No more!

Congratulations on the week, great milestone to hit. I'm a couple of days behind you so continue to stride out in front : ) In terms of your question, 'how to fill the void', I am certainly understanding you loud and clear here. A couple of things that I have done is, read a book, book a game of Badminton and gone swimming. Not sure if any of thos will tickle your pickle but I agree boredom is a b****r to get rid of! Good job so far : )

Thanks jay and wilsy.

Day 9 now and been trying to keep busy by doing other things. Went to a friends today and had a good laugh with some other people. I will admit I did look at some YouTube videos of people losing money gambling but it made me feel stronger not to do it. Some of these people have lost more in 5 minutes than I have in a lifetime which is horrifying; I really feel for those people. I want to stop before I lose more and before it destroys my life. I’m doing this for me and my wife, who has been so supportive of me. Keep fighting the good fight!

Nearly 2 weeks in now. Keeping myself busy with other things and trying not to think about the dreaded G word. Been busy at work so that’s been a blessing, kept my mind off of it.

Payday tomorrow so I’m gonna treat the wife to a meal out - much rather that than literally throwing money down the drain and it’ll put a smile on our faces.

A little reward for my progress; next target is a fortnight then after that I’m aiming for a month, and so on. Every day I don’t do it is a day on the road to recovery. Hoping I never ever veer off that road again.

Just checking in. I’ve hit my second target, a fortnight. Not spent a penny gambling! Next target is a month!

Well done for getting through payday without gambling. If you buy treats with half the the money you would have gambled with, your quality of life will be so much better.

Well done. 2 weeks done 🙂

Thanks degenerate. You’re absolutely right. I’d much rather have something to show for it after spending some money rather than nothing by blowing it on gambling.

18 days gamble free now. The real tester is going to be this weekend. My wife is working and I’m going to be home by myself.

I’ve just got to stay strong and busy myself with other things. Bought myself a new pair of jeans to reward myself for my progress to date. Should get them in a couple of days.

Not really feeling the need to do it at the moment, I usually do it when I’m tired or bored or both so just need to do other things to keep myself busy!

Will keep checking in, and updating where I can. Any words of encouragement appreciated !

20 days GF and counting !

IJust checking in. 23 days gamble free today. Took my mum out for an early mother’s Day lunch earlier, it felt great to be able to treat her to something.

Taking my wife out for a meal tomorrow too, it feels great to be able to afford to treat others (and myself with a new pair of jeans) rather than squandering cash.

I’ve also managed to clear another £400 of my credit cards, got below the £6k mark now so I’m pleased with progress. I’m trying to get back in the black before the end of the year. A tough target to meet but I’m determined!

Just over 4 weeks free, fast approaching a month. Been very busy lately, especially at work so it’s been a good distraction for me. I’m only thinking about gambling every couple of days now which is an improvement.

Feeling pretty stressed out with work in fact which is usually a trigger for me, but I’ve got to stay strong and think of other ways to relieve my stress head. I’ve not got much in the way of plans this weekend but my wife is also off work so I’ll just chill with her. Trying not to spend too much money so that I can get out of debt.

Treated myself to a couple of ps4 Games on eBay so they should be arriving soon. Will update more when I can!

Day 32

Over a month in now. Pleased with my progress. Been far too busy to even think about gambling, so it’s been great as I’ve had distractions and it’s meant I haven’t been squandering money.

The real test will be when I hit 3 months, it’s something about that 90-100 day mark that something in me tends to break and I slip up. I’ll keep checking in from time to time. Not sure if many people are reading this but I’ll keep it up. Any words of encouragement Are appreciated !

Hi mate, well done on 32 days gamble free, I am the same, get over 100 days and my brain starts to think I can have a small bet from time to time, it is the giving up for life that is really hard for me, I believe once someone is a gambler they will always remain a gambler, I suppose we go on runs of not gambling at all then we have a little go and a full on relapse occurs after that, we just have to remain strong. Wishing you well over the next 68 days until you get to your milestone, just take it a day at a time.

Wilsy

Hello CG,

Well done on over a month GF now, for me i found that a tricky time in the past, before joining here and really going for it with my recovery. Its normally the time the funds start to become available again, just enough to keep the gambling train rolling as it had in the pervious months so just be mindful of that.

People do read these posts if not always (or sometimes ever) posting on the topic to say that have. I find having a diary lets me look back at my journey and if other people see it and get something out of it along the way too, then great.

All the best mate, have a good gf week.

Day 34

Thanks SJ and willsy. Determined to reach and surpass 100 days.

I know exactly what you mean guys. Whenever I have disposable income I think that I don’t have anything better to spend the money on, but as I have debt on my car anything I have spare is going on that so that I’m not tempted to spend more.

Time + money is always a bad combination but just trying to fill the days with other things. Stress usually sets me off and things have been tough at home and work lately so it’s tricky. I’ve just been going on eBay and making small purchases here and there, mostly PlayStation games!

Wishing everyone all the best in their own recoveries and thanks again for all your messages!