[Emma8]

Thankfully it’s the opposite, I have been really busy with work and completely distracted from the thought of gambling! 🙂

[Emma8]

I’ve now managed to go two weeks gambling free!

If I’m totally honest it feels like longer. But I’m so happy I’ve made it this far. The blocks are definitely helping me. I’ve had two or three moments when I’ve tried to go to an online casino but the blocks have stopped me getting any further. I’ve noticed too much of a benefit in my bank account just yet but I need to be mindful that it’s only been 14 days. I imagine in another months time I’ll be feeling much better about my finances!

[Emma8]

Of course, always happy to support others!

I’m going to look into the book soon. I’ve had a very busy week with work so I’ve been distracted from everything else. Even gambling, which can only be a positive thing!

I’ll make sure to share my thoughts when I finally get round to it 🙂

[Emma8]

Absolutely. I think we can make it more difficult for ourselves when we set huge goals. Focusing on the next small step, whether that’s a day, a week or a month is far more manageable. We’ll also get the satisfaction of achieving it sooner too. Here’s too the next week!

[Emma8]

Thank you so much for sharing. I think that is one of the hardest things, feeling like I’m missing that high that gambling often brings. Realising and then remembering that there are so many more things to be excited about when I’m free from gambling is so important.

I really appreciate you both taking the time to message me, I’ll be sure to get that audio book now and have a listen to a little each day. That seems to be the best way for me to process things.

Thank you again! 🙂

[Emma8]

No, I hadn’t even realised he had written anything on the subject. Thank you so much, I’ll look later today!!

Money arriving in your account can be the hardest can’t it? All of a sudden you feel like you’re in a great place financially and the triggers begin. We just need to keep pushing through and acknowledge the importance of holding on to our money for ourselves instead of sending it off to the casino!

[Emma8]

I’m new to gambling therapy and have just come across your thread. It is wonderful to hear from someone who has now reached 18 months of being gf. I’m only on day 10 myself!

I hope you’re finding a way to manage your debt which is helping your health too. It does worry me, having so much to pay off, but we can only tackle it one day at a time can’t we?

Thank you for sharing your story, it’s really encouraging!

[Emma8]

I’m on day ten today and I’m feeling a bit flat. I don’t feel like I want to gamble but I’m not seeing the bounce back I was hoping for yet and so my motivation is collapsing a bit. I know it’s only been a short time since I last gambled, so I just need to give things a chance. I’m just very impatient. Maybe that was an issue that has caused me to go back to gambling in the past. Going to keep busy for the day and hopefully push through it.

[Emma8]

I’m on day 9 and I’m feeling really good. Full blocks are now in place so I can’t access casinos, even if I wanted to. I’m also getting into the habit of moving money to my savings account as soon as it arrives so that if I did get tempted to deposit I’d have to move money around. All these small hurdles definitely help! Looking forward to celebrating day 10 🙂

[Emma8]

That’s incredible! Now that I’m past one week I’m feeling good about being able to stay away from gambling. I know it’s only a short time but it does get a little easier with each day. Blocks are in place and I’m recognising the positive impact of removing it from my life is having. Just need to keep going!

[Emma8]

You’re making so much progress! It was never going to be easy, you don’t just switch from one behaviour to the other over night do you? I think getting through the first month will be the hardest. After that the habits start to shift and it’s more of a case of staying away from any potential temptations.

I love that you’re replacing temptations with other activities that help to make you feel better, it’s all a really positive cycle 🙂

Very excited for the next week, we are doing so well already!!

[Emma8]

This journal is helping me to recognise some self-sabotaging behaviours.

Now that I’m starting to feel good having not gambled in a week my brain is starting to lean towards “well things are going well so maybe if you just tried £20 you might win everything back again and wouldn’t that be great?!”.

This is so frustrating but also helpful. I know what to look out for now. I don’t want to ruin my positive run of seven days clear and I obviously don’t want to lose money so I won’t gamble. Going to do some reading instead I think. Personal development to help me grow instead of going backwards!

[Emma8]

We made it to one full week!! I’m chuffed for both of us, it’s a big step 🙂

Definitely feeling some urges myself so going to switch off the laptop and do some reading instead. I like this idea of replacing the urge to gamble with another activity, it’s brilliant!

[Emma8]

Hi Nick, are you getting on well and about to celebrate day 50? I’ve just hit one week myself and it feels good to track the numbers and see my progress. Not having to scrape by with no money is making a huge difference alone! Keep going, I’m looking forward to seeing you hit two months soon!!

[Emma8]

I have officially gone one entire week without gambling. That makes me so happy to say 🙂

It has been a busy seven days, so you could say it’s been “easy” to do in some ways, but I know that without this forum and being able to journal I would have been far more likely to feel tempted to go onto a casino.

This seemed like a tough milestone when I started and I’ve done it, so it’s time to set myself my next goal. I’m really looking forward to hitting one full month and seeing impact it will have on my bank account and my mental health!!

[Author]

Posts