Time to write

Hey Signalman,

Wow thankyou so so much for your lovely words that means a great deal. I've not been coming on very much which I suppose isn't a wise move as the more support we get the better right!

I've had a fair few dark days but somehow managing to stay gf, if I didn't have blocks in place I definitely feel I would have lapsed.

I'm glad my words helped you at the start of your journey and you are doing great still which is epic.

Thanks again hun xx

Day 171 gf

Always.Keep.Fighting.

Day 172

Still here, fighting this ongoing battle....tired!

Not long before you hit that 6 month milestone. You’re doing brilliantly. I’m proud of your fantastic efforts. Keep it going. X

Thankyou Dan!

How are you?

Dx

Donna2501 wrote:

Day 172

Still here, fighting this ongoing battle....tired!

Tired but winning one battle at a time! Keep it going mate - as always great to hear from you and my eternal debt to you continues. Every time I see you've posted you'll be hearing from me (sorry, but thats the way it is now) :o) you should be more careful who you pull out of the mire :o) take care

Donna2501 wrote:

Thankyou Dan!

How are you?

Dx

I’m doing good thanks, Donna. Slowly coming to terms with last weekend and telling myself that, in time, the money will sort itself out. I have enough money in my savings to cover a rainy day or two, so I’m lucky in that respect, but I find it very difficult to let go of losses. Which I guess goes hand in hand with why I simply cannot ever be a responsible gambler.

I just keep thinking of where that money could have gone and enhanced my life. I even said to myself last weekend (before I lost it all...), “imagine if I make this a birthday to remember for all the wrong reasons...”. I even laughed inside to myself, as if to say to myself, not even I could be that stupid!...

Low and behold... I was!

Anyway, I’m hoping next year will be a happier occassion.

How’s things with you, Donna? x

Day 200!

Hard to believe I've made it to this milestone!

I don't know if it's just the stresses of Christmas but I've been feeling edgy and irritated, urges have been far too frequent for my liking. I have to keep busy but some days just too tired. I will keep fighting because nothing will make me lose not only my family but my self worth and sanity.

Hope everyone is doing OK and have great plans for new year.

Always. Keep. Fighting.

Dx

Congratulations on reaching 200 days, Donna! A fantastic achievment.

Those urges are a pain, aren’t they!!? But you sound like a right little determined character... (wouldn’t like to cross you in a fight!...haha) and I’m sure you won’t let those urges defeat you.

Gambling doesn’t even come close to our family, friends and our sanity.

Keep on winning in life! Because that’s the best ‘win’ we could ever wish to have!

Dan x

Hey Dan! Thankyou!

I am determined but nearly crumbled so many times!

How are things with you, you still a bit up and down? Have you got plans for nye or staying in like me haha

Hope your ok

Dx

I’m not too bad thanks. I’m still very much up and down but I am feeling gradually better as each day passes.

I’m staying in tomorrow night too. Ha! But mainly because I don’t buy into the hype. I just see it as another day.

I love Christmas but can’t be doing with NYE. I’m at my parents house tomorrow night so we’ll have a few drinks and probably get some pizzas in. My kind of night these days 🙂

Hey Donna

Great post, I'm also trying to keep busy and indulge myself in 'positive experiences' - for some reason this takes far more effort and energy than indulging in negative ones like gambling or being idle etc. I keep telling myself that the positive experiences build strength and shapes my future in the way I want it to be. Like you, I fight on because I have too much to lose.

So yeah, totally get where you're coming from... Our minds seem to forget all the pain and suffering that come hand in hand with gambling, if we succumb we only remember this suffering when it is too late... let's keep moving forward and put that misery and pain way behind us.

Nice to hear from you as always.

DeterminedDan wrote:

I’m not too bad thanks. I’m still very much up and down but I am feeling gradually better as each day passes.

I’m staying in tomorrow night too. Ha! But mainly because I don’t buy into the hype. I just see it as another day.

I love Christmas but can’t be doing with NYE. I’m at my parents house tomorrow night so we’ll have a few drinks and probably get some pizzas in. My kind of night these days 🙂

I'm glad you are on the up, it takes time but getting into the right mindset takes so much effort, just got to remember why we are doing it!

I really don't like nye haven't done for years....maybe I'm just old haha

Dear Donna,

huge congratulations on 200 gamble free days from me too, that is an excellent achievement.

Sometimes when we hit a milestone (especially around the 6 month mark) it is possible to experience a dip in motivation and resolve. It sounds like you are fighting on though, don''t get disheartened, this shall pass. If you are too tired to keep busy with active things, maybe just look at colouring in books, or crochet or knitting, some kind of fiddly arts and crafts. These won't take a lot of energy but can take away quite a lot of focus from anything you want to switch off from. Whether that's gambling, work stress, etc. And then because you've made something with your hands, it can also boost your self-esteem.

Keep coming on here, keep posting and you are always welcome to call the Helpline or the Netline when the going gets tough.

Wishing you all the very best,

Eva

Forum Admin

Congratulations on 200 Days Donna what a fantastic achievement, one you should be very proud of.

I'm not too far behind you myself either 🙂

JW