Taking responsibility of my life

Evening diary, another fantastic weekend spent having fun with my boys, also managed to get all my other more boring stuff sorted too, I can safely say I have never felt so in control of my life, all the phone calls have stopped even the text messages offering me more payday loans have stopped apart from the odd poi or accident claim call the only time my phone rings is when someone I want to talk to calls.

There are a few parts missing but in time in sure I will fill them but for now I'm just enjoying life a feeling I never had before all due to gambling I will never go back there life in the real world is much more fun.

Taking my boys to mid week footy match tomorrow night, first time I've ever taken them, only part of its about the football the rest is just spending time together.

Today I did not gamble, tonight I will sleep with a clear mind and tomorrow will be a great day.

This weekend marked 5 months without a bet, and was spent having a great time and a sleepover with my boys, my life is getting better daily and I'm sure so are my boys lives.

Hi Chris,

5 months without a bet does make a big difference to our lives. A very big well done on getting your life back.

Stay strong focused and keep going.

Suzanne xx

5 months ! Well done, Time with your boys ? Recovery sure brings benifits by the bucket load !

Andy

Hey there, absolutely awesome to see you marching on and getting your life back. Should be so proud of yourself, keep up good work. S x

Evening Diary,

Well its been far too long since I last posted, I have stopped by a few time and had read to help keep my mind focused on where I`m heading. All has been good I`ve been away with work for 2 weeks thinking I would have loads of free time to keep up dating here. In the past I would gamble to past the time or to try and win more money to be able to join the rest of the lads out on the drink, but the fact was I was just hidding the fact that I couldn`t socialize with others. I have started to over come that due to counciling I had with gamcare, and now find myself part of the group when we`re out. When I`m not away with work I still have time to spend with my boys and enjoy spending time with them. life is just so much better now.

I can`t say gambling as been out of mind its still there I just don`t act on it, I`m not going to give it the time of day I`ve got much more fun stuff to do.

177 Days Take care all

Well we are now into another new year, this time last year I was in the best place posiable only to let temptation and gambling destroy it all, Christmas was ok found it very hard and lonely, I did get to spend most of the day with the kids but it wasn't the same,

So i started this year is no plans no targets just plod along pay the bills and servie nothing but the basics and see what next year brings

To everyone here have a great 2015

2 weeks into the new year and time is flying by, work has been slow but still seems to take up all my time, spent yesterday with my boys, we laughed and messed about time spent with them not just keeping an eye on them, something that I was reminded I should do more often, gambling is staying well out of the way, which has left space for a real life to begin but I seem to have just lost all the extra time I did have. No idea what has filled it, at the start I would hours of spare time every min spent reading or keeping busy to avoid thinking about it. Now I've not replaced the gambling with anything else yet still have less spare time.

To all here have a safe and fun weekend

Hi Chris,

Good to read your positive post, and that you are staying gamble free and strong.

Well done on your gamble free days.

Take care and stay safe

Suzanne xx

I have had a fantastic 48hrs, yesterday was spent the afternoon and evening with the boys, and after they had gone to bed had a brew with the ex where she pointed out how the boys had talked about how I had changed, was nice to hear that they can see a difference, but also we talked about building a friendship between us.

Then today got a great job offer was so pleased I texted the ex cos I just wanted to share my good news, she invited me over for dinner and the 4 of us sat and had an open chat about the past few month, the boys pointed out how now things where getting better that they are scared I'll let them down again, or just stop putting in the time and effort with them, I think it was good to be reminded of how it was and how much has changed keep me on my toes to not let them down.

So for anyone here reading this in their first few days, it's time to get over the self pitty and stand up to what is right, you can give much more love,time and commitment when you stop living in the past and regain some control of yourLife,

Chris

Fella you had a profound effect upon my recovery, your journey could have so easily been my own.

Nothing gives me greater pleasure than reading that last post.

Made up for you.

Keep making the right choice.

Abstain and maintain

Duncs stepping forward never back.

Hi Chris,

It's great to read a lovely positive post from you, and well done on your job offer.

Suzanne xx

Evening diary, just got back from another great day with my family, it's days like today that remind me how important it is to stay strong on my road to recovery, it has always been around this time of year leading up to April that I would start to slip and once that first loss had happened would keep chasing my losses trying to cover them up as I was ashamed to admit I had failed/slipped. Not this year I will not turn back to my old ways, over the past 6 months I have found the enjoyment of my children the joys of been a dad and I can't let them down again they have been strong enough to let me back into their lives I am strong enough to say no and keep clear of gambling.

looking forward to seeing them all again tomorrow and off to the footy on Tuesday night with my boys been a dad is some much more rewarding than been a gambler and less stress full

A quite few minutes to stop by and just check in, life takes another turn as I leave one job ready to start a new one on Monday, gambling still at bay, not going to slip back this time come to far to let bad habits destroy my life and family any more, boys are happy, seeing them most days now putting them first makes a big difference look forward to every new day and no sleepless nights over debt or who will call or what the postman may bring.

Onwards on upwards standing tall

Great post Chris, sooo pleased you are continuing to carry on forwards and standing tall.

Suzanne xx