Playoff time

 If you are a sports gambler like I was, this time of the year is probably a little more difficult for us. Between February and June is usually a huge run of professional sports tournaments, and playoffs. This time of the year is NBA and NHL playoff time. If you wanted to just be in the action, any kind of game would fix that itch. It did not matter if you were a fan of that team, especially if all we care about its getting in on the action.

I remember my last bet like it was yesterday (although it was May 7th, 2023). I tried moving money around so fast that it did not matter to me as long as I was able to get a bet in. 76ers vs Celtics. My mom, her boyfriend, my significant other and I at the time all were in Holland Michigan for the Tulip Festival. We went to a flea market which was part of the Festival to look around. While my mom and significant other were off looking at stuff, I had my head buried in my phone, off to the side where all the picnic benches were, watching the box score of the game rooting on my plays. Did not even care about the game, I just cared that I turned that last $10 into something. In hindsight, what I should have done was hold my girlfriend's hand and walk around with her and my mom. Spending time with the people I cared about the most. I think thats what we miss the most when we look back on the past. Spending valuable time with the people we care about and love deeply.

Do i remember the game? No. The game did not matter. To me at the time, I just wanted a chance to win money. For what? It would've been gone anyways had I won. If it did hit, I would’ve probably increased my next bet to try and win more money that would’ve just done the same. The never ending cycle of winning and losing it all.

As I have said before. We lose out on so much time when we gamble. Time we can not get and will never get back. So spend the time we have on this earth wisely. Find alternatives for gambling. Whether that is in the gym working out, gardening, reading a book, journaling, or cooking. Spend that time with people you love and care about the most. 

If you’re currently feeling a similar way, please know you are not alone. There are many other people out there going through similar issues and want to help you. One of those places is right in the “Compulsive Gamblers in Recovery'' discord server. Currently at 85 members and growing daily. I (u/geoffwinningdaily, naturalscholar (discord)) created this server as a supportive environment to help others with their gambling problems. If this seems of interest to you, join here :https://discord.gg/p8nPXq6X 

Stay grinding, stop gambling. Life gets better. One day at a time.