It has now been 28 days since I decided I was actively going to combat my gambling addiction, something that almost financially ruined me and emotionally destroyed me in the last 10 1/2 years.
On December 31st, I played my last bet on a land based slot machine room (known here as pokies). If there was ever a time I was going to resolve to conquer this terrible habit, it might as well be a New Years resolution.
To avoid any chance of relapsing badly, I did set an allocated budget (that I have stuck to) and kept playing online games. Each month, I am gradually reducing the budget by 25% each month, until it gets to the point where the amount spent is so small, I won't even notice.
The biggest difference I have noticed?
Life does not feel anywhere near as rushed anymore. You have money in the bank and can pay bills on time.
You don't feel obligated to work with businesses and people you don't want to work with.
You appreciate boredom and a slower pace a lot more, especially when spending time with family and friends.
Mentally, it is a lot easier to set goals and stick to them.
But, biggest of all, you simply have to find a big hobby or passion to replace gambling with. For me, it was running. For you it might be playing an instrument, starting a business, reading more, playing a sport, joining a board games group which involves strategies and tactics.
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