The 100 Days Club - Would you like to join?

Hellooooo people, its danpo1989 here I cant gain access to my old account so had to create a new one, it's been on my mind the past few days but been so busy with work, this club really helps me and i love posting in it. I've woke up for the toilet tonight and couldn't help but create a new account and find this thread. My mind just wouldn't let me sleep until I done it !!

I'll be back with the usual daily posts from now on. I'm going to catch up on the posts I've missed the past few days but obviously not tonight?? got to be up at 6am, poor me ?.

Enjoy your days what ever it is your doing and keep your heads up, stay strong and keep it real.

Morning danpo, it is lovely to have you back. We have missed you ?

*** Good afternoon! ***

It's Friday.  I hope you're having a good day today; life will always be a rollercoaster, of course, but we'll always steer through it better when carrying out our daily vow.  This vow means we can focus on other things, like our recovery, but predominantly life itself. 

We're becoming the people we want to be.  Not the people we used to be, even before we were in the negative thrall of g**ling, but one better than that.  Because we're finding out more about ourselves, and others.  And now's the time to do it - today, when we can make a difference!

"Just for today, I choose not to g**ble which is a false promise that leads to misery.  And I don't want this misery. So I choose, just for today, to definantly turn away any thoughts that may arise.  I don't need this."

***

Lewis - I'm delighted to see you're on Day 7 (at the time of writing).  That's 7 days.  You should be proud.  This is a new life for you, that I guarantee!  Remember, put into place solid defences to stop yourself g***ling even if you get tempted.  This will help your resolve.  Also - and this is just my opinion, but it helps me - learning more about this addiction helps too.  They'll be something written or said that will really turn you away, or be disgusted by, this damaging habit.  Anything that reinforces the message that g***ling is bad for us is a good thing.  Keep going!

Changing Habit - Really pleased to read that free from the distractions this horrible habit brings, you're looking at things to make your life better.  And, indirectly, your friends and loved ones as the embrace and applaud your new focus and determination. Superb!

Stephen - Congratulations on your 70 days GF.  A special moment indeed - that's 10 weeks safely navigated.  You've even treated yourself.  It's heartwarming stuff Stephen.  The stars somewhere in this huge universe will spell out   "STEPHEN ROCKS" - it's assured.  Keep the sun shining - one day at a time.  Heartwarming, my friend.

Danpo - You're back (Yay!) and on form and keeping it real.  You were missed, as you'll have read in this thread!  We're all looking forward to your posts again.  The way I look it this is - whatever works.  If sending posts helps you, then terrific.  If GA helps, then great.  Sometimes this journey takes a few stepping stones to settle on a pathway, but you're on a good plane.  All I will say is - and I say this because it happened to me - make sure you don't burn yourself out.  It's easy done, however I personally think you're on a very healthy trajectory right now. Good stuff!

Murlo - I agree, great to see Danpo back.  And I will chase up Gamcare Admin re, the other group I'm part of.  I hope you're all ticketyboo today!

Russ (Mark) - Thank you so much for your kind words which are shared amongst us all - we all contibute as part of a really pleasant, likeable and determined team. They are much appreciated! 

Also appreciated are your posts which, in addition to giving us your story - that has given us all food for thought - you've also given us an introduction to the world of G**mblers Anonymous (GA) for the uninitiated.  (Including me!).  It's an angle that will really help so many of us here as we consider taking those tentative steps, because talking face-to-face about our addiction can be daunting. 

Here's Mark's diary in case you've not seen it (recommended) -->

https://www.gamcare.org.uk/forum/recovery-diaries/you-have-to-give-it-away-to-keep-it/  

You are, of course, more than welcome to join us and your milestone has been set! Welcome aboard! 

***

Here's how we're doing, in no particular order (because this isn't a race, we are going through personal journeys with the added warmth and feel-good factor that belonging to a team give you):

Russ (Mark)  - April 2nd

Stephen 10th Feb 2020

Adam123 Reached target ? new target requested --> 5th March. Granted!

Franco1875 19th Mar 2020

Spendlikewater84 Hon. Member!

Ineffable 21st Feb 2020

EsoxLucius 28th Feb 2020

Mixer 13th March 2020

LewisMG 12th April 2020

Spendspendspend Hon. member! 🙂

Boo 20th Jan 2020

Fighter1 Hon. Member ! 🙂

Bertieboo 10th Mar 2020

Fir tree 28th Mar 2020

Changing habit 28th Jan 2020

Danpo 7th Mar 2020

Murlo 11th Feb 2020

Determined to Stop 1st March 2020

***

Have an enjoyable rest of the day everyone, and let's make this weekend one to look forward to, too.  Whatever we are doing - working, at rest, whatever, let's never forget we're ourselves, our true selves, when we choose not to g***le. 

