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Original poster

What small decision changed the course of your entire life?

369 replies

justanothermanicmonday1 · 10/09/2023 11:51

Lighthearted.

Mines was just getting out of a relationship, being in my thirties and thinking I'd never ever meet anyone. I'd got used to the fact that I wouldn't likely have children, and be alone. And I was fine with that.

4 weeks after I ended my relationship, my friend asked if I wanted to be set up on a date with her friends friend. I was extremely reluctant.....

3 years later we have a toddler and a newborn and it was the best decision I have ever made in my entire life. I didn't think I would ever be this lucky. He treats me how I deserve to be treated, hands on, funny, respectful, romantic & the best role model for our children!

Intrigued to hear people's stories whilst my newborn sleeps away..... 🥹

OP posts:
mycatsanutter · 10/09/2023 12:47

When I was 15 I swapped last minute with a friend where I was going to do my fortnights work experience. They offered me a part time job after , I became friendly with the boss's son and became pregnant by him at 18, becoming a mum that young wasn't in my plans . No regrets thou .

Seychal · 10/09/2023 12:48

I picked up a magazine when I was 19 and there was an article about a particular organisation and the work the people within it do. I thought to my self "That look's fun. I am sure I could do that. I could be part of that." I was also at a temporary loose end in life.

I went for several interviews, had to undergo some tests, then I got invited to join nearly two years later. Then I achieved something major within that organisation and got recognised for it. My time there was around 5 years and nobody but three close people knows what I did. It has had a lasting and positive effect on me and how I view the world.

Ratfinkstinkypink · 10/09/2023 12:48

Swiped right when I meant to swipe left, 6 years later we got married.

Ohmylovejune · 10/09/2023 12:50

At 16 I went into the local branch of my bank and asked to speak to the manager. He asked me into his office (those were the days!) And I asked him if he had any jobs available, or knew of any in banking.

He asked me why and I said because I love Maths and have just sat my O levels.

He asked what I would do if I didn't get a job and I told him, go to college and do a BTEC in Business and Finance.

He said, go and do that course, and if I wanted a job after I'd finished to come back and he would find me an opening as a bank clerk. (Again, those were the days!).

I went to college, and on a milk round secured a training contract to be a Chartered Accountant and was made partner as soon as I'd qualified and completed my practicing certificate, aged 24.

SwankyPants · 10/09/2023 12:51

Was supposed to meet friends in town, couldn't park so went to pub. Met my now husband. Been together 26 years

NuffSaidSam · 10/09/2023 12:52

AlexaCanYouHearMe · 10/09/2023 12:13

Not sure this thread will go well @justanothermanicmonday1 Whilst you have probably posted it in good faith, there's a bit of an air of smugness around it.

People who are not in relationships are very unlikely to be championing this thread.

We can't ban people from talking about happy memories/good things because some people are not happy/don't have the same experience.

lapsedbookworm · 10/09/2023 12:59

Deciding to browse a jobs website while my baby son napped. Spotted a job I really wanted and the deadline was 5 pm that afternoon. Bashed out a CV, was invited to interview the very next day, pulled together a bonkers interview outfit (heels on only smart shoes were wobbling so pulled them off and turned them into flats!) And got the job! It's been the perfect job for me both for juggling around children and being interesting and fulfilling. Several promotions and a decade later I am still with the same employer.

I often wonder what would have happened if I hadn't looked at the website that day. I was in a minimum wage job and couldn't have made it work around my son anyway. This job gave me the means to leave my abusive husband as well.

tuvamoodyson · 10/09/2023 13:00

AlexaCanYouHearMe · 10/09/2023 12:13

Not sure this thread will go well @justanothermanicmonday1 Whilst you have probably posted it in good faith, there's a bit of an air of smugness around it.

People who are not in relationships are very unlikely to be championing this thread.

Then hide it….

lapsedbookworm · 10/09/2023 13:01

AlexaCanYouHearMe · 10/09/2023 12:13

Not sure this thread will go well @justanothermanicmonday1 Whilst you have probably posted it in good faith, there's a bit of an air of smugness around it.

People who are not in relationships are very unlikely to be championing this thread.

So no one is allowed to post happy stuff in case it upsets someone else?

lapsedbookworm · 10/09/2023 13:02

Ratfinkstinkypink · 10/09/2023 12:48

Swiped right when I meant to swipe left, 6 years later we got married.

Ahh I love this one! Did you tell him it was accidental? Grin

Saverage · 10/09/2023 13:11

I've a few - you can usually trace good things back to one minor decision that usually needed a bit of courage. Mine aren't to do with romantic relationships, I am not good at those.

I did a weekend course in silversmithing that eventually led to an MA in Fine Art and working as an artist.

