One day at a time

Nice to laugh out loud!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xUa-AhHsDIM

gambling is not FUN as the slogan 'When the FUN stops stop'
all it did for me was stress me out... 131 days away from all that.

My gambling brain has been whispering 'bet you would have got a lovely big price for a conservitive majority!'

Still going strong.

I've accepted that the consequences of starting again far outweigh any short term buzz I would get.

Hey Mark.

Im back .. Mini relapse but day two I'm back to see out the rest of the year gamble free. Pleased you're still on track though well done.

Clare x

Great to hear Sonic Boom and to know it can be done...

Thanks Clare, nice to see your back and determined to 'start again'. Its worth it - both financially and for your mental health / self esteem.

Hi paul - yes it can be done. You just have to want to refrain more than the little voice wants you to jump on ghat crazy gambling train that leads nowhere. I mean what is the actual point in gambling when we know deep down its not good for the likes of ourselves.

144 days - eeek jealous!

Congratulations though Mark, its an excellent run you're on and you sound as determined as ever too. Really made up you're still on track. Keep it up!!

Clare x

5 months today since I last gambled.
Still in significant debt but feel like ive made a lot of progress mentally. No longer do I feel on auto pilot - gambling coz 'thats what I do'.

151 days ... Amazing determination. Don't ever underestimate how well you're doing. Be on your guard as we never know when complacency will creep in. Keep up the fantastic battle. I'm rooting for you 🙂

clare

Thank you Clare, rooting for you too. You originally was 1 day behind me and its such a shame you had a mini relapse. Just hope that doesnt get you down too much.

I know how I would feel if I had to 'go back to day 1'. Its not worth it, way too dangerous to flood my brain with dopamine just to get a buzz that will never be enough. Id just want more and more and I think I would find it difficult to build the days up again. I dont see any benefit whatsoever in going back to gambling so im just not going to do it.

Hey Mark

Im not too hung up on counting the days anymore. I recognise I needed the mini relapse in a way to help me refocus and remember all the reasons I cannot gamble safely or in moderation.

It was after all my first real attempt to quit and I'm happy to say I made around 120 or so days gamble free.

I can sense that for you, there are currently no doubts in your mind that you need gambling in your life. The difference for me was I reinvented a place for online gambling. Justifying to myself I could now control spending and enjoy playing once again.

This relapse taught me I simply cannot.

I shall therefore be making the rest of the 2015 challenge happen 🙂

Clare

Hi Mark,

Popping by to congratulate you on getting past the 5 month mark, it's a great achievement and you will be soo much stronger now, OAU to a saner and happier life, but always keep guard tightly up,

Suzanne xxx

Payday today. So thats 5 paydays in a row with no gambling. NEVER done that before. All I can say is that would not have happened if I hadnt found myself on here just over a year ago.

So thanks to everyone who took the time to support me.

Wish everyone as much success as myself.

Day 156 and counting...

Great going Mark, 157 today and counting

Suzanne xxx

Thanks Suzanne

Day 162... no thoughts of going crazy and resetting myself on day 1. I dont need to win money, It would just be gambling money if I got lucky and won anyway. Theres no way I would spend it, that would just feel like a 'loss' to me and I would be compelled to try and win it back.

Taken 18 years to draw a line under everything. I cant afford to let myself become complacent. I know I could never be a 'normal' gambler. I cant stop if I start. Ive got to therefore keep on guard and make sure I dont start.