In 6 days, it'll be a year since I last gambled. I can wholeheartedly and honestly say that I haven't gambled or even attempted to gamble in secret. Life is better, but still quite a way to go.
I have a lot of prevention systems in place like GamBan, GamStop and blocks on all my cards. I don't even have access to my our joint bank account. I'm happy with these systems. I don't begrudge them. I don't fight them. I am happy that they remain in place and that they continue to be a safety barrier.
I am slowly clearing my debt, but there is a still a very long way to go. At least 5 years or living on a tight budget. But it has to be done. I get stressed... a lot. Mostly about money. I continuously worry that one slight set back could cause a huge impact on our lives. But I have to keep looking at the positives. I have a wonderful wife, a home, I pay all my bills each month and I'm not gambling.
I don't want to bring attention to the year marker passing soon. I don't want nor need any attention. I just want to keep doing good things and gradually moving forward with life.
You CAN beat gambling. It's not easy. It's stressful, emotional and exhausting. You have to tear down everything and be completely honest with yourself and others, and trust me, it isn't easy. But it definitely can be done. I continue to get help on a 2 weekly basis from a local counsellor. It isn't just talking about gambling. In fact, it's rarely talking about gambling. It's about discussing other issues that cause stress, anxiety, anger or upset. It helps, a lot. It means that I don't get bogged down by my own thoughts.
Onwards and upwards. 360 days down. The rest of my life to come.
In 6 days, it'll be a year since I last gambled. I can wholeheartedly and honestly say that I haven't gambled or even attempted to gamble in secret. Life is better, but still quite a way to go.
I have a lot of prevention systems in place like GamBan, GamStop and blocks on all my cards. I don't even have access to my our joint bank account. I'm happy with these systems. I don't begrudge them. I don't fight them. I am happy that they remain in place and that they continue to be a safety barrier.
I am slowly clearing my debt, but there is a still a very long way to go. At least 5 years or living on a tight budget. But it has to be done. I get stressed... a lot. Mostly about money. I continuously worry that one slight set back could cause a huge impact on our lives. But I have to keep looking at the positives. I have a wonderful wife, a home, I pay all my bills each month and I'm not gambling.
I don't want to bring attention to the year marker passing soon. I don't want nor need any attention. I just want to keep doing good things and gradually moving forward with life.
You CAN beat gambling. It's not easy. It's stressful, emotional and exhausting. You have to tear down everything and be completely honest with yourself and others, and trust me, it isn't easy. But it definitely can be done. I continue to get help on a 2 weekly basis from a local counsellor. It isn't just talking about gambling. In fact, it's rarely talking about gambling. It's about discussing other issues that cause stress, anxiety, anger or upset. It helps, a lot. It means that I don't get bogged down by my own thoughts.
Onwards and upwards. 360 days down. The rest of my life to come.
This brings a smile to my face Mr. L. What amazing progress. Actually read the post from start to finish and how far you have come is just sensational. I can tell you are keeping your guard very high and being smart despite the every day pressures of living on budget. It’s okay, you are currently keeping the enemy at bay and what a great job. Like you, I have limited access to money (only Apple Pay where; gambling transactions are denied). Seems like the best way to have no devices to gamble (wish I did this years ago!)
Each day you are moving forward and it’s great to read.
BGT
So today is the day. One year gamble free. But for some reason, the last week has been the hardest week I've experienced since admitting my problem last year.
The business is struggling. I can see it but nobody else can. I feel like the next few months could be the end which would ruin so many lives and it ultimately falls on me for building the debt with my gambling last year. I feel like I'm permanently stressed or worried.
The only way I can describe it is that I feel trapped in my mind. I cant turn off my thoughts. Ever. It just goes round and round all day every day. And the outlook is always catastrophic. I try to tell myself to stop worrying or to focus on something else, but it doesn't work. I refuse to gamble or do anything stupid. It's not even an option. But I don't know how to get a moments peace from my own thoughts.
Haven't been on for a few months. Just been getting on with life. Was welcomed with "480 days since you last gambled" when I logged in and it's a good feeling.
Still have ups and downs with my mental health, but mostly a steady feeling of being content with life. After 2 postponements, it looks like my wife and I will finally have our honeymoon on Tuesday! This brings a slight feeling of guilt, as I still owe a lot of money (around £45k). But I have to try not to punish myself too much and prevent myself from moving forward and being happy. I am repaying the debt, so I have to just accept that and allow myself to enjoy things in life too.
Overall, life is good. I don't miss the days of constant worry, deceit and stress. The days of having to hide my phone and staying up until 4am just to lose every penny and more. It can be beaten. It just takes willpower and honesty (with yourself and loved ones).
That’s amazing! Well done!
It's been quite a while since I posted on here and if I'm honest, I'm not sure why I felt the urge to post now. But it has been over 3 years since I made the decision to stop gambling and it's officially 1185 days since I last gambled.
I am content with life, happy in my marriage and don't have any urges to gamble. So all in all, it's going pretty well. I'm still paying off debts and that puts financial pressure on life, which can sometimes cause a bit of stress. But I'm open about it and talk it through with my wife. Talking everyday stuff through relieves a lot of stress. I still see a therapist, but only once every 6 weeks now. It almost feels pointless going sometimes, but I still feel that it helps me vent and keep on the right path.
Whether it's day 1, day 100, day 1000 or day 10,000.... YOU CAN DO THIS!
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