trying to explain that to the other half would be difficult. Instead I've had no treats or niceties and it's kind of served as punishment for my mistakes. It's also a good reminder of the things I can't have due to throwing money away.
I've literally earned money to give to bill payments and bookmakers.

But no more, I'm taking control of my finances back.

33 Days GF

Had a wobble last night during the football and thoughts of placing a bet. Luckily I abstained and stayed away.

Looking to another gamble free weekend.

35 Days GF

5 weeks without placing a bet. Thoughts of betting were there over the weekend whilst watching the games, I suppose that's part of the recovery.

38 Days GF

2 days away from the 40 day GF milestone and I'm determined to get there.

Feeling pretty good the last few days, had a niggle last week of a gamble but it soon went away. Work is ridiculously busy and it's keeping my mind busy too. I work alone most of the time and it's the boredom that drove me to picking up my phone and looking for sports sites.
It's amazing how many sports you can bet on at anytime, especially tennis.

My next post will be at 40 days and I'm not going to ruin it now.

40 Days GF

There it is, the 40 day mark. Things do seem to be getting easier but o know that is when o can slip back into old ways.

I'm not missing the feeling of anxious feeling of waiting for a last minute goal and then the disappointment of a losing bet.

The negative funds in my bank account prove I have a long way to go, to right the wrongs I have done in the past. But in time this will be done.

For now though, I will be watching the world cup bet free but battling a horrible head cold.

Have a good weekend all.

42 Days GF

Another week has passed making it 6 weeks since I quit.

These weeks seem to pass so quickly, maybe because I'm focusing on other things in my life? I spent most of the weekend creating raised flower beds in my garden, I had never done this before and they don't look terrible. Flowers were also planted and grass seed sown. Feels like I have actually achieved something. Painting the fences and shed are the next jobs, will have to wait a weekend as it's cider festival next weekend.
It's just a shame I will have to hold back a bit at the festival as I'm still keeping an eye closely on my finances. Another drawback of gambling wages away in the past.

Well done on your 6 weeks GF.

I'm starting again today after a few years away. Read your diary and admire your resilience and optimism. Need to have some of that drive over the coming months!

Take care, Myles

Good luck Myles.

I kept slipping until something clicked and I decided that I was going to seriously damage my mental health unless I did something.

I was becoming restless at night and couldn't sleep, then felt mentally exhausted during the day. I now function better at work and get to the gym or play football most nights.

You can do this.

48 days GF

Another full week gamble free tomorrow. Been keeping busy, so I haven't had time to gamble. Went to a really good cider festival yesterday, had a few drinks, listened to live music and topped up the tan.

Things are coming together slowly and in starting to see the progress.

49 Days GF

7 weeks gamble free and 1 day from the 50 mark.

Had a great weekend at the cider festival and getting jobs done around the house yesterday. Shocks in the football prove that I am better off staying away from the bookmakers, although it's making for an interesting world cup. If I had gambled, then lost, I would have undoubtedly chased.
But I resisted, with the gamban app working wonders and I recommend it to anyone wanting to stop.

Woohoo the big 50 tomorrow and then focus on 100? You seem to be really determined and positive about the whole thing now.Like you I have had many false dawns but your doing great keep it up and don’t let your guard down 🙂