We might feel 'bored', especially in the early days of our journey - it diminishes -  but consider this.  G***ling sessions are notoriously short in duration.  So would you want to be bored and skint for possibly weeks on end, or bored with all those lovely options that cash can bring you and/or your loved ones? No contest!

Mixer

Hello friends, been having a mixture of positive and negative thoughts this week.  Think that its just natural to question what ur doing through life and how u can improve but if u look too deep its not healthy.  Think its the time of the year also.  So this weekend I will try to get rest and see the brighter, lighter side of life.

Adam - I’m so glad that you checked in just now and shared how you’re feeling just now.  It is all to easy to think about things, especially the past, especially when we give ourselves time to think about it.

Once we do that, we can easy get sucked in to ‘what if’s’ that we can do nothing about.  We’re human; we’re going to think like this from time to time. 

But the truth is we mustn’t dwell on these times, because there is no point. We’re learning, not just because we’re going g**bling free, but generally.  We’re heading in a better direction.

It might not seem that way right now, given the g***bling ‘comfort zone’ we’ve been used to for far too long.

That zone where we’ve gotten insular, boring (to others), paranoid and depressingly skint.

So don’t go there tonight Adam!

Instead, embrace the Group Chat and after, think how to best enjoy the rest of your evening!  If you’re by yourself, maybe you could phone a friend or relative! (Not TOO late, is it?)

Pop down the boozer with £20 in your pocket.  Stay at the bar. You mind find yourself gravitating to a convo with a regular, why not!

(£20 isn’t enough to g***** with, of course.)

Or, stay in and out some music on. Stick a playlist on from Spotify. Stick some telly on and put your feet up!

Think about what you’re going to do tomorrow.  If you’re not working, anyone you can visit?  Chat to your mates? 

Remember, nothing changes with your mates.  You’re just not putting a bet on, that’s all.  They know that!

Just hang in there tonight. I’ve been there Adam, you know that. So I understand, like we all do.

Don’t dwell on the past - let’s thank our lucky stars that we’re here, and we’re now.  You’re in the rump seat, Adam, and when you do your best things will happen for the best.  That’s logical, and true.

I hope this helps you tonight Adam.  

Mixer

Hello people, I'm back ! Feeling better then ever. I hope you all are well keep doing what your doing.

Here's a just for today.......

Just for today I will try to strengthen my mind. I will study. I will learn something useful. I will not be a mental loafer. I will read something that requires effort, thought and concentration.

That's a great one I think.

Mixer I had a look at that reddit thread, oh my days. It's very , very upsetting. Couldn't believe what I was reading and for the people commenting just disgraceful.

Anyway I've worked hard all week so I'm gunna wind down with the mrs and bab, pick a decent film, drink some diet fizzy pop? and just kick my feet up ohhhhhhh yesssssssss. ?.

Also I say just for today I will not gamble because I choose not to. 

Have a great weekend people, stay strong.

P.s well done russ !

Cheers mixer as always, lots of thought went into that reply and I appreciate it.  Watched some breaking bad and now listening to Spotify then I'll go to be half ten, tomo watch footy midday just got to reflect on positives of life 

A big welcome to Russ and a big welcome back to Danpo. I really enjoyed reading all the recent posts and of course the brilliant updates by Mixer.

You had me laughing today Mixer when you pointed out that amongst the zillions of stars in the universe there is bound to be a group of them in a formation which spells ... s t e P h e n  r o c k s ... Ha ha - at least I am well regarded in some far off distant galaxy. 

There is a good buzz around the 100 Day Club at the moment and I hope everyone has a good weekend but if ever we are having a bad day than just hold on tight because nobody ever said this would be an easy ride and tomorrow is always another day.

Stephen x 

Wow, just wow. Woke up feeling fantastic, done some house work. I then decided to change the bulbs main lights on my car, oh how that escalated, well a few months back I I lost the master key anyway I put my 2nd key in ignition turned it not engine on just electrics then what happend next. I shut my door and to my surprise it wouldn't open again neither would any other door. I've had to watch a YouTube video on how to break in to a car lol.

Anyway after a stressful hour I finally got back in I was so happy because I would of had to fork out over 100 quid I think.

Moral of the story, don't lose your main key??? 

I'll check back In tonight people, stay strong and g***** free.

Today I choose not to gamble, today I choose to be happy ?

Well said Stephen 

Danpo,

It is lovely to have your bouncy, positive posts back! Keep going mate ?

*** Good evening! ***

I hope your weekend is going well, whether at work, rest or play!  

Here's a question for you.  Is life better or different without g**bling? 

After all, we've seen it as "fun" because we're drawn to the thrill, the flashing lights or whatever it is. 

