Awww Charles and Laura I’m very touched that either of you remember me! It feels like such a long time that I was here and Laura you thinking of me is such a touching thought. Charles I will never forget the positive impact you’ve had on my life.
I am currently doing very well. Gambling no longer plays an active part in my life and hasn’t done for several years. I got married in 2014 and 2.5 years ago my husband and I had a son. I work one evening a week as a youth worker but what I treasure most in my life at the moment is that I am able to mostly be a stay at home Mum and get to spend my days with our gorgeous boy. I know that I am very lucky to be in a financial position to be able to not work full time so I can spend these early years that go so quick with my son. If I was still gambling as I was back then I know this would never have been possible.
As well as not gambling my mental health has been very stable. I had to come off the medication I was on for bipolar as soon as I wanted to start trying to conceive as it was a drug very dangerous in pregnancy. I haven’t been back on it since and so have now been medication free for 4 years.
Life isn’t always easy. My husband and I have been through a rollercoaster of traumas, events and subsequently emotions over the past two years or so but one thing I can now honestly say is that life’s shit is much easier to handle when you don’t throw gambling into the mix! In the past I used gambling as a crutch or as a mask, a way to get through difficulties but as I’m sure everyone on here now knows in some way or another that is completely wonky logic!
How are you doing Laura? I hope you are well and staying strong.
Charles I would appreciate it if you could speak with Harry to find out whether it is possible to retrieve my old journals (I think I actually had two!) but totally understand if they’ve disappeared into the ether.