What a day!

Thanks for posts folks

Day 18 just about done- another lazy 1 🙂

Dreading 2morrow- debt counsellor. Still putting off my "homework" ingoings/outgoings etc that I need to do b4 I go- arghhhhhhh

Good news- paid 2day and not spent a penny from my bank- unheard of! Usually by this time I'm transferring from 1 account to other to cover bills after Ive blown some.

Chocolate's going down TOO well, by the time my advent calendar's done I should have 44 gamble free days unless I open all the wee boxes on day 1!

I'm kinda scared to feel proud of my progress, but I am (sorry if that doesnt make sense to anyone reading this!)

I'm sure I'll feel much better once I get tomorrow over with- I'm sure I;ll feel better with some kind of plan to pay what I owe.

Anyhow, tomorrow's another day............

HI Irene,

I hope today goes well for you, these are the things we put off and hide from when we gamble so you should be really proud of yourself that your facing it head on and trying to tackle it so i think you should be very proud of that.

I hope after today that you feel some sense of relief that its all out there and you have some kind of long term plan to tackle it, and each day that debt will reduce whilst you are gamble free.

Take it one step and one day at a time and you will get there.

Best wishes and stay strong sometimes high emotions for me can bring on urges.

Take care

Blondie x

Thanks Blondie!

Day 19 almost done- phew!!!

The "dreaded debt appointment" went well I think. Eventually did my "homework". I had been so apprehensive but the advisor seemed lovely- non judgemental and unflappable. I'm trusting that he'll come up with a good plan. I've to go again week after next. Anyhow, its done!!

On another note, bought a few bits in local discount shop and was handed my change, receipt and a free £5 voucher for a bingo site- arghhhhhhh. I promptly handed it back- that's the last thing I need.

I'm seeing promos for everywhere just now- thank goodness for blockers. Think if I didn't know I have my block I'd be tempted. Despite knowing how destructive it is, I still have that "what if"??? at times.

Kept busy with fence fixing and housework- not the most glamerous of distractions but they worked.

Had a lovely dinner with my son who bought Chinese and had a good catch up. Spent some time also with my sis this evening comparing "Christmas lists".

I feel like a weight's been lifted, and I'm chuffed that I've not gambled.

hi irene great to talk in chat .iv just read your diary and can relate to so much that you have written.its good to no that you are not on your own. well done on 19 days thats fab ps brownies yummmie

well congrats on your days. anything that keeps ya from gambling is good so just keep doing what your doing.

Hi Irene,

Well done to you. You really are sounding focused, sorting debts, handing back vouchers........U go girlie!

Bet you are starting to feel so much better in yourself!

Myself am totally kn***ered after my last few days of excersise....so junk food and beer is my forte for today!

Sue xxx

Day 20- a good 1

A very quick post- X factor about to start!!

Today's been very peaceful. Coffee and blether with mate, made a lovely big pot of soup (without burning) and time out with the mutt. Just a "normal" day, hope this continues......

Hi Irene,

I always enjoy speaking 2 u in chat 🙂

U r doing brilliant, I hope u enjoyed the Xfactor 🙂

Stay strong xxxx

thanks for the post to my thread. hope xfactor is all ya expected. guess im from the states and not much for watching tv. seems when i turn on the thing i want everything out there. lol yeah kinda save myself that misery by leaving it off.

congrats on your days

Thanks folks for the support!

Day 21=3 whole weeks since I last gambled

What an emotional day this has been. Irrational crying and head spinning, all because the Christmas lights were tangled! Trying so hard to focus on the positives of the changes I've made, still sinking into the depair of "what could've been". Strangely, despite feeling rotten, I've not had the urge to gamble. A wee conversation with an advisor on Netline helped me sort out the tangle in my head and I now have a plan in place and the tools that I can use if I become emotional when I go back to work tomorrow.

The feelings today were so unexpected and a bit scarey.

Other than that, I eventually untangled the lights and my house is now like Santa's Grotto.

Hey Irene,

Really pleased to see you still gamble free. My own diary reflects that this 'spell' is particularly tough. You are doing some self loathing and that is why the urge to gamble isn't there. That doesn't make it any easier though. However, it is just a 'spell' and if you stay strong then life will most definitely improve for the things you have done in the last 21 days.

On that note an absolute massive well done on reaching 21 days it's a real milestone. You need to look at the positives and there are many already. Stay strong, keep posting, stick with it and you will see big changes in your life.

Flagg

sh-it girl good story and happy ending. thats what its all about no body said this would be a picnic but ya slapped a smile on my face cause ya ruled your day instead of it ruling you. way to go.

Hi Irane

Keep strong its a stressful time of the years and you will get lots of ups and lows just go one day at a time and glad you got the grotto sorted.

hi Irene keep going your are doing really well stay strong and positive always enjoy your posts take care hugs hattie x

hi Irene

Carl