This Time Will Be Different

At 7pm tonight it will be 10 days...Double figures. Early days I know but almost certainly enough to justify a half-price pizza from PJ's

Have a great day everyone!

Forgot to say...Payday tomorrow...The first BIG test.

I'm also out for a few beers on Sunday with a mate I haven't seen for a while. He gambles a lot on fruit machines so I have spoken to him and explained my situation. He was very understanding but it will still be a big test of my resolve.

Hopefully I will be here on Monday reporting 13 days clear 🙂

Hi Phil,

There are a lot of us about to get our salaries for what seems like the first time in ages and, quite rightly, you are right to be on guard. I wonder if your mate will consider a break from the machines, too.

Let February be the month that you don't gamble. I've stopped for 56 days now, and, silly as it sounds, Im acting with an almost child-like wonder when I look in my wallet and pockets and find coins and notes in them! Before, the whole lot would have been hoovered up by gambling.

Your approach and attitude is very encouraging, Phil. Let a February be YOUR month. The first whole month where you are deciding - enough of this, I choose life, not a fast train to misery. All the best!

Hi Mixer,

Thanks for your comment. For some reason, I seem to get a lot of peoples' backs up on this forum so it's really appreciated that you took time to write such an encouraging post...Thankyou.

Today is, indeed, pay day and I have no intention of giving any of my hard-earned to Mr GamesTec. I had to goto a cashpoint this morning (I didn't have a tenner to put in my GF fund). I would normally withdraw £200/250/300 so I had some 'playing money' on me. This time, I got £50 (£10 for the pot and £40 for a takeaway tonight and a pint or two after work). It's a small thing but hopefully it's a change in mindset.

VERY well done on 56 days, a place I hope to be soon. I know what you are saying about the money, I just think how many times I've woken up with regret over a £100/200/300 loss the night before and the joy if I found that in my wallet now. February will be a gamble-free month for us both.

Have a good one!

Phil

Day 13

Had a busy family day yesterday so no real temptation to have a bet or find any slots to play.

Today will be more of a challenge as meeting a couple of mates for a few beers. They both gamble so it will be a test of my reserve but I'm doing well and accept the challenge.

Bring it on...

Have a good day everyone.

Phil

I get that gambling is almost impossible to avoid but why put yourself in a position where it's a test? And if you "pass" this one, what next?

CW

Hi fellow Phil! Hope you had a good day. I know where you are coming from but just because they gamble doesn't mean it has to be a challenge for you in my opinion. If they start talking about betting and you feel uncomfortable and they are GOOD friends who know your situation - they may not as that as is your business - you could always ask them to change the subject. Just my view. All the best, Phil.

Hi Phil,

I just saw your post on Fluffycats diary re; the demo mode. Please don't do it, it doesn't scratch the itch, it opens the wound and was partly responsible for my last blow out over a year ago.

Best of luck Phil.

Twinklyr x

Right, time for honesty...I'm back to Day 1.

I'm going to glance backward but not dwell on it, I remained GF for the longest time in my adult life so, whilst I've taken a step back I am not back to square 1. My counter has been reset but I will not use this as an excuse to give up giving up, I had a taste of the GF lifestyle and I am more determined than ever to succeed.

At the risk of being a walking cliche, I have to do this one day at a time, it was the basis of my 'success' but I lost focus. I have spoken to my wife (she knows I gamble but didn't know the extent), talked to a couple of close friends who gamble and even the landlord of my local (who has threatened to ban me if he sees me playing the machines).

Down, but not out...Take 2