My story and journey forward 190416

Hi mate. I really enjoyed chatting to you in the early chatroom. Hope to keep in touch....and wow, almost a year - good for you. Best wishes, Phil. PS enjoy your weekend - my brother lives in Leeds. I've had some good times there.

Thanks Phil. Likewise! I'll probably enjoy it a little too much no doubt 🙂

Enjoy your weekend too.

348 days gamble free... things going in right direction, eating into debt and enjoying simple things in life again.

Next weekend is a massive sports weekend - the grand national and Masters golf... challenging for many of us.

I'd normally bet on these like a normal punter but know I cannot anymore. Although my stakes on sporting events were small it's the feeling it spurs inside me I cannot risk. I know £10/£20 placed on these kind of events would put me at risk of saying 'f**k it' lets just get on the slots (probably chasing a small loss) then ending up losing a fortune.

I usually work from home on a Friday so that will help me escape the annual Grand National office sweepstake. But if I get cornered for it on Thursday, I'll just say I've got no change on me etc. Last year I ended up filling half the thing - myself and another colleague (who I feel is a cg). I used to worry about what people thought regards to looking a cheapskate with these kind of things but need to put myself first. If anyone mentions grand national I'm just gonna say not bothering this year lost a fortune on it last year, its a lottery etc etc.

Bigger incentive is that I'm only a few weeks away from a gamble free year - not gonna throw that away.

Onwards and upwards.

Been a much better week..found last week quite hard with grand national and masters golf betting chat everywhere but successfully navigated all temptation including the office sweepstake on the national. The evening chatrooms helped me see the week through - thats what great about gamcare...support available when you need it from those who are battling same challenges!

Day 361 gamble free - the one year mark within touching distance. Away at hotel for a few nights with mrs just been to relax at pool for a bit. And a quick check-in on here for dose of medicine 🙂

Onwards and upwards.

Hi Tommy,

Just noticed you coming upto a year do thought I would re-read your diary. You've come such a long way. Your first post was one of intent and your last one bares that out. Enjoy your fe days away

KTF

Thanks Oldham. Yeah I guess that's the difference this time, for a long time I've wanted to be normal to not want to gamble but as compulsive gamblers we just want a quick fix. There is no quick fix - we've spent years building up these bad habits, negative routines etc it doesnt change overnight. I have to work at recovery - something its taken me a long time to realise.

Like you I will try to continue to invest in my recovery on a daily if not weekly basis. Gamcare is one compulsive routine that is postive!

Great to hear you are still going strong tommy.

Not on here as much these days so in case I miss it congrats on hitting the one year.....great achievement but, as I'm sure you are well aware, that is only the beginning.

All the best.

Damo

Tommy,

Thx for popping over to my diary and your kind words.

A little celebration looks like its heading your way soon.

Nice one and best wishes

Bal

Hi Tommy - forget to say the other day - congratulations on a year bet-free. Best wishes, Phil

A month since I last posted, been a manic one. Big family wedding, been on holiday, lots and lots of work!

Still gamble free glad to say. Had a bit of a situation a fortnight ago that in the past would have definately triggered a gambling binge.

Basically, my bins went on fire and caused some damage to my neighbours property. Will probably end up costing £500-600 ish to get repairs done. Not ideal but hey ho s**t happens and you have to deal with it. And that's what I have done. I have a different outlook now. Before I would have tried to win that money as it wasn't in my budget etc. Would have probably ended up costing alot more.

Apart from that things are going well for me - I am actually enjoying life again. Tomorrow will mark 400 days gamble free for me. The difference in both the way I feel and my finances is night and day.

The gamble free life makes you richer in so many ways.

Onwards and upwards.

Hello Tommy :)) .

Long time no speak ...........Where's you " Bin " ? .............Sorry mate couldn't resist after reading your Dustbin mishap , I know from my own financial worries time can be tough but selling " Hot chestnuts " from your bin ..........really ? :)).

Seriously mate I'm so pleased for you 400 day's tiommorow is a huge achievement and you should be so proud of yourself as I know only too well it's not an easy thing to do . ............... I know exactly what you mean as tregards to that fire being a trigger in day's of old , I was the same that I alway's wanted to gamble my way out of trouble , even if I had the money to put things right I'd have begrudged paying out so the old Gambling brain would have said " Let's just win it " and we both know how that end's right ? .

Paying for thing's , family event's and holiday's are all things we could only have dreamt of in our gambling day's and as you say your " Enjoying life once again " :)) .

All the best for now Tommy , enjoy your day tommorow and continuing best wishes for your future :)).....................Alan

Ha ha nice one. Had the P**s taken out of me a few times since - can laugh about it now!!

Yeah trying to gamble to obtain extra cash to pay for everyday things is something I've done since a young age - I'm slowly changing that mindset. I used to grudge paying for so many things. I paid for our recent holiday with a work bonus - in the past I wouldn't have done that. I'd have kept it quiet from wife to try and turn it into more only to lose in long run. It's much more rewarding to be honest, to do things for others and not expect anything in return.

Cheers Alan.

Just realised not posted for over a month, it's been a manic one!

I've just been on holiday for a week abroad gave me time to reflect and unwind, something I never used to do before gamcare counselling. My life has changed so much in past 14 months. So many positive things have happened this year and I do not believe it is a coincidence - removing gambling has no doubt helped. My mindset, finances and productivity are so much better these days.

Yes I still have debt - paying it off monthly sticking to plan I created over a year ago but I actually have some savings for the first time in my life!! I wanted to save a certain amount by the end of this year but I've actually reached my target already - 6 months early 🙂 But I'm going to keep myself grounded and continue to save hopefully make an extra bonus payment to my debt at end of the year.

One thing I always notice when abroad is the reduced amount of visible betting options available to people. Yes they have lottery stuff around but not a fraction of gambling advertising/establishments we do in UK. Anyway, just an observation makes you think about the younger generation and what we could be doing better to help prevent more people ending up here...

I'll stop there before I get any deeper 😉

Onwards and upwards...

"If you want to feel rich, just count all of the the things you have that money can’t buy."

I like this quote. It's not until I felt happy again I realised just how unhappy I was. I wasn't able to see the things I had that money can't buy. Now 440 days gamble free I can.

Onwards and upwards.

Had to tackle an awkward chat with my dad last night about his health. In the past I'd have avoided and buried the feelings - now I know (although it wasn't a pleasant chat) that if I dont tackle these issues I will look for an escape. That used to be slots, which never solved the issue actually made it worse. Was feeling anxious beforehand but feel better today that I've got it off my chest.

Every day I become more grateful for the things I have and for not having the grip of gambling controlling my every move.

500 days is in sight - not that I'm really counting these days just know that if I continue to stay gamble free my life will continue to improve, if I go back to the old ways it won't. Simples.

Onwards and upwards.