*** Good morning! ***
I hope I find you well this morning. As for last night's election, well ... if nothing else, it wasn't boring! (Although the exit polls are so accurate these days it kinda ruins the suspense, if you like that kind of thing ...)
Fighter1 - Exactly right. Let's sink into the armchair on Christmas Day safe in the knowledge we can rest easy knowing we're on a good path ... it's a dream that can be realised one day at a time.
Ineffable - thank you for the update. You've done the right thing. One small punt can exponentially change a ripple into a tsunami. Well swerved.
Today, all that matters is that we choose not to g*****. Just for today.
Talking of today, let's give extra support to Franco1875. I was intrigued by the alias you've given yourself there, Franco, so looked it up. You must be referring to Franco Alfano (1875-1954), a successful Italian composer. (I'm a bit of a classic music luddite so will confess I hadn't heard of him!). A quick wiki search showed he was quite a character in his time, though. As we all are once shorn of this affliction!
It's Friday, at a weekend close to Christmas. We might feel like 'letting go' a bit this time of year, but, knowing what we're like, we need to take sensible precautions. My Christmas party is next week. I'll be taking a fixed amount of money to spend. My work friends know about my addiction and will keep me on track. It's all about the preparation.
Here's how we are individually getting along. No particular order, it's not a race. It's a personal journey and something, day by day, to aim for. A long-term target reached one precious day at a time.
Spendlikewater84 23rd Dec 2019
Ineffable 21st Feb 2020
EsoxLucius 28th Feb 2020
Mixer 13th March 2020
Boo 17th Jan 2020
Fighter1 Hon. Member ? <-- our target is to reach and stay there!
Changing habit 28th Jan 2020
Danpo 7th Mar 2020
Murlo 11th Feb 2020
Determined to Stop 1st March 2020
Stephen 10th Feb 2020
Adam123 31st Dec 2019
Franco1875 19th Mar 2020
Have a great day, everyone!
Mixer
Thanks for the support Mixer, I applaud your diligence on tracking down the name, unfortunately it’s only after the dog?. Still walking the right side of the line, all blocks in place I think, time will tell, when the devil on my shoulder starts prodding & picking at my defences hopefully for once I can make the right decision.
I enjoy reading your updates Mixer. You have a great talent there.
Thank you also for giving us the challenge which to me is a great source of inspiration brightening up the road ahead and it gives me a sense of belonging to a friendly group of like minded people who are going forward together on a journey to a better and more meaningful life.
My only request is that you do not over burden yourself as your number one priority has got to be your own recovery.
Stephen x
I'm so excited for christmas day now, going to spending it with my family. Partner has decided to give it another go, I'll never be able to thank her enough.
We are taking it slow so at this point I'm.not moving back in yet. I can wait as long as it takes for her to be ready because the love I feel for her is so strong.
Last nights ga meeting went better then I expected, I'm glad I went and I'll be going again next week.
Everyone on here is amazing, but the one thing we all have in common is the thing we are shutting the door on and never want to go down that dark path again.
People say you gamble at your lowest points in life but I can honestly say my downfall and poison is doing it when I'm comfortable. I know I will find the strength next time to make the right choice and when that thought comes in to my head just sit there for a moment and breath. Just take that moment to realise it's not worth it.
Peace out guys
*** Good evening! ***
Franco - great to read you're keeping the right side of the line; that's all we've got to do, just for today. I'm a dog fan, like you. Great aren't they.
Stephen - I'm glad you're enjoying my posts; as you know, I also catchup on your diary too! Thank you for your wise words ... I promise not to 'burn out'. My posts take 10-15 minutes to write, I literally type and send, and so make sure I don't put myself under any pressure or stress. Another day not g****** is the reward. Well worth it!
Danpo - It's sounding good and, rightly, you're taking things step by step with a little humility, which is always a good thing. If you can permanently tear yourself away from this destructive habit just 1% a day, just think where you'll be in 100 days ... The secret, in my view, is permanent financial control. It shows personal strength and respect for your partner. No lapsing or cheating as we will all otherwise come back to earth with a bump. But good so far Danpo - keep steady as the ship sails.
Gamcare link of the day - Here are a few motivational quotes. Even if just one of them takes your fancy and sticks ... it'll be extra 'armour' to keep you strong and resolved.
https://www.gamcare.org.uk/forum/success-stories/motivational-endurance-quotes/
Tomorrow let's give extra support to Stephen! And I couldn't let the moment pass without a little ditty,
Here's some news, I would like to report
It's for our buddy Stephen
We'd like to give you our extra support
So you're not up or down, but even!
Have a great Friday everyone. Just for today ... you know.
Mixer
Mixer you always have words of wisdom , you make me feel so comfortable on here its unreal. Keep up the hard work.
*** Good morning! ***
Well, the weather might not be all that, but today it's a little bit brighter inside all of us because we have decided just for today, just this Saturday, to swerve the devil's bidding.
Every accumulated day that we don't g****** betters our financial position. We may be in debt but those debts will reduce and in time we'll have spare cash again. If we're not in debt, money will accumulate. Almost embarassingly quickly possibly!
We will find ourselves in a 'feelgood' position where we want to reward ourselves. But how? What mustn't happen is thinking - just a little bet, it's been a while. That's where it can quickly go wrong. We need to remind ourselves of what has driven us to recovery, how we felt on 'Day 1'. So that's a big fat NO.