My cousin not allowing me to stay with him when I was backpacking so I moved on to another city, where I met friends I am still close with 30 years later.

Seeing an ad for a job in a sector that is unusual and applying in a 'what the hell I will give it a try'. I got it and it ended up massively changing my outlook on life and made some close friends.

DisplayPurposesOnly · 10/09/2023 13:14

Found a lost pet rabbit in our staff car park. No-one else able to look after it (whilst we tried to find its owner). Have kept rescue rabbits since.

Chose my university as a slightly mature student based on its proximity to a previous canal boat holiday (thinking it was a nice area of the country - which it is, although the town I lived was less nice...!).

LaPerduta · 10/09/2023 13:15

AlexaCanYouHearMe · 10/09/2023 12:13

Not sure this thread will go well @justanothermanicmonday1 Whilst you have probably posted it in good faith, there's a bit of an air of smugness around it.

People who are not in relationships are very unlikely to be championing this thread.

Indeed. It's all very well saying gleefully, "The universe has a plan for everyone," but when that plan is infertility and an eternal stream of disappointing relationships and bullying bosses that's a rather bitter pill to swallow.

Original poster
justanothermanicmonday1 · 10/09/2023 13:17

Ratfinkstinkypink · 10/09/2023 12:48

Swiped right when I meant to swipe left, 6 years later we got married.

This is amazing 😂

OP posts:
Original poster
justanothermanicmonday1 · 10/09/2023 13:18

@LaPerduta well as someone who also has struggled with fertility and lost a child, and has had a bullying boss and ended up in therapy. I understand.

LET PEOPLE CELEBRATE AND TALK ABOUT HAPPY MOMENTS.

Honestly - some people are so far detached from reality it's sad. You have absolutely no idea what it took for me to get to this point, nor anyone else commenting on this thread for that matter.

If you're not happy with this thread, go away!

OP posts:
Athena51 · 10/09/2023 13:19

I joined Twitter 12 years ago (it was very different then) and met my DP after we started following each other. We now live together and are very, very happy. Best decision of my life.

Original poster
justanothermanicmonday1 · 10/09/2023 13:20

Saverage · 10/09/2023 13:11

I've a few - you can usually trace good things back to one minor decision that usually needed a bit of courage. Mine aren't to do with romantic relationships, I am not good at those.

I did a weekend course in silversmithing that eventually led to an MA in Fine Art and working as an artist.

My cousin not allowing me to stay with him when I was backpacking so I moved on to another city, where I met friends I am still close with 30 years later.

Seeing an ad for a job in a sector that is unusual and applying in a 'what the hell I will give it a try'. I got it and it ended up massively changing my outlook on life and made some close friends.

Amazing. Good for you for taking that chance. This thread isn't just about relationships. It's about anything & everything!

OP posts:
mindutopia · 10/09/2023 13:23

I got fed up with my job after not getting accepted on a course for like the 2nd year going, so quit my job and moved to India to take a very low paid job doing something I enjoyed.

I guess that’s not a very small decision, but it seemed inconsequential at the time. I met Dh living there (he’d also gone there for work for a year). I took a slightly different approach to my career as a result and it’s been really wonderful. I’m married to Dh and have 2 dc and we have a great life. And I moved countries and live somewhere I never thought I’d live now.

OneRingToRuleThemAll · 10/09/2023 13:25

I took a few singing lessons just to get over my fear of singing in church. It was meant to be a block of 10 lessons.

That was 4 years ago and I'm now still taking 1-1 lessons, sing in a choir and will be doing 2 major performances in the next year, one of which will be singing at the Royal Albert Hall.

I had no idea that singing is a learnt skill not an inate talent that you either have or don't have.

LunaandLily · 10/09/2023 13:27

So this thread is actually “how I met my husband” not “what small decision changed the course of my life”

cuckyplunt · 10/09/2023 13:28

My husband shaved off his moustache 3 days before I met him…

ZonedIn · 10/09/2023 13:30

LunaandLily · 10/09/2023 13:27

So this thread is actually “how I met my husband” not “what small decision changed the course of my life”

No - the one above your post is about singing. Why not add your story, or alternatively scroll by.

Aposterhasnoname · 10/09/2023 13:33

Had booked a holiday a year in advance with exH before we split up. Didn’t want to go alone. Was seeing someone very casually and considered inviting him, but eventually thought sod it and went alone. Met my now DH, 24 years and counting.

Highlyflavouredgravy · 10/09/2023 13:33

Do you do this in real life? If people are talking about nice things?

Is there a new rule on mumsnet that we can only post about doom?

ANiceBigCupOfTea · 10/09/2023 13:34

Don't like the thread, jog on to another and stop pissing all over everyone's cornflakes ffs

Swipe left for the next trending thread