Year2 the GF future is here

Sharon you are absolutely wonderful and have set such a great example to others on the diaries.

419 days GF is a tremendous achievement and you merit a great deal of credit for that. I can see that your debt is like a ball and chain that you desperately want rid of but you must carry on being patient and show yourself the compassion, kindness and respect you deserve.

I have wasted the past year by being weak and foolish but am now on day 4 of my umpteenth attempt to stop gambling. You are a legend on the diaries and I will use your success as a source of inspiration. Hopefully, 361 days from now, I will celebrating a year free from gambling. Take care my friend and keep blazing that trail...stephen x

Thanks for your kind words as always Stephen. Just seems likeca long old road sonetimes so I read back through my diary to remind myself that I have come a long way. Even though you have relapsed the fact is you keep trying and as long as this happens there is hope. Moving forward is progress at whatever speed S:)

Thank you for posting on my diary Sharon. I have noticed you tip-toeing around the diaries lending support and giving encouragement.

I totally agree with your views on financial matters. Compulsive gamblers enter a world of make believe where they lose all sense of reason. Climbing aboard some maniacal merry go round we just throw money away as if it was cofetti.

Money is a scary topic for people who have suffered through gambling addiction. The scars go deep and I believe we suffer a form of post traumatic stress disorder. Our flashbacks don't involve violence but they can be just as frightening. I intend to follow your advice regarding financial safeguards. If I make it difficult for me to access money it will give me peace of mind and added security...stephen x

I found myself browsing the Times rich list yesterday and some of the wealthiest families have made their money from gambling companies. One woman is quoted as saying 'I helped to come up with the potentially good idea of online gambling' This made me think so much about everything I have been through and particular diaries here that have struck a cord But most of all it made me feel I never want to give another penny to this awful industry that basically destroys lives, Yes you have a choice whether to gamble but once you're addicted it'S another story. S 🙂

Thank you for kind words of support as ever Sharon! I likewise wish your daughter every success with her exams.

You really made me laugh: "straight back on the housework rota after her exams!"

That is exactly what we have said to Big Girl! We tidied and hoovered her stinky teenage room yesterday to help get her comfortable for her exams but after that she is doing house work and can get a job!

Take care of your daughter and yourself for that matter Sharon x

Sharon

Thanks for your kind words on my diary , it really gave me a boost

keep up the good work !

Sharon you superstar 430 days without a gamble. I am extremely proud to be sharing this road with you. Whilst showing immense bravery and courage you have always kept your resolve, you have endured the sadness, regrets and remorse that addiction throws at us and you have always been there to offer support to your fellow travellers.

Thank you for posting on my diary, the kind words from yourself and Chartom really brightened up my weekend.

It was a bit a bit quiet on the diaries yesterday, I couldn't help but wonder if some of the royal wedding guests were members of our gamcare community. One never knows !!!! Stephen x

Lol Stephen! Thank you for posting, feeling quite thoughtful at the moment. Mainly that I have made mistakes(haven't we all?), been stuck in the gambling cycle and been at rock bottom. But feel that it's all about the choices you make and coming to terms with the things you can't change ie the past and looking forward. All this is blatantly easier said than done but I'm sticking to this! Happy Sunday S 🙂

Hello Sharon. Hope your daughter is pleased with how she did in the exams. Exams are really stressful as we all know from our school days but I think children are under even more pressure nowadays.

I am taking a break from the diaries. I have been here for over a year and sadly relapsed on a few occasions. I think I maybe need some time away to gather my thoughts.

Thank you so much for the support and encouragement you have always given me. Wishing you every happiness ... stephen x x

Hello Sharon my friend. Hope all is well in your life and you are happy and chilled out.

I have had a few days off from the forum but now i'm back. Lean, mean and ready to do the business. Stopped counting days as I think the addiction was using it against me. I am now just going to make every individual day a gamble free day.

I see you up ahead in the distance, beyond the foothills of the Gamcare Mountain. Silhouetted against the sky you are a shining example that brightens up the landscape. Your inspirational journey always gives me a sense of hope that I can recover from this terrible addiction. Wishing you every happiness ...stephen x

Sharon41 wrote:

I found myself browsing the Times rich list yesterday and some of the wealthiest families have made their money from gambling companies. One woman is quoted as saying 'I helped to come up with the potentially good idea of online gambling' This made me think so much about everything I have been through and particular diaries here that have struck a cord But most of all it made me feel I never want to give another penny to this awful industry that basically destroys lives, Yes you have a choice whether to gamble but once you're addicted it'S another story. S 🙂

Congratulations on being GF for over a year, some achievement is that!

Can only agree about the industry, if only we could think how much hey are making and we will never win in the short or long term. Just look at the profits the FOBTs have made, not for much longer but still.

Leedsfan you seem like a charming young lady

Aware that the bookies were really quite shady

They chewed you all up and than spat you out

Screaming and shouting they left you wiv nowt

Bandits and scratch cards they messesd with your head

Tormented & tearful you laid in your bed

But now you have seen that you do have a choice

To stay gamble free, have fun and rejoice

Whoops that was supposed to go to Leedsfan diary

Hi Sharon. Hope your having a good weekend.

You will be 444 days gamble free on Sunday. That is so wonderful.

Apologies for posting message to Leedsfan on your diary. It's an age thing !!! She wrote that she would revisit your diary to read it. Take care ...stephen x

Hi Sharon

445 DAYS, WOW, time has flown by for us and I really hope you are enjoying the good times being gamble free leads to.

Thanks for all your support.

Matt

Day 451 Bit of a self indulgent blurb coming up so feel free to change channel at any point! So there is a huge gap between now and my last gambling session (which is great) but I still think about what has happened-5 years is a long time to be stuck in the viscous cycle. Financially I'm recovering slowly, my relationship with money has improved and I can see light at the end of the tunnel. Work is better than ever, although possibly working too much. My negatives are mainly self confidence and still feeling that I don't deserve to be happy, is this just me? Gambling was definitely some kind of self harm but it took me a while to realise this. Anyway, I have found the forum and fellow contributors a constant source of reassurance, wise advise and kind words. An escape from isolation, almost hand holding. Over and out for now and here is to a GF future Sx