Activities to do instead of gambling!

[Maro]

Im finding it really hard to remember what i enjoy doing it feels like i haven't donw anything else for ages I need to remember what I love

[Over punting]

Nothing will top the thrill of gambling. Let’s be honest. If we think crosswords and books will give the same buzz you are dreaming. The reality is with no gambling means we come crashing down to earth like normal people and need to just try and learn to enjoy the basics.

[Jeddie]

Oh Over Punting, you are so right but also so wrong. I wonder what has happened for you to post that? I am 113 days gf amd miss the pokies nearly every day. Sure the thrill of winning has gone but the peaceful easier life is here. Let’s face it we don’t win that often.
I dont want to go and experience the dreadful lows that we nearly always have for the thrill of winning that rarely happens.
Talk to us some more today. Where are you at with your stopping?

[Mona58]

Normal is good! Better than good! Its greatl

I'd be bored with just books and crosswords. If I were younger... I'd go sky-diving again! Or water-skiing... or Rock climbing... or,... dancesport... or.....Oh don't make me feel old! .. Today I can find thrill seeing red juicy strawberries on the vine in the morning and get to them before The birds do! . Thrilling to be able to touch my little card to a machine and pay for things I find and want,

Stay strong Over punting... go out and enjoy life!

[Shapied]

I prefer to play music instruments. I have already learn the guitar and recently started to play the piano. It makes me very happy, when i try to play my favourite songs.

[Oregon]

You are correct. Nothing is the same as the thrill of the win. But that moment lasts a few seconds. And it's surrounded by so much pain of loss.
Whereas keeping these activities up, you can look back and realise you've accomplished something.

A big win is free money. It's not an accomplishment. Maybe your research helped you back a good horse or you used strategy on the poker table but it's still not money earnt. It's money won through luck.

These activities give you long lasting pleasure and a feeling of accomplishment. I play the trumpet and there is no feeling to match mastering a tricky piece, (or even just a few notes) because of hours of practice. I do crosswords. I used to struggle to get a few clues on the daily newspaper crossword, now I can get almost all of them. One day I will finish the crossword. That will be a thrill I have earnt.

For me my gambling addiction is pokies. I have to remind myself, that the thrill is very very short lived and it's not earnt. I can't say I achieved anything because all I did was push a button. The buzz, the thrill, it's all amazing and the lights and sounds and coins flashing on the screen, it's all a charade to me now. I'm trading in that quick buzz for long lasting happiness and contentedness.

[Coleen]

I am really struggling with finding alternative activities. I've tried so many strategies, the delay 20 minutes, put the money in another account as soon as I get paid, dress daggy when I go out so I can't stop by the club on the way home, buy perishable food so I HAVE to go home quickly. These have worked but not long-term, I always revert back. I know what triggers me, its a high or low mood, if I'm feeling down, off I go. If I've worked hard, had a good day at work, I'm happy and I want to reward myself! The horrid pain of the aftermath of losing on the pokies never seems to stay in my memory though. When I get the urge, more placid activities like reading a book, watching a movie, doing crosswords, but don't give me the buzz of going to the club with the noise, music, lights and people. I don't have any friends but I'm still very happy in my life, just not that I lose money on the pokies. And I've read up the absolute fast and repetitive buzz that pokies give, so much faster than blackjack or keno, so I get the whole picture. But its such a struggle to find something else to do when I want to feel that happy feeling of going to the club. I'm a big believer in Mother Nature, so I have done walks outdoors and find that gives me a nice physical happy feeling. But that's ONE thing, and at 8pm at night, that's just not safe to do. Anyone who has a similar situation and mastered it please?

[JinxyWolf]

Hi Coleen,

It took me a good couple of months after quitting to start to rediscover my passions. For me it was art, sketching, wood burning, creating and golf. But nothing will give you the buzz that comes from the pokies, but as we all know that buzz comes at a horrible price. I'd rather be bored out of my brain than pay that cost one more time.

I found that setting financial goals is a huge help. My first financial goal was small, save money for art supplies, second one was a a little bigger, save money for golf clubs and so on. Set up some goals, set an achievable time frame and it'll give you something to work towards.

Nights can be hard, stuck inside nothing to do. I like to put on some music or a movie I've seen a million times, settle in the the couch, grab my sketch book and just sketch. Put pencil to paper and just draw, doesn't have to be anything in particular just doodle. My brain can just shut off and rest, no thoughts of pokies, stress can just melt away. You said you enjoyed nature, perhaps there are some online forums you can visit and find people with similar interest, or how about just grabbing a pencil and some paper and drawing some trees or whatever, they don't have be perfect, just let your mind wonder.

Goodluck, JinxyWolf

[Coleen]

Thanks Jynxwolf. I didn't think of it as a longterm thing, but I see what you mean. I'll keep going. Thanks for support.

[Earth]

It’s nto about the activity it’s about th connection to people and relatioationships
Have a look at ur relationships how are they
Have a look at ur health how do you want to feel,

We all get hurt in life but is there something that really hurt you and you couldn’t talk about it besides gambling.

Meditate and look inside

Let me know your thoughts 🌸🌼❤️🙏🌺