As a degenerate gambler, it’s surreal when you finally run out of money. It feels like waking up from a dream. Cuz up until taht point every new play carried a small sliver of hope. Especially if you’ve been a “successful gambler” before and made it all back. That's what makes it even harder to stop. You don’t really give up hope until there’s nothing left. Then you’re forced to sit there with the full weight of your mistakes. And strangely, there’s a kind of peace in it. You always knew your actions could lead you there. But you didn't know how to stop. But that moment. When it’s all gone. Is also the moment when you can finally rebuild with better habits and better decisions. Brick by brick. Or you can walk away. And if you choose to quit, I wouldn’t blame you. But I'm still here today cuz I don't know how to quit.