Prob a stupid question .....but I'm really struggling .......thanks again.

I think it's a great question. If you're not gambling, chances are you've added several hours into your day. Here's a list of things I'm doing now that I didn't do (or didn't do as much) when I was gambling:

- Self reflection: actually thinking about my day, the actions I took, were they good, were they bad?

- Watch movies: Holy shit, I missed a lot of good stuff over the years, and I love movies.

- Binge watch TV shows (Netflix, Amazon Prime): Now that I have a little more time, I have time to get emotionally invested in a show

- Talk with my spouse: Seems obvious, but as great of a husband as I thought I was (gambling aside) there were often times I wasn't engaged or present, physically and mentally. Some nights we don't even turn on the TV, we just talk.

- Be proactive in my relationships: Sometimes YOU have to be the one to initiate conversation. Relationships with a friend or family member is a two way street and that is often forgot.

- Meditate: One of the best things I've added into my life is meditation. I have no idea if I'm doing it right or wrong, I've never received any formal training out than reading a little bit online, but man is it amazing. I can't say I recommend this enough - and this is coming from someone who never, ever would have considered it in the past.

- Home projects: Didn't have time for these in the past either. It would have cut into my handicapping time. Recently did a complete remodel of our guest room. Wasn't cheap, but I'm not pissing away hundred/thousands of dollars. Helluva lot more fulfilling than gambling and it was an amazing project for my wife and I to do together.

- Plan family activities: My son is 18 months, walking and talking, and needing a whole lot more entertainment. It's fun seeing what local activities are out there that we might enjoy.

- GA Meetings: The city I live them has them early morning until late at night. When in doubt, head to a meeting.

- Exercise: I need to do more of this. I got a great routine going in November then caught a terrible cold in December and didn't get back to it. Was doing early morning workouts and it became a great way to start the day. Might even try to get back tomorrow morning. No time like the present!

By no means was this a stupid question at all. A great one actually!

I'm sure there's a million other things people will share. Look forward to seeing what others are doing and if it might work to incorporate that into my life.

Great answer Jason, and I applaud you for the obvious. ANYTHING you do is better than gambling. Nothing is possible when this addiction wraps its claws around your life. EVERYTHING is possible when you abstain from it . I play golf, have better and more sex, and actually enjoy my day whenever possible. I no longer dread meeting the bookie every Tuesday morning or playing poker for 36 hours straight. 3 years and 3 months away from the crazyiness and lucky to still be alive. Give yourself a chance people and enjoy this life, it's the only one you will ever get. God Bless All

I started this new thing where every time I think of something that interests me I write it down. Then, when I’m bored I refer to the list. Lately it’s all about new furniture for my apt, tennis lessons, and wanting to get a dart board. Reach out to family and friends rebuild relationships is a big one too.

This is NOT a dumb question. It is the first question that I had to answer as I started treatment for gambling addiction. I had to sit down and write out a list of things that cost little or no money that take at least 15-20 minutes that I could do instead of gamble.
Art work, coloring in an adult coloring book, meditation, writing in a journal, call a friend, call the national problem gambling help line, (1-800-522-4700), visit a friend, make a card for a friend, work a crossword puzzle, knit, go to the park, take a walk, watch a movie, go to the library, listen to an audio book, listen to guided imagery CD, make something for a child, take a bubble bath, give myself a pedicure or manicure, practice gratitude for what I do have. Go on a city bus route I have not been on before just for the heck of it, meet someone for coffee, make a lunch date, a scrabble date, a cribbage date, a play date, try to make someone else's day, begin my novel, write a rhyme for a child, make a sandwich/burrito/cup of soup and then find a hungry person to give it to, decide where to volunteer, plan the vacation I'm taking next year, write someone a letter, write myself a letter, sign up for a dance lesson, join a meet up group or start a meet up.com group, sing, dance find a comedy to watch. And yes, anything is better than gambling.

In recovery I’m realizing life will go on, with or without me enjoying it. What I’m trying to say is, it’s not as if I wasn’t doing anything else before I quit gambling, I was, but I wasn’t enjoying myself because my mind was being held prisoner by my addiction. I still had normal things to do, family things, for sure. I even picked up my embroidery every once in a while, knowing I was mostly just an embroidery machine. I was still reading books, kind of forcing myself to finish, wishing these types of activities could fulfill me the way they use to. A smoke screen. I cooked. I love cooking, but not when I was gambling, I forced myself to do things I use to enjoy. Music. I love it.
Wow, this is really a mind boggling question.
Because another part of the answer to what I’m personally doing is, sometimes I’m bored, sometimes I’m lazy, and sometimes a combination of both. I still suffer from depression, of course without gambling I know I’m suffering less. I’m listening to my own good advice regarding addictions, I’ve quit gambling so many times, now I’m clinging to my recovery, living in my recovery. I’ve changed my way of thinking about my addiction, I don’t have to feed it to survive, rather, I need to starve my addiction to survive.
There’s so much more I could say about what I do now, but the best part about what I do now is I am loving my life.
Today I will not gamble

Thanks everyone for all the good answers !!