A Little Frustrated
Sometimes I get a little frustrated that I have to plan everything out, and I can't just go places like normal people. I also have to have a plan what to do if I go someplace that has a casino near it. I understand why I have to do it, but it just gets very old sometimes. I keep focusing on the fact that I am making huge progress regarding my recovery, but there are still times that I get a little frustrated and down on myself. Oh well, I guess it is a good problem to have because the other option would mean that I am sitting at home doing absolutely nothing, and I would not like that at all.
Replies
Ah, boredom... Enjoy it- you\'ve earned it!
When I first quit, I couldn\'t imagine staying away from the damn place- let along not going by it daily. My poison place is less than 5 minutes away from me and I passed it all the time. In one of my first GA meetings I expressed my dismay at not being able to NOT go by and be tempted. The advice I got was- well, just don\'t drive by... I thought, what are you nuts? However, either subconscious or not, I have rarely driven by it, although it was an almost daily occurrence for me prior. When I do drive by, I do notice it, but a smile comes to my face and I drive on by. The fact is, for me, just being near a place to bet and there\'s likely one (even a 7/11 or something very near), I don\'t get tempted as time has passed so long as I remember the pain it caused my family and myself. I really think that if I actually went into a full on casino it would be very tempting, but just keeping out of the place has worked so far.
As far as doing something- do anything! You no longer have the lost time to fill, take up an old hobby, find a new one or what\'s worked well for me is reconnecting with friends that I had distanced from or haven\'t seen in a while regardless of gambling.
Hang in there Sue!
Jay
Thanks. I am at a good spot right now because I have no desire to go in or near a casino. What I meant when I said I drive by them is I help coach AAU basketball and we travel all over. I am so busy with my job and basketball, I do not really have time to be bored right now. It is during the summer when I have down time that I will really have to have a plan to keep myself busy.