No more half hearted efforts

Definitely Sharon. I have been keeping myself as distracted as possible and it has worked wonders. Fiddle and potch and make plans anything to occupy your mind. Don't let it discourage you, you're doing great! Baby steps indeed we just have to get to the end of the day without gambling. Try not to think too far ahead 🙂

Hi Loxxie thanks for your post. Definitely this debt will only go down now if I keep up this way. Years to go to clear it but atleast it's not going up :). We can do this we are stronger than mental urges. Xxx

Ugh. Just doing the sensible thing that comes after the initial few weeks without gambling and that start tackling debts. Just added them all up and I owe £11.3k my credit score is 84 out of 999, funny thing is it's 84 up from last month so it must've been a bit fat 0 which is no surprise but even in this space of 49 days gf my credit score is improving. So whyyyyyyy when I am working out what I owe did my little heart break and immediately think 'the only way to pay that off is to get a a big win'. Stupid!! Now I'm cheesed off that I've got those stupid thoughts and cheesed off with facing the reality of my debts. Feels like a mountain when my wage is so little :'( hate how harsh reality is. Any suggestions on tackling debts guys? I know payplan etc do one payment plans but that'll just delay my credit getting any better for years anyway. Does anybody have any suggestions on how they handled theirs if they had any? Xxx

Hi GJ.

I believe your credit score/rating, gets quashed after 6 years from your last default/non payment etc. Maybe others have heard the same? I have much more debt than you and I can only advise you to try not to dwell on this. As long as you are making payments/not getting into any further debt, try to just go with this, otherwise, it really does end up wrecking our heads.

Hope this helps.

Take care.

Our Lady

Thanks our lady. It's horrible when it seems there's so much on top of me that I have to pay off and it'll take years with my wage. I need to keep positive about it and figure out solutions because I hate the thoughts turning to gambling. I know I won't do it but hate my mind for thinking that way. Thanks for your post it's comforting knowing people are in the same boat xxx

Hi GirlJ, you're doing so well and tackling things logically, to up your credit score in a short amount of time is a positive step. I know how you feel, I'm the wrong side of 40 and still renting, would love a mortgage but there is no chance because of my credit score.I am with Payplan but at least with them you make one payment a month and they do you a budget which is liveable. I think it's natural to have thoughts of a big win etc to clear debts but the chances of that is near to zero and then the circle begins again. It's hard not to mentally beat yourself up over a large figure, I usually do this in the early hours when it seems to be 100 times worse and yep it is awful but still fixable over time (I will re read this the next time I can't sleep!) Take care and we can all get there in the ens. Big hugs Sharon x

Thank you Sharon. I just want the credit cards paid. Three credit cards to the sum of £9.7k and I'd be happy. They are glaring at me on my score and are a harsh reminder of gambling history and eats me up. But the other option only ends up with me deeper in debt so I need to remind myself that. It's like saying I don't want to be burnt but I'll just play with some fire. Not the solution to my problem!! Anyway I'm at 50 days with payday tomorrow I have not struggled once this month. Anything I've wanted I've had and it's been so nice. I'll continue living this way!! Here's to 50 days and another bank hol to enjoy gamble free. Big hugs right back and I hope you enjoy this weekend and many more gamble free. We're stronger Sharon we know it xx

Well done on the 50 days gambke free hun. ...
Keep on the straight and narrow...
You're doing great x

Hi Loxxie. Thanks for the well wishes!! 🙂 payday today. Paid my bills, paid some debts and treated myself to holiday gear 🙂 gamble free intend on keeping it that way for the forseable. Happy bank hol weekend all xxx

Hi GJ

A big well done on 50 days g.f and great that you have treated yourself with some holiday clothes!

Take care.

Our Lady

Thanks our lady! Haven't posted for a while I've been enjoying living life gf and I allow myself to have breaks from here to feel normal for a little while on times but only fair to check back in to hopefully encourage anybody who's struggling at the moment if you keep pushing and fighting you can do it. Some days are hard some days it doesn't pass my mind at all. But I know I am not giving in any time soon I am having a ball getting my life back on track and seeing results of debts going down, mood going up. Hope you're all ok. Xxx

Hi GJ.

I totally agree with you that having little breaks from here (especially when we feel we are in a good place), is good for the soul and for me, helps me not to be consumed with talk about gambling. Always good to dip in and out though, as a good reminder of how life can be if we return to gambling once more!

Have a lovely day and take care.

Our Lady

61 days wow. 8th of march I stopped gambling and two months on 8th of may I can't stress how great I feel. Literally beaming today. Honestly feel like I'm glowing. So happy so grateful so content. The little things in life bring happiness. Money and material things don't. Love this journey of learning and finding myself after getting so lost in an addiction. Happy and healthy. I hope you're all pushing on to get to a place where you feel back in control and content with life. Lots of love xxx

Good on you, 61 days is brilliant! Even though this is not under good circumstances to start with like you say it'S not just about finances it'S about sorting out the deeper causes of gambling etc.....I'm feeling like a different person and also learning not to torture myself over everything. Enjoy this GF day and thanks for an inspirational post. S 🙂

Jesus!! Day 75 gamble free! I haven't posted since day 61 I honestly forgot about it! Wow that's a good feeling. I don't know what caused the change this time round but it's as if I have just completely forgotten that I had an addiction. I'm focussed on uni work at the moment tho and just having fun in life so positive distractions. How is everybody? Xxx

Nice one GirlJ those days sure tick by! The bit I'm enjoy most(apart from having money again) is the feelingof getting my life back and breaking the cycle of anticipation, highs, terrible lows and guilt Just being 'normal' I guess, best of luck with Uni, take care 🙂