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Original poster

Have you ever taken a big risk in life?

54 replies

treasure47 · 08/03/2022 20:02

And did it pay off? I feel like I've been very "safe" in my life so far. I've never done anything particularly risky, pretty much always gone for the safe option even if a little part of me wanted to do the opposite!

OP posts:
brokengoalposts · 08/03/2022 23:11

I went to a foreign university, I knew no one there and had never been to that place before, best decision ever.

bewhoyouaresaywhatyoufeel · 08/03/2022 23:15

After my exDH decided marriage to me was not part of his long term plan I fine 150 miles and started again with a job and only friends from work.

23 years later I am living 2 miles from where I started with a DH and 2 amazing DC and just about to start a fabulous new job. He did me a favour but I was (in retrospect) brave to just move and make such a big change. So glad I did.

NannyGythaOgg · 09/03/2022 00:48

Built my own house (not literally)

I was looking to downsize and hated everything I saw as my house had an open aspect and good view.

Built in the large garden of the original. Planning was hell and I came close to suicide over finances when original house sale fell through TWICE. So I kind of owned 2 houses BUT Bridging loan for the full cost of one and no income.

Original house finally sold and I am now in a small, energy efficient, new build that I love. With prices going the way the are, my fixed costs being half what they were/would have been and only my pension to rely on. I am so so happy and relieved.

Also, as someone older, I will say that I have made many mistakes but I regret the risks I didn't take so much more than those I did

Flatandhappy · 09/03/2022 02:37

Moved in with the guy I met at a party the night before (I had arrived with someone I was casually dating). Celebrating our 35th anniversary this year 😁

Calandor · 09/03/2022 07:23

Moved to London (300miles from parents) to be with boyfriend. Had no job as had just left uni and didn't know anyone bar DP in London.

Ended up unemployed for 3 months and then landed my dream industry. Still together with DP after 8 years and have lots of friends.

TeenPlusCat · 09/03/2022 07:27

We adopted 2 siblings.

lissie123 · 09/03/2022 07:32

Dh and I packed in both our well paid jobs. Sold our house and went travelling. Got back to the UK feeling terrified. But it was fine. Got better jobs bought a lovely house and then had kids.

Wbeezer · 09/03/2022 07:41

Im feeling a bit better about my rather safe life after my friend has just had to return from her job in Moscow leaving everything behind. I suspect she doesn't have regrets but I'll leave it a while before I ask her.

Namechanger0800 · 09/03/2022 07:42

Unplanned pregnancy at 23 with a guy I'd been seeing for less than 6 months. I decided to go ahead and he said he'd be there so I sold my flat and moved into his house before baby was born. Family and friend thought we were crazy. Over 20 years later we are married, 5 kids bought 3 houses and are happier than ever. I think my youth said a lot about the risk though - can't quite believe I sold my flat at that point in time

LaurieFairyCake · 09/03/2022 07:53

Most recent (4 months ago) Bought a house I can't afford Shockas last chance to secure future pension when DH left his work as got very sick from Covid - huge risk as he might not get better

It's still not worked out as the right thing to have done 😬

In 30's. Started new, expensive to train career - somewhat worked out (probably haven't yet made money back I lost from training yet)

In 40's Fostered children - that worked out Smile

Moved to the big city in late 40's - best decision ever

ginswinger · 09/03/2022 07:59

Left my safe and fairly dull career job at 28 and got a job in Japan. I remember when my new colleagues picked me up from the airport and I had a huge realisation that everything was about to change and there was no going back. Turned out to be the best decision ever but it's what you make of it. I took every opportunity offered out there, learnt the language and took my skills back home after my contract ended.

SmugOldBag · 09/03/2022 09:14

Spend £30k of money I didn't have to qualify as a lawyer while working full time. Spent 4 years studying every evening and every weekend missing out a huge chunk of social life in my 20's.
20 years later I'm a partner living in an amazing country thousands of miles from London, 2 minutes walk from one of the best beaches in the world.

Linguini · 09/03/2022 09:18

I started working as a prostitute when I was 17, knowing it was risky.
No it didn't pay off and I've been traumatized ever since.
That's not a "normal" answer, I know.

