[Emma8]

You’re having such a strong day, I’m so happy to see that!

I completely understand the anger and regret. I’m trying my best to replace mine with thanks towards myself that I’m making an effort to stop. I’m looking after myself and making a positive change and that’s a good thing.

You’ve already done so much with your day and that’s fantastic. Thank yourself for it and look forward to the positive things you’ll do for yourself tomorrow too! 🙂

[Emma8]

I am officially onto day two of being gambling free and I am feeling really motivated, mostly thanks to this forum!

Today has been a busy one, so in fairness I haven’t had a moment to think about it. The coming days are busy too and maybe that will be the trick to making sure I complete my first week!

Something that’s helping a lot is that I’ve just had a couple of promises of work from clients (I’m a freelancer) so that’s bringing me a lot of positivity and calming any worries about being able to pay upcoming bills.

I’ll make sure to check in again tomorrow!

[Emma8]

I can’t offer solutions, but I can say that it is amazing that you are so aware of why you gamble. Debt, losses and money issues is a big one for me too. But I’m recognising that losing more to slots is never going to make me financially free or happy.

Often when one area of your life begins to improve, the others do too. Maybe you could focus on stepping away from gambling first which will help with money issues and then see what can happen around that as a knock on effect? 🙂

[Emma8]

Hi there!

I haven’t yet, no. Am I right in saying that you have to pay for that and other blocks. I understand how ridiculous this sounds, but I have a huge block to paying for things like that. I am actually very bad at spending money, other than on gambling. It’s mad isn’t it? 

The benefit will outweigh the cost though, I have no doubt!

[Emma8]

This is brilliant, thank you. The idea of positive spirals is something I’m really going to take on board. 

I haven’t paid too much attention to my behavioural patterns before now, but I do often find myself reaching for the slots as soon as I have a comfortable amount of money in my account again. It’s a horrible self sabotage. Now I have enough to cover bills lets just gamble with £20 and win everything back, it’ll definitely work this time. It’s terrible!

This journal is obviously going to help a lot with this. I’ll add my first note today and continue from here.

Thanks again!

[Emma8]

That’s exactly what happens, but then you get the buzz from winning £40 and think wow this is great! Forgetting that you’ve deposited £100 by this point. I love the comment below, positive spirals are the way to go I think 🙂

[Emma8]

I’m so grateful that you found that helpful. I often think my approach to dealing with things is silly because I take such small steps at times, but then often that’s exactly what we need!

I’m on day one as well, let’s check in tomorrow and celebrate day two 🙂

[Emma8]

Hi there! I’m brand new to gambling therapy and have only started trying to change my habits today, but I thought I might share this in case it helps. On my worst mental health days I just feel like blocking out the world and doing nothing, but it always makes me feel worse. I find that if I do small things like washing the dishes, putting on a load of laundry or cleaning the bathroom I feel a lot better. It might sound really silly, but those things make me feel productive and accomplished for the day and they make my environment brighter too. I hope your day improves 🙂

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