Happy New Year! It’s January again and it’s already time for all that ‘new year, new me’ rubbish – we call it rubbish, because honestly we’re done with it, and with New Year’s resolutions too. No more wanting to change, no more wanting to set unrealistically high standards for ourselves that we then feel guilty about not meeting. Instead this year we’re embracing the fact that we’re already enough without wanting to lose weight or quit smoking or save for a holiday in Bali. That’s why rather than resolutions, we’re writing ourselves a bucket list instead, with one goal for every month of 2022. Apply them to your gambling as well as your life and watch yourself succeed all year long!

1. January – Save money
It’s been an expensive December and it looks to be a long January ahead. How can a month with 31 days last for more than 12 weeks? It’s an enduring mystery. That’s why in order to stretch your money as far as possible throughout the month, you’ll need to stick to a budget – which is where economizing comes in. In everyday life, that means looking for bargains when you go grocery shopping, and resisting the urge to go out when you can entertain yourself at home instead. When it comes to your gambling, it means signing up with a new casino in order to take advantage of the generous welcome bonus, keeping an eye out for any promos, bonuses or giveaways, and doing everything you can to make the most out of your allotted casino budget. The more free money you can get away with using, the better!

2. February – Fall in love
Yes, we’re just soppy romantics at heart, and we know there’s a little of that inside you too! With Valentine’s Day coming up, why not celebrate the month of love by falling in love? And we don’t mean with a person either (although if you can find someone, then bonus!). We mean finding a passion for something, like knitting, trail running, wine tasting, chess – anything your heart desires. In gambling, we mean finding a new game to play, or falling in love with a new strategy, or a new variation of an old gaming favourite. And if you are on the lookout for actual love, the best way to find it is by doing things that bring you joy – so it’s a win-win.

3. March – Do something that scares you
Nothing grows in a comfort zone, so get out of yours and start experiencing life with all its thrills and spills. If that means skydiving or bungee jumping then awesome, but if it means just saying hello to a stranger, then that’s cool too. If in gambling it means joining a tournament and taking part in a promo for the first time then open yourself up to that experience and see what new and exciting opportunities come your way. If you’re half-scared, half-excited about something, that’s your intuition telling you to go for it!

4. April – Reach out to an old friend
Connections fade over time but that doesn’t mean they can’t be renewed again. If there’s an old friend of yours you haven’t seen for a while and who you’d like to reconnect with, then take the plunge, reach out to them over text or social media, and see if they’re keen to get together. Similarly, if there’s an online casino game you haven’t played for a while, go back and revisit it, and remember what drew you to it in the first place. Just because it’s an old favourite doesn’t mean you can’t make new memories with it!

5. May – Kick the habit
If there’s something you’ve been wanting to stop for a while now, such as a habit that’s having an unhealthy effect on your life, go for it. It doesn’t have to be smoking or drinking – it could be as simple as always hitting the snooze button and oversleeping, or leaving tasks until the very last minute, and then panicking five minutes before your deadline. Perhaps you’ve also picked up a few gaming habits that you’d like to ease back on, like playing a little past your budget and having to dip into your savings to cover the shortfall. If that’s the case, now’s the time to tighten the reins and set yourself limits. It’s not just good for your budget, it’s good for your mental health too, and it’s the kind of responsible gambling behaviour that’ll see you go far in the long run.

6. June – Be kind to yourself
We don’t know about you but we’re always setting ourselves unrealistic goals, then beating ourselves up when life doesn’t go our way. Negative self-talk is so damaging to our self-esteem and our self-worth, it’s important to realise when we’re doing it, and to change the narrative instead – because nothing positive ever came from a negative. So the next time you make a mistake, or maybe even find yourself on a losing streak, don’t instantly revert to insults and negativity – and in the case of gambling, don’t ever try to chase your losses and win all your money back. Instead be kind to yourself and your budget, treat yourself with grace and empathy, and step away from the situation. You’ll feel a lot lighter, and be in a far more positive headspace as a result.

7. July – Get some fresh air
Yes, we know how tempting it can be to sink into the couch and stay there, but getting outside isn’t just good for your physical health, it’s good for your mental health too. So make an effort this month to get outside for at least a few minutes a day and experience the beauty of nature and the healing power of the outdoors. Go on a walk, go on a hike, go sunbathing, it’s your choice. And when you’re done, you can still get some gaming in on your mobile device too, because it’s the 21st century and that’s a thing now. So no matter where you go, you’ll still be able to take your online casino and all your favourite games and jackpots with you. Yay for innovation!

8. August – Practice some self-care
Motivational books talk about self-care a lot, usually in terms of bubble baths and chocolate – which are important for self-care, yes, but they’re not the only things that contribute to it. In fact, self-care also means taking a long, hard look at your life, and doing the things that are in your best interests, whether you want to or not. And that could mean cleaning the house, getting some exercise, sorting out your finances, or improving your performance at work.
In terms of your gambling behaviour, self-care could mean prioritising your budget, and setting yourself hard limits in terms of how long you play and how much you spend, all for the good of your bankroll. It could also mean making a concerted effort to step away from your gaming when you’re on a losing streak, or when you’ve been playing for too long without a break. Listen to your body and your mind, give yourself the space that you need, and come back to your gaming when you’re fully refreshed the next day, and ready to make clear-headed decisions. Self-care – it’s the only way.

9. September – Try something new
It’s winding down to the tail end of the year, and it’s a time where people often find themselves losing motivation and becoming burnt out, irritable and frustrated. Don’t get stuck in a rut or in old patterns – avoid this trap by shaking things up and trying something new instead. Rather than slouching on the couch on the weekend to watch yet more Netflix, do something you’ve always wanted to do but have never found the time for. Go to that weekend market, redeem that birthday kayaking voucher you never thought you’d use, read that book that’s been sitting on your nightstand forever – just something to snap you out of your stupour and breathe new life into your routine.
When it comes to your gambling, sign up at that new casino you’ve always wanted to try, play that new game, try out for that tournament. If the past two years have taught us anything it’s that life’s too short – so don’t sit around wishing you were doing X, Y and Z – go out and actually do something instead!

10. October – Practice mindfulness
It may sound clichéd but that’s because it actually works – it wouldn’t be recommended so often if it didn’t. Most of us spend so long lingering on the regrets of the past and stressing about the challenges of the future that we forget to actually live in the moment and appreciate it for the gift that it is. And that’s all that mindfulness is – connecting to the present moment, and breathing it in in all its glory. So the next time you find yourself sad, stressed or overwhelmed, rather than reaching for food, alcohol or another sabotaging mechanism to cope, try a mindfulness practice like meditation, deep breathing or yoga instead, and see just how much it calms your mind and allows you to refocus.
It’s the same with gambling. Often we might find ourselves becoming stressed or overwhelmed by a certain outcome, and in these situations it’s easy to let our emotions get the best of us and rule our decision-making. To ensure this doesn’t happen, the next time you sway towards playing with your heart rather than your head, close your eyes, breathe deeply, and concentrate on being present in the moment. The more you’re able to calm yourself and stabilize your emotions, the better your decision-making, and ultimately your gambling will be.

11. November – Eat the cupcake
Yes, yes we know, you’ve probably been working on your health (or at least thinking about it) for most of 2022. But now it’s November - the year is winding down, the holidays are fast approaching, and that always means more comfort food. We try to stay away from it for the most part because we like fitting into our jeans, but there does come a point where you have to enjoy life, and that point is usually right around this time of the year. Plus, the whole purpose of life is to spend it doing things you love, and if that means eating the cupcake, then eat the cupcake and enjoy every last bite. When it comes to your gambling, it means playing the games you love even if you know they’re high volatility, trying for that progressive jackpot, taking a chance on the gamble feature – all things that are usually best done in moderation, but still worth doing. So why not take a chance on the things you love once in a while, because honestly, what’s life without a little indulgence anyway?

12. December – Give yourself a gift
Holiday season is always about treating others, but don’t forget to treat yourself either amidst all the shopping chaos. Set aside some of your holiday budget for a gift for yourself, and put yourself on the list too while you’re shopping for family and friends – because you’re just as deserving of an awesome gift as everyone else. The same goes for your gambling. If there’s a promo or a tournament you’ve been wanting to enter, or even a casino in Vegas or Monaco you’ve always wanted to visit, now’s the time to put it on your Christmas list and make your dreams finally come true!
So that’s that then – 12 bucket list items to check off, 12 goals to aim for and 12 ways to get more out of your gambling than ever before. It’s not just a year of aspirations ahead – it’s a year of personal development, of growth, and hopefully gambling success to look forward to as well. 2022 is just brimming with opportunities – let’s all go out there and make the most of every one!