Shehasadiamondinthesky · 09/03/2022 09:21

Yes several that have worked out very well.
But I never just jump into things without careful planning first. I risk assess, plan and make sure I have a backup plan.
Jumping into things without planning is a recipe for disaster.
The last one I did was ditch my husband of 20 years, get a new job and move to the other side of the country. My life was getting really stale, it's 100 times better now. I'm living somewhere i've wanted to be all my life.

gingerhills · 09/03/2022 09:24

Not really. I dropped out of uni and ran off to London for a year to pursue a hobby I was obsessed about. I had the time of my life and it became my profession for a few years, but I also went back and finished my degree. I also moved abroad for a year but I got very ill and ran out of money and had to come home after a few months., It was still fun while it lasted.

I am pretty timid though, and I hate that about myself. I'd love to be more adventurous but I am dyspraxic and have ADD and find being ordinary quite challenging enough most of the time! Grin

MarshaBradyo · 09/03/2022 09:28

Got to London with one bag and three nights free accommodation with relative

Found a place to stay and a job in that time, so very fast

I was young and also had safety nets (eg could just go home I guess) and it was quite common for people from my peer group to do the same

SweetNcrunchy · 09/03/2022 09:56

We lived in a small cottage, I worked in retail, kids at primary. DH was miserable in his job, so was I. One mad day we decided to jack it all in and start our own business, we gambled EVERYTHING, although we didn't know it at the time - our sheer naivety was breathtaking looking back. 😮😮😮😮

However 11 years on, we turn over a few million a year and live in a huge house, nice cars, kids at private school etc. Its been hard work at times, stressful but it paid off. 🤞

Eileen101 · 09/03/2022 10:05

I love these kind of stories Grin

I was working as a paralegal for a few years after graduating but the company wasn't one where I saw myself staying. I was offered a job at a firm where they promised me there was a path to qualification (although others I knew had this promise elsewhere and were refused promotion or career development) but for a pay cut of 1/3. I wasn't going to take the job as I had a house and a mortgage in my sole name, but my boyfriend at the time insisted I should. Took the job for barely above ministry wage, had all the support possible to progress my career and qualified as a solicitor just under 3 years later, doubling my salary and giving me a brilliant work life balance.

Left my first husband. Looking back, it wasn't much of a risk, but it felt it. I'd slightly alienated my family getting married without their blessing, but never once heard a 'told you so' and was welcomed back with open arms. Met someone new (boyfriend mentioned above) who is now my husband and we're happily married with two children.

Costacoffeeplease · 09/03/2022 10:11

We sold up and moved abroad with no idea of how we would earn a living. Still here nearly 20 years later

gingerhills · 09/03/2022 15:30

@SweetNcrunchy

We lived in a small cottage, I worked in retail, kids at primary. DH was miserable in his job, so was I. One mad day we decided to jack it all in and start our own business, we gambled EVERYTHING, although we didn't know it at the time - our sheer naivety was breathtaking looking back. 😮😮😮😮

However 11 years on, we turn over a few million a year and live in a huge house, nice cars, kids at private school etc. Its been hard work at times, stressful but it paid off. 🤞

You must have had a seriously good idea for a business venture!
felulageller · 09/03/2022 16:05

I've been a risk taker all my life. It's a wonder how I'm alive.

Lots have gone spectacularly badly eg emigration, hasty engagement, DC before marriage, dropping out of post-grad for 'good' job etc.

The only big risk that was the best decision of my life was buying my first flat as soon as I had 3 months payslips from my first (temp contract) job.

I've had so many life choices and bail outs because of this decision at 23.

noodlezoodle · 09/03/2022 22:27

@treasure47 the 'expand' question is completely stolen from here, which is full of all kinds of good advice: www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/sep/04/oliver-burkemans-last-column-the-eight-secrets-to-a-fairly-fulfilled-life Grin

SweetNcrunchy · 10/03/2022 08:45

@gingerhills It was just the job DH already did anyway for someone else - its part of the construction industry, but with us we are more niche about it and now work solely for clean working environment factories, i.e food manufacturers, so we have gained large contracts over the last 11 years.

HollowTalk · 10/03/2022 08:50

@BritishDesiGirl

Yes, l married my husband after meeting him once prior to our wedding day. No conversations between us, until wedding day either. A big risk, but thankfully very happy with my decision.
I would love an ask me anything on this one!
Original poster
treasure47 · 10/03/2022 08:51

[quote noodlezoodle]@treasure47 the 'expand' question is completely stolen from here, which is full of all kinds of good advice: www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/sep/04/oliver-burkemans-last-column-the-eight-secrets-to-a-fairly-fulfilled-life Grin[/quote]
Great article, thank you for sharing!

OP posts: