Robin do you go to GA, or you just stopped..?

I haven’t been to a meeting since the beginning of this year, but approximately 10 yrs ago I went to a lot of meetings.

My wife and I went and did a little Xmas shopping today....When we were driving by a casino..i said ."would sure like to go play a little bit"....then said nope worked to hard to get where I am....but is was tempting....oh yes it was
But that being said Ain't going to gamble today and It is one day at a time...and I made it another day Praise God.....

It's been on my mind too, Robin, so I totally get it. So much going on this time of year, it's a stressor for me even though I don't have to do much to prepare any longer. Kids are grown, etc. Just that slight stress makes me want to go run and hide. BUT, I am trying to stop and think. Yesterday it hit me while driving away from my house -that little urge voice in my head. I told myself that if I hadn't stopped that nonsense I wouldn't have the money I have to buy a few gifts, I wouldn't have put up my Christmas lights. What I would have done is just make myself sick over what I didn't do and didn't have and couldn't buy. So, that helped - it stopped me in my tracks. The good outweighed the bad - finally! And, I am so thankful for that. My best to all of you. Take good care.

Holidays are always stressful for me and I don't even have kids/grandkids. They were miserable times in my abusive family of origin plus ads of all kinds give out messages that include a lot of guilt telling us we are not a good parent/aunt/friend unless we buy, buy, buy. I don't give presents unless I made them by hand and I generally do not participate in the Christmas frenzy. I take opportunities to gather with those that care about me and to do things for those less fortunate than me. But knowing ahead of time that it is stressful has allowed me, these past 3 non-gambling years, to plan to do uplifting things with uplifting people during the holiday season, focus on my blessings and try to be a blessing to others. Treatment, GA, recovery have made the holidays far more pleasant for me. It is through the practices of mindfulness, meditation, gratitude, forgiveness, and charity, I learned that make holidays and life enjoyable again. Take care all, hugs and joy sent your way. I won't be gambling today.

I’m guilty of thinking it’s never enough, or perfect enough. Working on my perfectionism, or rather out of it, is part of my recovery. I often wonder if perfectionism is a symptom of having an addictive personality? I’m sure it has something to do with control, I think! Hahaha
I sure understand sad childhood memories of holidays past, but I do have kids, and now grandkids, so that has made me at least try to get through them without complaining to much. Where would I be without my family?
Qwit, no kids, huh? It can be a lonely time of year for some folk, but not you, Qwit, you’re in Recovery, leading the way in a beautiful way for others like ourselves. People can still be lonely with kids. But in recovery we learn we are not alone in life. This one addiction has brought us together, here as a group, which is proof we are not alone.
We all need to be kind all year around, kindness is our gift to each other, and kindness is our reward.
Today I will not gamble

I very sad and hate myself again for not having willpower to quit gambling. I sold some things to get me by til the end of the month. I had $400.00 in my wallet this morning. I felt great before I went to the casino. I was on my way to buy food for Christmas dinner and a gift for my mom and friend. But I gambled it all away within an hour. Not even thinking of the consequences. I will never borrow money from anyone and my credit is bad so I can't get a loan. Knowing this, I still gambled it all away. I feel so horrible inside and finally admit I need help. I have gambled over 2500.00 this month and can't stop. I always think I'm going to win it back. I don't. I a retired professional person. I feel so low. I'm broke at Christmas til end of month. I need to know how to stop this madness.

DK2017:Well, you came to a great place. Read some of the past posts, educate yourself about your addiction. You will need to fully commit to quitting. The first step is to realize what devastation it has brought you and come to realize you are powerless when it comes to gambling and your life has become unmanageable. (Sounds like you have arrived at this realization.)
Next, you need to do anything and everything you can to get between yourself and gambling. Putting. blocks on your money, self-banning, start journaling, seek out a GA meeting, see a counselor, write out a "good-bye" to gambling and enlist your loved ones to help you are several places one can begin. You will need to forgive yourself and befriend yourself because you will not be successful if you continue to self-sabotage and fight against yourself. You need YOU more than anyone else.
Robin: I know you will overcome the perfectionism as you get further from gambling, more mentally healthy and engage more with grandkids. Assuming you are most perfectionist toward yourself, as I was, try to remember to treat yourself as the kind, sensitive best friend you have within.

DK2017 i feel your pain,as you search for reasons for this insanity, you may find no answers, other than "life is better w/o gambling" i have been fighting for more than 11 years, i gave up asking why and how and when, its so simple yet so hard, just dont go, dont do it, stop yourself, put up blocks, stay busy, retrain the brain, one day it will hit you, and you will be able to stop, just dont stop trying to quit.....Merry Christmas, its going to be ok talk God, he's waiting for you...best to you