In 12 days time I plan to be able to come back here and announce my 1 year anniversary since I chose to stop gambling. Although each day I complete without gambling is just as special - and I believe it is my focus on remaining consistent every single day that is why I feel so strong mentally to not feel an urge to gamble.
The old cliché... 'a lot can happen in a year' seriously hit home for me recently. As I approach the 1 year anniversary milestone, I am really proud to say that last week I hired my very first two staff members for my business - which a year ago would have never have been a realistic vision. The idea of increasing my expenses in my life would scare me into fear of feeling out of control...thus usually leading to my old habit of gambling where I would likely have imagined this to be the only way possible to hire staff in my business to cover their costs.
I have learnt so much about myself inside the past 12 months since I stopped gambling. I have discovered that gambling for me was all about control, and would feel like the answer to everything.
I am smiling so much to myself as I write this because when I look back on my journey so far, I just laugh at how crazy and lost I must have been to believe gambling was the only way to become successful in life. It's just mad to even imagine that as a logistical reason nowadays - and I think this reflects the change in my habits.
To anybody reading this who is considering stopping, or just began their journey - DO IT. It feels impossible to imagine a life without gambling when you're on Day 1 because it is probably all you've ever known, but stick at it. Day-by-day. Celebrate every 24 hours you successfully do not choose to gamble. Months later, maybe even weeks, you will have a moment where you will realise that you have grown much stronger to ignore urges and build your resilience. But be prepared to also use your recovery journey as a chance to understand your own habits better - this for me was they key in knowing how to prevent urges in advance.
If one person reads this and is inspired to keep going, I will be made up of joy that my experience can help someone else get better too.
Catch you soon x
Very inspiring. Thanks so much and congrats on your accomplishment. It looks like you are definitely on the right path
Congratulation , keep it up
You are inspiring person
Thank you , your post made realize what my life was like before I started gambling, I want my life back
1st day is a struggle and I keep fighting
#nomoreplay
I wish you well in future, you have provided an inspiring account of how you have taken control of your life and it shows there is hope, for others to believe in.
@peter81 thank you for taking the time to read through my post. It makes me feel extremely happy to also know my journey can be a boost for another journey.
We’re all in this together.
@anonymous2022 thank you for taking the time to read my post. I am proud of you for starting day 1 - it is extremely hard in the early days, but it can get easier.
A big contribution to my success so far has been the community of gamble free personnel who offer support at all times.
Believe you can do this, and you will.
@gerard-g Thank you very much - every single day without a bet is an accomplishment for me, even this far into my journey.
Maintaining my consistency is what I feel is keeping me on the right track too.
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