* WELCOME to the 100 DAY CLUB *
Like all of us here, I've really had enough of this addiction. Sadly, I gambled yesterday because I had an opportunity, time and money. Normally, because I've handed complete financial control over, I wouldn't have had the money. But, no excuses. I found 'reasons' to have the card, on the face of it legitimate in the circumstances, but I realise it was the 'sneaky' part of me finding the reason.
So ENOUGH. Whilst it was a lapse, it was an avoidable one. No excuses; that's too "easy".
Would anyone like to join me on a 100 day gambling-free journey?
If so, you're welcome to leave a reply on this thread with the number of days you've been gambling-free. If you've more than 100 days then make it "100+", a great place to be and stay! (100+ members are automatically honorary members!)
I will update this thread once a day, every evening. Let's all share our thoughts. It's not an 'ego-trip for me' - hardly - just a serious target to keep focussed on a good life and not gambling. (We can't have both.)
I might find it's just me here; well, that's fine, I'll keep updating once a day anyway.
I'll always try to go on the Group Chat if I can too. I promise you I will be honest and do my best to help you in the same way that so many of you have been there to help me, too.
All the very best to you all,
Mixer
Thought of the day:Â If nothing changes, then nothing changes.
Great idea. Thanks for sharing. Not a huge milestone but I’m on 12 days. Any gambling free day is a good dayÂ
Welcome aboard, Determined to Stop. 12 days is a good solid start and 88 to go - you will hit your 100 day target on 1st March 2020. It's always one day at a time, as we know. And you're exactly right- any gambling-free day is a good day; even better when we string those days together!
Here's a table I'll keep updated.Â
                      Days G/f      100 day G/f date
Determined to Stop           12      1st March 2020
Mixer                        1      13th March 2020
I'm presently 54 days gf.. ?
Count me in mixer, day 32
A warm welcome to you Boo, Murlo. It was really great chatting with you, and indeed Determined to Stop, on the Group Chat earlier. Boo, on the 17th January you'll become a 100+ days honorary member! And, Murlo, the 11th of Feb could be a really meaningful date for you as, one day at a time, you storm through the 100 day barrier.
Wouldn't it be great if we could all get there. Really, genuinely, get there. The time we'll have, the extra opportunities we'll have ...
                      Days G/f      100 day G/f date
Boo                         57      17th Jan 2020
Murlo                       32      11th Feb 2020
Determined to Stop           12      1st March 2020
Mixer                        1      13th March 2020
Day 67. I haven't been 100 days gambling free in 2 years. I know I will be a grateful member of the club. Thank you for the invitation.Â
DramaÂ
xoxoxo
Good to see you back on the diaries Mixer but sad that you fell by the wayside.
An excellent challenge but please do not take too much on board. Your priority must be your own recovery and you certainly do not want to be burdened with any undue stress.
Stephen 34 Days GF
I hope we all make it past a 100. Thanks and I will try my hardest.
Â
 47Days GF
*** DAILY ROLLCALL ***
Stephen - Welcome to the club and thank you for your very wise words. I have followed your blog for a good couple of years now and I know you always keep it real - I'll do the same. Â I'll keep this challenge simple and straightforward with a clear target and an informal, friendly approach.
DramaLlama - A warm welcome to you too; let's help get you to 100 days now. Â It can be done.
Changing habit - It's great to have you aboard! Our target is a simple one, to stop gambling for 100 days. Â With focus, and the right practical steps (personally, I swear by handing over financial control), we can tame this beast.
Let's get to 100 days. We'll worry about what to do when we hit 100 days when we reach it. Â Let's do this one step at a time as part of our supportive alliance.
If anyone who has achieved 100 days, then you're welcome to join. We will welcome your success and insights. You'll be honorary members of the club and want your honorary membership to last for a lifetime.
            Days Gambling free / 100 day target
DramaLlama          67      8th January 2020
Boo                   57      17th Jan 2020
Changing habit        47      28th January 2020
Stephen               34      10th February 2020
Murlo                 32      11th Feb 2020
Determined to Stop     12      1st March 2020
Mixer                  1      13th March 2020
Thought of the day: Â Google 'Gamstop', and join. Select the '5 year' abstention option, and never gamble online again. Because if you do, or try, any moneys/winnings could be confiscated. So it's really not worth trying. Â Takes 5 minutes to join and "job done". Â Could be the best practical thing you do today.
