What's the best thing you've ever done for yourself?

[Apirateslifeforme]

If you look back at your life, what's the best thing you've done? I want to know what is the best thing that people have done for themselves in their life.

I'd really like to read things that people have done that have changed their life for the better =)

Studied and worked abroad. It opened so many opportunities for me that I really would never have had otherwise.

Qualified as an EFL teacher. Had done a degree in Business but knew it wasn't what I wanted so did the course. 20 years later I'm still teaching and have been lucky enough to work in amazing places and spend holidays having adventures and meeting all sorts of interesting people.

for all you courageous women who've managed to leave abusive partners and start new lives.

Packed up my whole life at the age of 50 and moved to the other side of the world with my ill teenaged daughter. Left abusive mother and stalking ex behind. Found the perfect holiday souvenir - the love of my life.

Started taking medication for my anxiety after years of thinking I could manage without it, finally accepted I needed help. Has made such a difference.

Emigrated to Australia and had two children who have changed my life.

Weightloss surgery in 2007. Lost 40 kg and another 10 recently.
Funnily enough my 9 months in a wheelchair and time in rehab - physical rehab from 4 orthopaedic operations in 2005/2006 - had already inspired me to go online dating when I returned home, despite being at my almost heaviest and having acquired 40 inches of scars.
During my online dating pre- and post-surgery, I auditioned 42 men, 38 of whom were one-coffee-only-dates and three 4-week to 3 month-dalliances.
Mr 42, who actually ticked very few of my long list of requisites (some of which were stupid) has become the love of my live. Thirteen years later we are very very happy. I didn't have any children but, through him have acquired three kids and seven grandies. It is so lovely being NanaSue.
Apart from WLS, I have to say that the decision to train for teaching when I was 18 has set me up for a really secure career. I left the secondary classroom 9 years ago ~ best decision ever ~ and since then have had a really satisfying high-profile role in education nationally.

sadeyedladyofthelowlandsea I’m absolutely intrigued by your story!

I’d love to know who your friend is - can you let us know what field they work in? I’ve often felt the urge to contact writers when I’ve loved something. DS has done it a few times, but never had a reply.

Entered recovery. I've always been quite a 'big drinker', but after having DD2, 11 years ago, I had really miserable PND, which I hid from everyone as I felt ashamed and that people would think I was unhappy about being a Mum.

The day I finished breastfeeding I went on a bender and it basically lasted 6 months. I was a mess and so very unhappy.

I am incredibly lucky to have a hugely understanding and forgiving DH, DPs and family who supported me, even when I had a couple of relapses.

When I first entered recovery, it felt unlikely to me that I would be able to stop successfully and I remember thinking at the time; "Nothing will ever be fun again". However, something clicked after a while and I threw myself into it, wholeheartedly. I have spent over 1000 hours working on my recovery - attending AA, Mutual Aid Partnership and 1-2-1 meetings, then later volunteering for addiction charities.

In stopping drinking alcohol, I have regained control over my life. Recovery services gave me the access to counselling that I had long needed to help me deal with my PND and to begin to enjoy being my DD's Mummy. I am healthier, of course, and save money by not buying alcohol. I like being the "Sober Sister", it's tedious being around people who are properly pissed, but I'm perfectly comfortable around drinkers these days and no longer have any wish to drink.

Recovery is hard work, but it's the best thing I have done for myself. Without it, had I continued on the downward spiral I was on, I am certain I would have ended up divorced with limited access to the children with whom I'd probably have had a difficult relationship. I'd be very, very alone - or dead.

Leaving the ex last year. Life totally changed. Left my house... my job... changed countries with 2 kids and our luggage. Felt free from day 1 .. finally a new start at 49.
It's never too late!

Had a nose job.

Did an MBA and also moved to Asia by myself for a few yeara to work.

Vanguard 6, agree.

For me it's dh. I used to live with an aching feeling, my stomach... Awful.

Met dh, he's been amazing through many ups and downs. Touch wood , don't tempt fate and its his stability that helped me.

My education. Honestly.
Fell pregnant at 15, and was in a mentally, physically and sexually abusive relationship for 9 years. Found out at 18 that DC had a neurological disorder. I was depressed, this was not the life I wanted for myself.

