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Original poster

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

270 replies

Apirateslifeforme · 28/04/2020 13:54

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 =)

OP posts:
SillyYak · 28/04/2020 20:21

Went to a great Uni (after contemplating sticking it in and staying in my hometown for a boy)

Published a book

Had DD

Joined a band and released an album

Found a great therapist

Went NC with parts of my family

NoIDontWatchLoveIsland · 28/04/2020 20:23

Had my kids. having DD (second) in particular has helped me feel whole again after the 3 I lost before her.

Neolara · 28/04/2020 20:23

Speculatively rang up Cambride uni to see if they had any vacancies on their teacher training course. Someone had withdrawn 2 hours before. I blagged an interview and got offered the place. 27 years later I'm still in Cambridge, married, kids and still involved in education.

AccidentallyRunToWindsor · 28/04/2020 20:24

Started running

AccidentallyRunToWindsor · 28/04/2020 20:25

Oh and travelling. Lockdown is making me feel very trapped

metronome1 · 28/04/2020 20:26

Got my degree. I did it a bit later than is usual, so I could have better earning potential and do something I love.

I actually underestimated how much it would charge me as a person. The people I met, the things I learnt and the stuff I have seen, have changed me from being quite highly strung, immature and suffering from mild mh issues to being strong, mature, independent, laid back and appreciative of life. Not actually sure if it changed me or if I just found out who I was and what I stood for. As cringe as that sounds its true.

Girlinterruption2020 · 28/04/2020 20:29

@Neolara like your style Wink

Although, of the great British universities, Hull, Cambridge & Oxford, I did similar with the other one.

LellyMcKelly · 28/04/2020 20:42

Getting a degree and two masters degrees. I was in a part time job after a move to a different city and looking after young kids when my ex and I broke up. As soon as they were in school I was able to get a well paid professional role.

This is probably the most important one: staying on good terms with my ex. In the early days it was really hard, but I was so driven (and to be fair, so was he) to be a good parent that we sucked up our differences for the sake of our kids. We spent Christmas together with our partners and children last year and it was great. It helped that he’s been entirely fair and financially generous, and we’re both happy now, which makes a big difference.

SuddenArborealStop · 28/04/2020 20:51

@littlepeas @Elephantonascooter can you expand on how yoga changed your lives I'm trying hard to stick to a new daily routine during isolation and could use motivation

peperethecat · 28/04/2020 20:53

Took a year out to do whatever I wanted when I was 24.

Did my master's degree.

waytheleaveswork · 28/04/2020 20:56

3 years of therapy - best money I have ever spent

maneandfeathers · 28/04/2020 21:04

Stopped worrying about what other people think.

I now have a job that pays less than those in my friendship groups or family and I have a small house but I am happy. My house is filled with the things that make me happy. I rescued a couple of cats and acquired some dogs much to the disgust of a lot of people but they make me smile every day. DS also loves them.

I also bought myself a horse and spend hours trotting around the countryside with no body to please but myself.

If I didn’t have them I would be a lot richer but I don’t care about money or nice things to put on social media particularly.

When I think of success I don’t think I am what people think of but I am pleased I’ve filled my life with the things I enjoy.

Girlinterruption2020 · 28/04/2020 21:15

@maneandfeathers

Sounds lovely

littlelionroars · 28/04/2020 21:16

Moved to the UK. Initially I was going to work in London for 6 months, travel Europe a bit and go back home.

I have been here 12 years. During that time I have made wonderful friends, met and married my DH, become a British Citizen, had a gorgeous DS, bought and renovated a beautiful home. And have been working for the same company for 7 years as I truly enjoy my job.

I just can't imagine what my life would be like if I had returned.

Giespeace · 28/04/2020 21:16

Quit my horrible job where I got abuse every day from customers and colleagues alike, which was draining every last scrap of energy, happiness and self worth out of me. It even stole my chance to be with my grandmother when she died. I can never fix that but I did fix my life.
I realised that money and working for such a prestigious brand were worth fuck all compared to what the job was costing me.
I’m currently seriously underemployed in terms of my qualifications but I’m so much happier and it suits me for now while I have my family (currently pregnant with DS2). I plan to sort the career out in a few years but for now it’s family first all the way.

LadyPips · 28/04/2020 21:19

Went backpacking alone at 24. Totally changed my outlook for the better.

Thingsthatgo · 28/04/2020 21:19

My Masters Degree. My BA didn’t go to plan, and it knocked my confidence. Doing an MA felt very self indulgent at the time, but it has helped me in all kinds of way, and it’s the best thing I’ve ever done.

MissOrganisedMe · 28/04/2020 21:51

@wrongsideofhistorymyarse
Paid for weekly therapy for over a year. It's changed my life.

I'm so going to do this!

Dragongirl10 · 28/04/2020 22:10

travelled around Australia at 19 for a year alone, with only £250 to start with.

Cured my crippling shyness, taught me how tough l could be, and how resourceful.

Mrskeats · 28/04/2020 22:12

Went to uni as a mature student
Divorced my first husband.
Had my 2 girls.

Savingshoes · 28/04/2020 22:25

Sticking to my guns. Having a plan and going for it, ignoring all the pessimists.
The career that I was told "you will give up before you're pass your training" and the constant suggestion I was failing everyone else because my dreams and plans didn't fit into their ideal, have helped me finance and enjoy independence like I knew it would.

longtompot · 28/04/2020 22:38

Gave up smoking after many years. Been almost as long a non smoker as I was a smoker.

Lolodizzyone · 28/04/2020 22:40

Changed job after doing the same one for 20 years and leaving an unsupportive, divisive and bullying office manager.
Went from part time to full time and absolutely love it! Doesn't feel like work, am valued and supported. Also get paid more and 2 weeks more annual leave.
It has transformed my life

Plurabellicose · 28/04/2020 22:41

Not believing my parents when they told me university ‘wasn’t for the likes of us’, applying all by myself with no school or home support with the process, applying for scholarships and getting them and then rewinning them as needed to finance four degrees.

There are other things I’m proud of, like writing my first novel when no one had the faintest interest in it, and going on to write a second while editors were turning the first down all over the shop, but my entire life stems from that first teenage refusal to let other people tell me what I was worth when absolutely no one had ever expressed any confidence in me.

Pinkarsedfly · 28/04/2020 22:56

Therapy
Leaving my first husband
Leaving full-time teaching in the state sector
Taking citalopram
Signing up for the writing course where I met my second husband