Hi all,
This tends to be a time of year where we think about change. We would like to give you the space to reflect on your journey so far and your journey yet to come, by taking part in our new project. We are inviting you to write a letter to yourself, or specifically to “the person in the mirror” and use this as an opportunity to think about how far you’ve already come and any goals you have for the future.
We appreciate the concept can sound a little strange at first!
But just think, how many times have you had to give yourself a pep-talk before doing something scary? Or, telling yourself to “just let it go” when something no longer was any good for you? This exercise is similar, and we hope that you will take the chance to reflect on all the ways that you supported yourself over the past year, and the ways you would like to support yourself in the future.
We will also be sharing letters that GamCare staff have written to “the person in the mirror” and hope that you will enjoy reading them.
Questions you may want to consider while writing your letter:
We hope you enjoy the activity and feel that you have learnt something new! Just to note that if you already have a thread in our recovery diaries forum, it may feel most helpful to share your letter there.
Take care,
Lulu
Online Peer Support Team
Letter anonymously submitted by GamCare member of staff:
"To the Person in the Mirror
you have worked hard you deserve to be happy and calm, not living in fear. Gambling stole so much from you in the past you work so hard to rebuild a life that is joyous and blessed, always remember to be grateful, you can be strong and believe in the person you have grown into and that gambling no longer controls you.
But also remember during this next year. That is okay to not be okay. It’s okay to feel sad is okay to feel lost isolated and alone. But the most important thing to remember is that there are people who love you and care for you and those who don’t even know you. There are out there waiting willing and able to support you when the going gets tough, so remember you are in control and that you are a wonderful human being and can develop further streng this ths over the next 365 days."
How about considering writing your own letter to "The Person In The Mirror"?
I'm loving the journey it seems i'm getting the help i need here.
I am so ashamed of the person I see in the mirror, I can’t not even look to it, I just lost my business to gambling, I am unemployed and as soon any money get to my account I gamble it, is horrible, I am ashamed to tell my psychologist because I feel I am hopeless, I feel horrible, I need help, i hoop I can find here so I can build my life again, I have 3 kids that depend on me, I need to be better for theM
Now i see the man ive become.......i came here in 2015 an overweight, smoker, with a drinking and gambling problem....i struggled to find concentration to work....every part of my work and home life was a struggle.
Roll on 9 years and i see a still overweight man.....but one that has succeeded in soo many ways......
I now have my own flat with a garden for the summer.
I now don't smoke.... my lungs feel better....
I now dont drink my thoughts are clearer.....
I now dont gamble my finances and mental health are better....
This year id like to strive to be as good as i can at my work.....two people at work over the past two days have said that they are hearing great things about my work of late.....its great to hear such kind words and gives me confidence and strengh......
id like to not think too much about losing weight and insread eat healthy but be comfortable in my shell and have fuller self esteem about my body image and who i am.
Id like to stop thinking about my finaces soo much that im sitting in my flat under a duvet in a coat trying to save a bit of energy money.....
i would like to get throught this year without any hurt from loss of loved ones....
All the best Adam.....you are doing better than u think for once give yourself credit...
We are available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. You can also contact us for free on 0808 80 20 133. If you would like to find out more about the service before you start, including information on confidentiality, please click below. Call recordings and chat transcripts are saved for 28 days for quality assurance.