It's only "been fun" though looking at it from a certain angle.  With the usual 'gamblers fallacy' ignorance we've all been guilty of, we forget the times when it's not been fun.  Which is normally at the point of reckoning, when we've lost it all and hell begins, with an unavoidable  'rendevous with reality'. Which is, incidentally, most of the time. 

Logically, then, it's more "hell" than "fun". So it's not been fun, generally speaking, all things considered.

Is life different?  That's a certainty.  Life without g**bling is 100% different, because free from this toxic distraction, we do other things, things in different ways and our paths are, given a fair wind and reasonable expectation, going to be more promising; better.

This, in a roundabout way, answers to the question.  Being g**bling free will actually make our lives better and different.

Of course, life will kick us where it hurts and, on the flip side, pleasantly surprise us.  But we face the hurdles and enjoy the happier times much more from the day we decide to call it a day, one day at a time. 

Let's clear our minds, forget thinking it was "fun" because, overall, it decidedly was not fun. 

Now we're clearing our heads we can see that!

***

Adam - thank you for your kind words and thank you for staying on the path yesterday and I hope today; I sensed a wobble and swung into action! You're worth it Adam, and we all want to see you with us, day by day, keeping g***ling free.  You really don't need the g**bling c**P you're determined to get away from.  Sometimes, it's not possible to see the benefits in the very short term, but, believe me - they will come. 

Stephen - really enjoyed your post (as always!).  Incidentally, I've just looked at the stars - it's a rare cloudless night - and it's spelt "M I X E R S  A  T W I T", although it could just be a trick of the light. 

Nope ... my missus confirms it.

Although she swears the second-last letter is an A ...!

Joking aside, you're bang-on-the-money with this:

"... if ever we are having a bad day then just hold on tight because nobody ever said this would be an easy ride and tomorrow is always another day."

That's exactly right ... we always need to bear in mind that whatever's caused us grief will pass ... we need to be strong and deal with it without making it worse (g**bling).

Dunpo -  great to have you back!  And a great story there, getting the engine going on your car.  Was it luck or providence?  We'll never know for sure, but would like to think there's a bit a good karma going there.  If you do your best, things will tend to work out for the best.  And there you have it!

Russ - I've just read your latest post on your diary, another good 'un. And I've also corrected your target date to 2nd Feb.  And may well join you in Chat very shortly (at time of writing!)

***

How are we doing?  One day at a time, we can manage this.

Russ (Mark)  -  2nd Feb 2020

Stephen - 10th Feb 2020

Adam123 - Reached target ? new target --> 5th March. 

Franco1875 - 19th Mar 2020

Spendlikewater84 - Hon. Member!

Ineffable - 21st Feb 2020

EsoxLucius  - 28th Feb 2020

Mixer - 13th March 2020

LewisMG - 12th April 2020

Spendspendspend - Hon. member! ?

Boo - 20th Jan 2020

Fighter1 - Hon. Member ! ?

Bertieboo - 10th Mar 2020

Fir tree - 28th Mar 2020

Changing habit - 28th Jan 2020

Danpo 7th Mar 2020

Murlo 11th Feb 2020

Determined to Stop 1st March 2020

*** 

Keep going everyone; just for today!  And in preparation for tomorrow:

"Just for today I'm going to make the best decision of the day! I'm choosing not to g**ble.  Just for today, I'm streets ahead because of that one simple decision.  I feel proud I've made that decision.  Just for today!"

Have a great evening and here's to Sunday!

Mixer

P.S.  Good evening Murlo, hope you're well, and agreed - great to see Dunpo back with us!

P.P.S.  Danpo not Dunpo - sorry about that mate!!!!

Yes mixer 1!!! thanks for the update, it's true the short term not gambling is difficult that's for sure until you gain a head of steam.  I've had a nice day went to the gym with my sister, nephews and niece (I got them all a gym card membership which was free with mine which has been great).  I went to gym for half an hour then played tennis with them then they went in the soft play.  All cost me a grand total of zero today just my 46 pound membership a month.  Been to the gym five times this month already and hoping to go more along with my diet which is currently going terribly I'm looking to lose some weight a long with the majority of the population this time of the year.  I'm currently trying to convince myself not to have an ice cream but I know there's a flake icecream in the freezer (tough times ey).  But having said that i'm not struggling anymore to stay gamble free, i'm determined not to go to poker, to stay clear of pubs and stay clear of mates who gamble or at least meet them where they can't gamble in front of me.  So Short term gamble free Is currently turning into long term for us which is great, I think when we each hit the 100 day mark it becomes a whole lot easier because we've hit that habbit phase we've built up through countless correct decisions we make over the period.  Now onto the group chat!!!