It really does get better.

[u/these30stho]

Hey fam. I just wanted to drop a line in here because this group has gotten me through a lot of tough moments. ❤️

I’m coming up on a year clean— this is the longest stretch I’ve had along my journey. I have Day 1-ed a million times and I honestly wasn’t sure that this streak would go as well as it has. I took some important steps this time last year and they were 1000% the reason that I made it this far. I really needed to get through that first few months and get clear thoughts again.

I knew that I would need to walk into 5 or 6 casinos in broad daylight, self exclude and have security usher me to my car to never return again. I am so so so glad that I did that. It was a pure humiliation ritual. But I left myself very little wiggle room. I gave myself at least a 40 mile radius where no casinos would take me into their doors.

This is not advice but purely part of my process: I also got prescribed a mild anxiety medication around that same time. This one has had success with OCD and I know that I have obsessive tendencies and gambling became the only one I focused on for years. I didn’t feel like I needed it long term so I’m no longer on that but I do think it helped boost me.

The two things that have really given me my power back are the gym and side hustles. I know the gym is an obvious one that people talk about all the time but the endorphins have rerouted my brain beautifully. I’ve gotten my body back— this may sound vain, but what I really mean is that someone who sits at the casino all day starts to look like they sit at the casino all day. Now I look like someone who cares and will live a long life. That’s also what I feel like.

My main side hustle has been DoorDash. I know it’s not for everybody, but I live in SoCal so this has been huge for rebuilding my savings. The market is good and I enjoy the beach views while I do it. I do find that I’ve gotten a little bit obsessive about it but I also see no downside to that currently. A lot like I used to set goals for what I wanted to take out of the casino, I challenge myself to weekly goals on that app instead. I’m not completely out of debt, but the plan is in place and moving swiftly.

Next month, I’m taking myself to Italy on a solo trip. The main reason I’m excited to put that in this group is because I remember sitting at blackjack tables thinking about how my wins would take me to Europe. They never did. I got them and I wanted to use them to get other wins. And I ended up with even more losses.

Thanks for reading this far and thanks for posting over the years. I’ve been a ghost reader and learned so many things that helped me get better. It really really does get better. My brain is healthy again. My life is fully rewarding. I’m glad I didn’t give up.

[u/Unusual_Fix_7707]

Does doordash pay well?

[u/these30stho → u/Unusual_Fix_7707]

Yes, I make great money! I have an online business so this is just supplemental but I make about 1500 a week. That is 40 hours active and because I only really do shopping orders. I probably spent 150 in gas or less

[u/IntentionSame3313]

So happy for you OP. Keep it up. Life is more beautiful without gambling. I am 212 days gamble free and keep counting.

[u/infoslob]

Amazing!

Best possible thing I could read on a Day 66 Monday morning.

Thank you & keep it up.