The positives of stopping

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Annie2016
(@annie2016)
Posts: 267
Topic starter
 

Thought I would list the positives that I am experiencing at 31 days gamble free so I can look back and remember when I feel the pull of gambling......1. Buying a friend a gift while they are convalescing without worrying that it'll break me financially. 2. Being able to write a cheque for my child's after school club knowing that there will be money in my account whenever it is cashed in (previously I'd always made an excuse to pay in cash as couldn't guarantee they'd be money left from gambling). 3. Going to bed before midnight. 4. Not sneaking up to bed and having a whirring brain about losses, trying to rationalise, and all the other mental anguish that gambling entails. 5. Making a soup from scratch for the first time ever because I am not wasting time gambling. 6. Feeling at peace with my finances - over 5 years I think I must have lost in excess of £50,000 but I'm looking forward. 7. Being able to look ahead to the new school term and know that I can afford for my children to have school dinners rather than packed lunch if they want. 8. Being able to make lunch dates without worrying that by the time it comes round I'll be broke. 9. Not having to take out cash on payday to ensure that I have a bit of money just in case. 10. Reading books again - I have found them addictive in a good way. Good luck to everyone - I am going to try and keep my defences up

 
Posted : 3rd September 2018 8:33 pm
(@Anonymous)
Posts: 0
 

This is really motivating and while on day 20 myself, I am starting to experience similar benefits.

Keep it up girl, you got this! x

 
Posted : 3rd September 2018 9:09 pm
Annie2016
(@annie2016)
Posts: 267
Topic starter
 

Thanks Laura. I know the pull of gambling can catch us all unawares. So glad you are beginning to feel the positives too xx

 
Posted : 4th September 2018 9:22 pm
Hazard2myself
(@hazard2myself)
Posts: 381
 

Hi Annie, well done on 32 GF days. I have to agree that reading books could be quite addictive in a good way. I must admit that I've never been a fan of reading books until recently when I started reading a book on a plane. I got hooked. I'm reading "Fever Dream" by Preston and Child. It's so tense I'm loving. Let's hope reading book is a cure to this horrible illness. Keep racking up them gamble free days. You're doing ever so well. Take care.

Pras

 
Posted : 4th September 2018 10:33 pm
Annie2016
(@annie2016)
Posts: 267
Topic starter
 

Thank you so much. I'll have to check that book out. X

 
Posted : 6th September 2018 8:49 pm
Aum
 Aum
(@aum)
Posts: 3947
 

I enjoyed reading your post plus the feedback from others. Your list shows some of the great benefits of not gambling. It demonstrates that life has so much more to offer us than mindless, destructive gambling.

Sometimes life can be a little unkind but that doesn't justify us going on a self destructive gambling binge. On those occasions we can look upon adversity as a challenge to be embraced and overcome.

Most of all, be kind to Annie and give her an abundance of love, respect and understanding. You are a child of the universe, precious and unique. I wish you peace, contentment and happy days as you continue on your gamble free adventure....stephen x

 
Posted : 7th September 2018 12:32 pm
signalman
(@signalman)
Posts: 1199
 

Thanks for the posts Annie. On point and inspiring. You describe a life I once had but currently dream of having again at this point... hopefully over time it will become my reality again. Thanks

 
Posted : 7th September 2018 10:39 pm
Annie2016
(@annie2016)
Posts: 267
Topic starter
 

Thanks signalman.

I have felt really hacked off about a few things today and I haven't turned to gambling!! Hurrah!! Sometimes life is just pants - but gambling would only make it worse - I know that now.

 
Posted : 11th September 2018 8:10 pm
Annie2016
(@annie2016)
Posts: 267
Topic starter
 

42 days. 6 weeks in total. That's pretty good going. At a cross roads. I'm choosing to complete another 6 weeks gamble free. That will be 84 days. As soon as the possibility of relapsing occurs it's best to bash it on the head! So I'm bashing it - bang bang bang.

 
Posted : 14th September 2018 5:51 pm
(@adam123)
Posts: 2795
 

Hi Annie, looks like for u no gambling equals no worry, if u don't want to worry carry on ur road. I'll be with u I'm on just over a month now. For me the main positive of not gambling is not having to lie, I really hate losing and I'm not good at it but I had to hide my gambling tracks over the years I as spending money on gambling and nothing else, not huge sums but it took its toll on me emotionally.

​

 
Posted : 14th September 2018 7:51 pm
(@adam123)
Posts: 2795
 

Meant to say I hate lying not losing, I used to lye to my mum about my spending, id say yeah I bought some drinks when id spent all my money on gambling.

​

 
Posted : 14th September 2018 7:54 pm
Annie2016
(@annie2016)
Posts: 267
Topic starter
 

Thanks Adam - you have really clearly defined what gambling and the absence of it means to me and I'm sure many others. Gambling equals worry - I will remember that! Like you I hate lying and sadly that is another consequence of gambling - whether it's about money or how you are spending your time etc. I wish you well on your journey and over month is great!!

 
Posted : 14th September 2018 8:31 pm

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