I carried on and worked hard in school regardless. I am 26 and two months away from finishing an MSC in Occupational Therapy. Without my education and knowledge, I would not have taken our local authority to court, at 21 years of age, to place my DC in a specialist school to meet his needs. Without my education and knowledge, I would not have valued the importance of child development and supported DC needs. Without my education and going to university, I would not have met great friends who would persuade me to leave the abusive relationship and realised the damage it was going to myself and DC.

It's been two years since I've left the relationship. I am very happy. I don't feel like my life is there yet... but it's going somewhere. But shit, it was a journey.

For me it’s going to college, then to study criminal justice and law at uni, after having DS age 16. When I graduated I remembered everyone of those disgusted looks other parents gave me on records of achievement day when I was pregnant. Or those who said I’d thrown my life away. I then moved away 6 months later to London from a sleepy town in north wales. DS was 7 then and we knew no-one, but I had a job and we made it work. Been here nearly 20yrs now and worked my way up and doing well. It wasn’t just for me but for my eldest son I did it. He’s 26 now and we are super close, though he did move back to the sleepy town!

I wanted to do A levels and go to university, my parents thought I was workshy and didn't want to get a job. It was a hard fight for someone who had been brought up to be be compliant and not take any risks, but absolutely worth it.

Changed career from a stable but ultimately unsatisfactory and mentally exhausting role. To get here I have had to make significant sacrifices and challenge myself intellectually but I have loved every minute.

The best things I did:

-I went to New Zealand at age 19 for a year, which was not easy as I was at the time in Latvia, I am from a family with modest income and before New Zealand I haven't been abroad any where at all. This meant I met so many different people with so many different goals and ideas.

• I went to get my 2nd degree after my first business went bust. I was studying at university at the same time as I had a full time job, got married, moved houses, has my first child who was a stillborn, then my rainbow baby who was and is an absolute joy. 4 years full of huge events in my life, but not once I thought of stopping university. I decided to study history of art and my strong interest in topics we studied kept me going.
• I always follow my heart and principles in my corporate career choices and I have a successful career without sacrificing anything really. I don't so late nights, travel infrequently, have fun projects.
• Last year I opened my own company teaching kids art history and I have found my calling doing it. I feel I am contributing to the world by sharing with kids all the art secrets and helping children see and feel. This is what I was born for.

These are my biggest achievements to date. I am 37 and if my health will remain strong there is nothing I cannot achieve.

Finally being brave enough to sign up for an access course then a degree at the age of 48 as a lone parent. I'm now 3 months off qualifying and have a job lined up back on the frontline in the NHS which I can start before my results come back due to the current situation.
I've worked since I was 17, it was so hard negotiating the world of benefits, seeing the looks on my children's faces when they had to take free school meals and handouts to be able to go on trips, buy school books etc.
We've had no holidays for 4 years and had a week booked to Devon for the summer which may or may not now happen.
I'm not even sure that we'll be any better off financially once I am working but mentally and emotionally I will feel like I've achieved something massive

Quit a £1600 a month job for a part time £400 a month job and really do enjoy going into work now .
Walked away from an abusive ex who then stalked me and my family but I didn't go back and he ended up back in prison .
Split up with a different ex who only wanted me for my bank account and what he could get .

@vampirethriller you are amazing

Counselling. Should probably do some more but the short number of sessions pushed me onto a path that made me able to deal better with things, live a happier life and be a better mother.

Also, learning to let go. I clung onto unhealthy relationships/friends. Now I accept that sometimes things have a best before date on them and let them go. Much happier.

This thread is lovely. Nice to see so many positives instead of bashing others.

Standing up to a wanker soon to be ex by calling the police twice in the last 3 weeks
Attending court by telephone on Friday and finally have got the ball rolling 2 years to get a judge to tell him to fill in his form E ,get legal advice and get along with moving the divorce forward at great expense .Hopefully our severely ASD child will be provided for Im really proud .

When I was 18 & had just started uni, I took an evening course in touch typing. I was baptised by full immersion at 39 yo. & later did a Freedom in Christ course. After I’d had 4 DCs, I skill swapped English tuition for image styling. All life changing for the better

I buy myself a birthday present every year. I know that’s trivial, but the 1st year I did it I was a broke pregnant 20 year old, and I got no others. It is my message to me that I matter, and I don’t need to rely on other people.