[Closed] Stephen Stopped Gambling Saturday 22nd February 2020

Hi Stephen 

it was lovely to see you in chat this evening. I have also stocked up on a few extra bits as it’s likely that my work place will close down very shortly which means I will be at home for possibly 3 or 4 weeks. All these people panic buying silly amounts is a bit excessive but I guess we all worry at varying levels. 

I definitely think it’s worth considering reducing the number of people you come into contact with even if you don’t completely self isolate for the time being as at least that will minimise the risk and given your health condition, making sure you look after yourself is important. 

Maybe you could have a look at creating a little plan of things you can do if you are stuck at home for a period of time. Maybe get in some crossword puzzle books, puzzles or download some word/puzzle games. I’m not great at being stuck at home for two days, let alone a few weeks so I have started thinking of things that can keep me entertained if the need arises. 

Have you looked into that word game I mentioned which is the online version of scrabble? And in the worse case, we still have this forum to communicate with all our gamcare friends.?

I hope you have had a good evening and a good weekend ahead. 

Take good care of yourself. 

Lonely x

Thank you Bexalonlysol. Hope you are having a lovely weekend.

Yesterday when having a day out with a friend I bumped into a lady I havn't seen for years and she has texted me to meet up for coffee but I told her I am self isolating which has not gone down very well. She thinks I am over reacting. I really don't know what is for the best. At 69 with copd I feel very vulnerable.

Keeping away from people will not be a problem for me because I enjoy a bit of solitude and can still go out for walks to the pier and riverside. Plenty to read, music and gamcare to keep me company.

Wishing everyone on the diaries a good weekend.

Stephen x 

Hi Stephen

Thank you for your lovely post of support. I am feeling really strong and positive at the moment and I hope that continues and spreads to the lovely people here. You have also been really positive lately with all your outings and socialising. 

Im glad to hear you like your own company as I would imagine it would make it really tough if you didn’t and had to self isolate. Remember we are all here if any loneliness kicks in - I know it’s not quite the same as face to face contact. 

I use to hate being on my own and I think this was one of my triggers but as I’ve become happier in my own skin, I no longer feel the need to be around people all the time and have started  to enjoy my own company.

In regards to your lady friend, maybe she thinks you might be making an excuse to not meet up with her (sometimes us ladies think too much into things) and that could be why she was upset. I don’t think you are over reacting given your condition so you need to do what you think is best. 

I hope you’ve had a good Saturday evening and enjoy the rest of your weekend x

Beans on crackers ?, I agree with lonely about your lady friend us lady's like to over think , she probably  thinks ur giving her the brush off , your health must come first so try and rearrange for when this passes . I to like my own company lately just taking some time in the week to enjoy the peace that comes from a gamble free life is bliss , hope ur having a lovely weekend all my love ?

Hello Stephen 

Thanks so much for posting on my diary, you have been a constant source of support, kind words and inspiration to myself and many others. Glad to hear you are taking care of yourself,best wishes S 🙂

Thank you Bex, Zoe and Sharon. Your posts really cheered me up.

It has been a quiet weekend. Went to Tescos earlier and had a little walk.

I have decided to keep myself to myself for the time being. I can still go for walks and plenty of things to occupy me at home. 

Stephen x 

Hi Stephen

It was great to see you in chat earlier and I hope you keep busy this week. Your idea of going for small walks and keeping to yourself sounds like a good plan. Here’s to another gf week!

Lonely x

Hi Stephen , hope you’ve had a lovely weekend , just thought I’d pop by as got a busy week this week so won’t be able to get on , so have a lovely week and I’ll pop bk at the end of the week to see how your doing ??

Thank you Bex & Zoe for your kindness and support 

Stephen x x 

Due to age and dodgy lungs I've isolated me

Now virussy bugs are kept at bay and I am gamble free

On a walk to the riverside I talked with the birds in the sky

Who flapped their wings with gusto and said "Oh me oh my"

I did my best to educate and answered their queries and calls

But they simply could not comprehend shoppers cravings for toilet rolls

Thanks for your post Stephen. I recognise the words of the song, even though it was a bit before my time. 

Glad to hear you’re taking precautions and hope you keep yourself busy. All is good with me. Day 18 has been and gone and now into day 19 and feeling good. 

Love your poem - I guess you’ll have a lot more time on your hands so I’m sure we will see a lot more where that came from over the coming weeks. 

Stay safe my awesome gamcare friend. 

Lonely x

Thank you for posting on my diary Lonely.

I sent a text to my Salsa teacher this morning advising that I would not be dancing for the forseeable future due to the virus and me having copd. I feel very sad for her because she has worked really hard to build up her classes and has laid on some great dancing events.

Wishing everyone on the diaries good health and happiness.

Stephen x 

Hi Stephen

Thank you for your posts on my dairy. I was in chat but I was also multitasking trying to cook dinner, got kicked out and then said ‘for private chat users only’ and as there was only about 20 minutes left of it, I decided to admit defeat, sit down and eat my dinner. It’s been a long day!

I know what you mean about how sad it is for people who have worked so hard to build up their business or customer base for it all to come crumbling down within days. Someone I know is doing online classes that you join. Maybe something to consider as will still support them but also give you something to do whilst self isolating at home. 

To be honest I’m not sure if it’s day 19 or 20 as like you, my brain is frazzled and have had so many things to think about that my day count and anything gambling related has not even come to my mind until I realised I was 20 minutes late for chat. Either way it’s another day since I last had a bet so that is enough to make me happy. I have made a pact with myself that I will keep returning day after day and not slip off into the wilderness as I think this is where I have gone wrong in the past. It is also now my new way of dealing with a stressful day at work - plus I genuinely enjoy chat. 

What have you got planned for tomorrow? 

I certainly plan on having happy dreams if I can and hope you have them too. 

Heres to another day done and walking this path together ?

Take care

Lonely x

Hi Stephen

I just popped by to see how you were doing today? Hope you’re well. 

I heard this morning on the radio when I was driving to work that they are now holding online choir practice to keep people’s spirits up while they are self-isolating and I instantly thought of you. Maybe something to consider. 

Anyway, hope to speak soon. 

Lonely x

Thank you Lonely for your kind words on my diary. You are very supportive to your fellow travellers and have a good positive approach to recovery which I admire and respect.  

Might look into the online choir practice, although my neighbours might not be overly impressed! 

Hello Diary.

I have been in a very sombre mood over the last 24 hours as the enormity of what we are faced with is starting to sink in.

Social events have been cancelled and I worry that friends my age who I have recently been speaking to, might not be here when all this has blown over.

Last night went for a 3 hour walk past the marina, onto the pier and along the riverside. Things looked normal with all the lights shining and a few people in the restaurants and pubs which are still operating. The calm before the storm!

Love and best wishes to everyone on the diaries.

Things are going to be bad enough as it is, so please please please don't make it even worse by giving in to them insidious thoughts which brought us all here in the first place. 

Stephen x x x 

Hi Stephen , just got a quick five mins to pop on and see how ur doing , hope ur well ? Nice to see your still going on your walks , I would deffo need a four hour power nap after one of them walks lol , I’m doing well I’ll be bk on propley soon all my love ?