It's not just keeping disciplined with our finances - trusting a loved one or trusted friend with them if we can - but making sure, when our situation improves, as it will - we keep and stay on track. I appreciate handing over financial control isn't always possible; if so, be extra alert and perhaps tie up spare cash in savings / pay more debt etc. Buy stuff you really need. Just rid of it in a constructive way.
Being in recovery isn't just about getting ourselves straight - although that's our short term goal.
It's about keeping on the right path thereafter. Forewarned is forearmed!
Have a great Saturday everyone!
We are free, because today we've chosen to make a good decision. You should rightly feel good about that. Others will notice and feel good too. Quiet determination ... that's a key secret.
***
Danpo - thank you for your words of encouragement, which encourages me no need! We all look out for each other; it's good karma. And here's a thought. Experience is learning by your mistakes. Wisdom is learning through other peoples' experience. So always try to be wise! Enjoy the weekend my friend.
Many thanks Mixer for mentioning me in your post yesterday evening. I chuckled reading your rhyme and enjoyed reading the posts in the link you provided.
The motivational quotes I think are inspiring and got me thinking about my own attitude to life. I will return to them later and particularly like the quotes about patience.
Wishing everyone a good weekend.
Stephen x
merry cristmas everyone!!!! just wanted to say im still gamble free was in town today and thought ive got thirty quid in my pocket lets try and win a few extra, but then thought of this thread and my new years target and kicked the thoughts into touch. Lets keep strong. happy weekend.
That has made my day Mixer, keep going !
*** Evening Update ***
Good evening all!
Another day choosing to make a life-affirming decision? I do hope so. Just think how valuable today alone has been. Not just financially, but in other ways. Subtle changes that will help us self-express as we really want to. People will notice.
We are walking taller.
One other thing we'll notice. We'll start to look a bit smarter. That's not to say we're not smart, because we have our personal pride and there are standards we like to uphold at home, work and out with friends, but ... we'll look after ourselves just that little bit more. It's not sudden, but you'll notice it.
***
Here we all are, in no particular order:
Stephen 10th Feb 2020
Adam123 31st Dec 2019
Franco1875 19th Mar 2020
Spendlikewater84 23rd Dec 2019
Ineffable 21st Feb 2020
EsoxLucius 28th Feb 2020
Mixer 13th March 2020
Boo 17th Jan 2020
Fighter1 Hon. Member ? <-- our target is to reach and stay there!
Changing habit 28th Jan 2020
Danpo 7th Mar 2020
Murlo 11th Feb 2020
Determined to Stop 1st March 2020
Stephen - as always, I thank you for your kind comments. You are a gentleman, sir, with that twinkle in your eye! I always look forward to your posts.
Adam - Really pleased to hear that you swerved this temptation. It has truly made my evening. Just love it, Adam, it motivates me too. Updates like this are fantastic ... keep 'em coming!
Murlo - a pleasure; we look out for each other. Loving your energy on the Group Chat by the way; it's infectious and really helps us all 🙂
Tomorrow, let's add our collective support to Spenditlikewater! We are with you tomorrow, as we prepare to see off this weekend is style. Let's do this; just for one day. That's all.
Evening your evening everyone.
Mixer
P.S. Happy birthday DramaLlama 🙂 !
As always Mixer I enjoyed reading your update.
Adam my friend, your post reminded me of the occasions when I was out and about with X amount of money and decided that life would be far better if I had XXX amount of money. The end result was always the same and too many times I walked home with a long face and nothing in my pocket.
Was it greed, foolishness, stupidity or was it simply because I am a compulsive gambler?
Anyway, that is all behind me now and I am pleased to say that I have no desire to gamble.
42 Days GF and nothing is going to stop me.
Stephen
Hi Stephen,
Your post has given me food for thought ... how much is enough to go out with, but not too much to cause damage (i.e. buckle)? I have a theory that if we go out with too little then that can be stressful because of the contingency that's needed, but 'up it' too much and then temptation can kick in.
I have to travel around the UK a bit and heres what I do. I set a budget of £20 a night for food etc. So for 4 nights that's £80. I also take a valid debit card that's cut in two. So I can't draw out cash. If I have an emergency, my spouse will load on some money, what I need. I can then book online, using the card details, to get what I need (emergency hotel, travel, Wetherspoon app for food, Western Union if cash etc.)
(Note that I do not gamble online - never, never been my 'thing' - never gotten over the tragedy of potentially losing money without leaving my front door; just can't do it, so I'm safe with the card. That said, I have banned myself using Gamstop.)
(Also note that £20 per day is too little for me to even think about contemplating gambling; in fact, by Day 4 I'll probably have about £20-30 left because the thought of having nowt 200 miles from home is not a good one!)
My point is I'm trying to think of everything I can and plug gaps where I find them (especially 'sneaky' gaps).
There is a 'sweet spot' that I think we can all find. As long as we have someone who is there to help us wherever we are, if we need it, then we can take out very little and still be confident that we can do what we need to do, or have a good time, etc.
Very interesting point you've raised there Stephen. I'd be interested in your views. I think we'll come back to this topic 🙂
Have a great evening Stephen. And fantastic news that you've hit Day 42. Truly.
we will pay every day we gamble away.
we will stay in sight seeking he light thru our gambling free plight.
we search for freedom unhook these gambling chains from us and we will take flight.
As we learn what works we find perks and don't look like burks.
Each day of our 100 day challenge is a milestone and will teach us a new habbit that we will reap the benefits from.
Each time we stumble it makes us humble to learn how strong this addiction can be.
In my opinion the 100 days is not the goal its about learning a healthy habit.
Lets do this adam merry christmas
Merry Christmas Adam ???
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