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Count me firmly in!!! It's day 83 for me today.... I'm itching to get to a 100 more than I am to gamble!!!Â
Exciting and I feel pretty pleased with myself!!!Â
Â
Xxx
Spendlikewater - Welcome; let's see you get to 100 days - no ifs, no buts. 17 days time is the 23rd December, but you might want to symbolically call it Christmas Day because it will be one of the best gifts you could give yourself! Â
I've been reading your diary, you've been using willpower and sheer determination. Excellent. Don't forget to keep one step ahead of yourself though - put in those practical steps. Â Look at it like you're keeping an eye on yourself; it's what you deserve. Â I always harp on about handing over full financial control but it's the ONLY thing that's worked for me (until my recent lapse, but that was my fault), but we're all different.
83 days is fantastic though. Keep going and a great idea, as you've noted, to refocus this damaging addiction to instead being addicted to getting to Day 100. Â After you get there? Â Let's not worry about that right now. For now, it's one step at a time.
            Days Gambling free / 100 day target
Spendlikewater84 Â Â Â Â Â 83 Â Â Â Â Â 23rd Dec 2019
DramaLlama          68      8th Jan 2020
Boo                   58      17th Jan 2020
Changing habit        47      28th Jan 2020
Stephen               34      10th Feb 2020
Murlo                 33      11th Feb 2020
Determined to Stop     12      1st March 2020
Mixer                  2      13th March 2020
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Hello mixer.. I am 55 days today. Last went casino 12th October 2019.. Sorry.. So correct it for me tomorrow and thank you and can only say yes feel like spendlikewater. ?
I'll get that adjusted, Boo - every day counts!
Â
Good evening everyone. I 've just finished with the Group Chat here on Gamcare; another very thoughtful session. My goodness, there is so much going on with our lives - it isn't easy a lot of the time - and we can always unduly find ourselves pressured or putting pressure on ourselves.Â
As Fiona, Gamcare moderator, said: "Relapsing can be a part of our recovery". It doesn't make relapsing a palatable thing, because no-one ever wants to relapse, but sometimes it might be necessary as part of our journey to tame this additive 'beast'. I take the view that we learn a little more about ourselves, and this insidious condition, when we fall down. But I always applaud a trier and will always help a fellow trier back up. In the same way I am helped back up. This is what matters and we'll always be better for it. It kinda makes sense.
Amongst the myriad of conversational twists and turns on Group Chat I received feedback for the '100 day Club' idea that you're reading right now. I really appreciated the feedback, because this has got to work as best it can for us. One idea was to remove the day count, because it looks a bit like a "league table" and none of us are in "competition". This is real life, we're fighting our own battles, with like minded souls as part of our alliance here on Gamcare.
In light of the feedback I'm going to remove the 'Day Count' and just leave the date. That keeps it personal. If you'd rather not have a target date, that's fine too. Whatever helps.
These target dates are in no particular order (I've mixed 'em all up); no-ones comparing, no-ones last or first. It's personal.
One thing we may agree on perhaps. That when we reach our dates, we offer our mutual congratulations. Because it's worth celebrating. I dream, as we all do, that's we'll all get there. Let's keep our tremendous support going.
Keep your ideas a'comin' - it's all part of it!
Take care everyone and have a great weekend! Tomorrow I'm not gambling. I'm doing it for DramaLlama who I chatted to at Group chat tonight. I will toast your health DramaLlama, and indeed everyone's good health, but with a cup of tea as I'm taking my young son out tomorrow - no drinking when I'm with him!
                     Aspiration
Spendlikewater84Â Â Â Â Â 23rd Dec 2019
DramaLlama          15th Mar 2019
Murlo                11th Feb 2020
Determined to Stop    1st March 2020
Mixer                  13th March 2020
Boo                  17th Jan 2020
Changing habit        28th Jan 2020
Stephen              10th Feb 2020
Murlo                11th Feb 2020
Determined to Stop    1st March 2020
Mixer                  13th March 2020
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