And she's back!! It is still going well :)

Hi all

Some of you may remember me. I have been gamble free since September (albeit a brief relapse in between, can't remember exactly when but have chosen to ignore it. Just a part of the process of recovery) last year. This forum and those I interacted with have been hugely helpful in my recovery so thank you guys. Such a lot has changed. I no longer struggle through full time work, which used to massively exacerbate my health conditions (anxiety, insomnia and ibs). Since quitting the gambling ive been able to afford to semi retire at the age of 47 :). As weirdfish says, we gamble to win the life we would have if we are not gambling. 

The relapse occured because I had still left myself ways to gamble. It is no longer possible to gamble, as I have now made it impossible for myself. Because I cannot gamble, I do not gamble. Because I cannot gamble, I almost never think about it. My partner has now stopped as well, and in june we took our first holiday together in switzerland. Words cannot do justice to what an amazing holiday this was. I cried with happiness when we ascended Europe's steepest funicular to walk on top of a mountain half the height of everest, which had a beautiful turquoise mountain lake framed by even higher mountains. My partner now has spare money to spoil me and he enjoys buying me things. Life is just better, and I love my job but I also love all my days off (I work 2 days one week, 3 the next) and the swimming and gardening and walking and mini trips away that I fill them with. I have also been learning welsh, writing a book and reading at the top of my garden, on my garden swing enjoying the panoramic views of the welsh countryside. 

To anyone reading this and struggling with the gambling demon, the best advice I can give you is make it impossible to gamble. Put all the blocks in place, no exceptions. You can do this 💪