What a day!

Good Morning,

So pleased you are posting regularly on your diary. As you say it's a place to unload and you use it for whatever you need. It's your diary. We are here for support if and when it is needed. For now I will say welcome to just left of centre. Far safer than far left or far right Gambling falls into one of those categories.

Wishing you a pleasant Sunday,

Flagg

Thanks Flagg, I'll endevour to stay centred (or thereabouts!!!)

Well day 7 gamble free.

What a week it's been. In my profession we're encouraged to reflect on work related issues- something I rarely do in my private life. Last Sunday, I was very focussed on recent large losses- my recent gambling had got out of control . I "forgot"/ didn't think about the almost daily smaller losses or time I'd spent online gambling, Its strange how something massive makes you realise how bad the small things were- how many hours did I waste, I realised I used to "itch" to get home to gamble even when out with friends. Thats one of the big things I've noticed already this week, I can truely enjoy being with people I love without gambling intruding.

I'm still finding it hard to allow myself to move on from financial losses, however am trying so hard to look forward, and be glad that I've stopped before I lose everything that's important in my life as has happened to so many others.

Funny, when I was clicking "spin" I didn't think about it.....but now that I'm not, I do incessantly- not that I want to- just that I wish I'd realised sooner how destructive it is.

There were a few wobbles this week and I'm so proud that I didn't give in.

Next week should be a bit easier, won't have internet access at all. Plan to keep a paper diary which I may or may not transcribe on here for my reflection.

Looking forward to moving forward every day.

Hi Irene,

Well done on 1 wk gamble free, u r doing gr8 🙂

Take it one day at a time, u can do this!

Stay strong xx

Hi Irene

Great reflective post I think it's easy sometimes to do the work reflection but we don't do it on a personal level I try each night to think about my day and what I did we'll and what I could of done or handled better it shows the progress we are making and also the areas we need to focus on I our lives.

Take the time out to try and put yourself and your life in to prospective it really works.

Keep going your heading in the right direction.

Take care

Blondie x

Hi Irene

Keep up the good work girl onwards and upwards a big well done for getting past the first week

Just for today I will not gamble

Take care and stay strong

Hugh

Thanks for the replies folks!

Day 15 Gamble Free

I'm back with access to Cyberland and tbh was so much easier without. Received loads of promo e-mails offering all sorts of enticing gambling offers- strange, I now see them for what they are and trashed them. I'd have previously seen them as an opportunity!

Hi Irene

A big well done on your 15 days gamble free.

Keep up the good work Irene and those promo offer i know what mean by them i got one on Sunday but i replied back staying stop sending me promo offers and remove me from there list and do not contact me, as they just want my money and trying to reel me back in.

I would stay you unsubscribe from any emails you get from these company's or just block them from sending you any emails.

Stay strong and positive.

I myself am on day 13 today without a bet and they are not gonna have any more of my hard earned money.

Hi Irene

Well done girl on 15 days you have brooken the magic two weeks mark and it only gets easier from here as long as you dont let your guard down.

Take care and stay strong and just for today I will not gamble

Hugh

Day 16 Slot free- and a difficult one

I visited local CAB for debt advice. Found it really hard to explain my situation knowing it is all my own stupid fault. The wee man must've thought I was loopy as I cried, stuttered and stammered through the initial interview!

Driving home, I did have a strong urge to try "just one last time" to recoup my losses- what an even loopier thought. Once again, the dog came to my rescue and we went to play in the muddy park instead, banishing all thoughts of gambling.

Reading posts on here made me think about the traits we seem to have- I can identify strongly with the impatience that so many others seem to experience. I want my life back now- no more secrets or "robbing Peter to pay Paul". I know it's not going to be quick (but I want it to be). I hope I'm prepared for the hard slog.

The CAB's given me some homework to do before I have my next appointment on Friday- that'll keep me busy! I never kept bank statements- I didn't want to see how many casino deposits I'd done- I'm so looking forward to my next 1s with no deposits!

Although it's not been an easy day, it's been a brilliant one- another step towards my goal of being gamble and debt free.

Hi Irene,

Just wanna say a massive well done to you, sounds like you are really trying to sort your life out. I'm on day 13 so you are beating me...lets keep it that way eh?

Sue xxx

Hi Irene,

Thanks for the post.

Oh yes we can certainly support each other....will be looking out for you.

Sue xx

Hi Irene,

U r doing gr8, well done 4 resisting the urges that takes a lot of strength!

It is good 2 read that u r feeling positive 🙂

Have a gr8 nite xx

Thanks folks.

Day 17- a chillaxed 1!

A "me" day- off work. Before, days off meant peace to gamble! Today I took the time to read some diaries properly- I've been like a diary butterfly before, never really had the chance to read any right through, just read bits n pieces from loads.

Didn't do anything much- had a lazy 1 with my wee mutt who enjoyed his walk in the sunshine- hard to believe its sunny in Glasgow in November!!!

Eventually got round to housework- I'm an expert at postponing/ forgetting to do stuff I don't like!

The good/bad news is my tummys no longer churning continually and I can eat chocolate again- a double edged sword 🙂

All in all a good gamble free day.

Hey Irene,

Many many thanks for the post. Glad you were able to take something out of my diary. I try not to obsess about money so much now. I have a debt management plan in place and it's going well. However, we can't change certain parts of our being and I do still think about money, how much I have for the month, what I can do with the spare money. It's almost like the addiction is hanging on to my coat tail.

Was really pleased to see you posting I know you found it easier with having no internet but selfishly it was nice to see you back on here. Even better you are still bet free. 18 days today 🙂 seems like 2 minutes since you came to 'Chat'!

Stay strong, you are doing really well! Oh and nothing wrong with a bit of chocolate!

Flagg

Hi Irene,

Thank you so much for the post.

Sounds like you are really doing well....sopleased for you.

Bonus that you can eat choccy again...just in time for crimbo!!!

Hope you got an advent calendar...pref cadbury!!!!

Keep posting...keep abstaining!

Sue xxx