Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
Ihaventgottimeforthis · 29/04/2020 12:30

Travelling and studies.
Taking up team sports - rugby & rowing in particular.
Taking a leap of faith and moving back to Cornwall.

aufaitaccompli · 29/04/2020 12:58

Great thread!

Left my emotionally and financially abusive exDH. My self belief has SOARED. Changed career after a lot of disruption, mental illness and having my children.

I've had therapy, studied for no extrinsic reward however the intrinsic effects have been fabulous.

I have tried online dating, taken mini breaks on my own, kept a roof over our heads during several years of temporary & unpredictable employment. All by myself.

I have forgiven myself for my mistakes, I know what I need to work on and am so grateful for everything that I have gone through because it's made me who I am today and I like me

Small matter of several stones to lose but it's coming. Kids are settled, wonderful people and I am happy and at peace

Utterly priceless.

NiceLegsShameAboutTheFace · 29/04/2020 12:59

Told a complete stranger how much I admired their work. They were chuffed, and introduced me to a whole new world. From that I created an entirely new career, met all of those who are now my best friends, and the man who is now my DP.

It was VERY out of character for me to message someone like that, but I am so glad that I did. He's one of the best people I've ever met, and completely changed the course of my life. Quite what would have happened to me without his friendship I'll never know. But all that I have now, I owe entirely to sending him a message when I was a bit pissed, and so was he. DP adores him utterly too.

@sadeyedladyofthelowlandsea I find this really inspiring. My 'thing' was only small but, in a similar way to you, it opened up doors all over the place.

I'm a big fan of 'putting yourself out of the comfort zone'. I'm so glad that you did it and that it paid dividends Smile

NiceLegsShameAboutTheFace · 29/04/2020 13:01

Yes, it's the best thread around right now Smile

redwoodmazza · 29/04/2020 13:10

I can't think of anything... Sad

walksonthebeach · 29/04/2020 13:58

Oh, I'm going to learn to touch type during this lock down now. Great thread 👍

ScapaFlo · 29/04/2020 14:03

Married DH. Definitely worth waiting for. My life is unrecognisable 10 years on, I even doubled my income because he believed in me (and paid for training)

gotthearse · 30/04/2020 21:30

Moved out of a shitty damp bedsit with abusive ex to go to Uni

Properly leaving him a year later to be with DH who is my rock

Walking out of a job whee I was being bullied, which led to my current career

Getting married & having kids

Putting myself out there in scary professional situations, working through it and it all paying off, got the role I'd had my eye on for a long time and some fabulous experiences (court work, giving evidence to commons committees). There were times when I had to be selfish time wise for it to happen.

Therapy to sort out shitty childhood experiences and the impact it had how I'm wired. Still working on that.

Always buying good face cream.

sadeyedladyofthelowlandsea · 01/05/2020 01:38

@NiceLegsShameAboutTheFace Every now & again, this friend and I say 'god, that was weird! It was SO unlike you!' But I just loved what he created and felt I had to say so. If he'd never replied, I wouldn't have been hurt or taken offence, just thought I was one of his fan club.

But we just clicked, instantly. I took a running jump, and for once didn't land on my face Grin I can't tell you how much confidence that gave me to be a bit more me.

FourDecades · 01/05/2020 01:54

Got divorced. I know that sounds like a cliche but it's true.

Long marriage, 2DS. He left for OW. Don't blame him really as our marriage had been dead for years.

But... l found "me" again. My mum said XH had suppressed me so much as he was so overbearing and run me down.

I was constantly on eggshells around him and anxious all the time... l now feel so much more at peace with myself.

I go out now with friends as l actually have time without the DS EOW, previously l had them 24/7.

I'm still learning to adapt to not being "responsible" for him and wanting to fix his debt like l did when we were married, but I'm hoping that will come in time.

He made me the happiest woman alive when we got married and he made me equally as happy when he left.

LordBuckley · 01/05/2020 02:05

Emigrated (to Italy).

ThisIsMyStory1 · 01/05/2020 02:25

Pushed for my job to go in the direction I wanted it to go, I'm now very highly thought of, in demand and love what I do.

Also, rescued a dog. She is my best friend and she comes everywhere with me, on really hard days she's there to just snuggle and be with. She's also incredible with the DC and is keeping them entertained during lockdown

Soon2BeMumof3 · 01/05/2020 02:26

Tertiary education. 💯

Yelllow · 01/05/2020 02:29

I embraced the saying "you can have it all, but not all at once" and quit my job to be a SAHM to my 3 kids. No regrets! And I'm also taking this opportunity to do my MA part time so I will be able to go back to work when the time is right. I'm such a happier & more patient parent and person overall now.

LouiseCollina · 01/05/2020 03:10

Leaving my emotionally abusive ex was without doubt the best thing I've done for myself in many, many years. Obviously it was a great thing for the sake of itself, but also because it freed me to take advantage of all sorts of opportunities that miraculously began opening up to me almost immediately once he was gone out of my life. Ten years on I'm earning about six or seven times more money, have travelled more than I ever would have imagined, and have an entirely new and great circle of friends. The thoughts of where my life would be if I hadn't done that, well, it doesn't bear thinking about really. The moral of the story is, if you've got a millstone around your neck, get rid of it!

BigFatGoalie · 01/05/2020 04:50

Leaving the U.K. and emigrating to Australia.

My DC (3 and 8) are growing up without pressure or stress (private school in the uk, start 8am, home at 6pm). They scoot to school, play in the street with the neighbours’ children, spend most afternoons on the beach. We live in a massive house with a pool for the same price as our small 3 bed in South East England. Life is good!

I will always miss the uk, and settling in and starting over is hard. But people here are so helpful and incredibly friendly.

We have made the best move emotionally and financially for our family. Excited to see how life plays out. Smile

Mintjulia · 01/05/2020 05:26

Left home at 18 to study. Had ds

debrasmith · 01/05/2020 05:34

Became emo

All the best, Debra xx

NegativeNellyy · 01/05/2020 05:45

@Microwaveableteapot is it Roller Derby? All my friends from
There are fucking awesome :)

Postcardfeaturing · 01/05/2020 05:48

Weight training with a PT at the gym, changed my body shape, toned up, gained enormous confidence & made me look so much younger than my 55 years. Gives you muscle memory so even a lapse in training is ok.

Pannsies · 01/05/2020 06:24

Went on that second date - we've now been together 15 years.

Lived with my parents for three years after uni to save money instead of renting with friends. It enabled me to buy a house at 24 when house prices were low, and has given me financial stability.

Restarted a hobby I love in my 20s, which has brought me so much happiness.

PurpleFlower1983 · 01/05/2020 06:25

Left my abusive ex.

It led to my lovely husband and DD.

Bubbletrouble43 · 01/05/2020 07:17

Kicked out dd1s dad, or rather, changed the locks when he went on another all weekend drinking bender. She was 1, I was worried life would be so terrible but it wasn't, after adjusting and sorting myself financially , it quickly became very fabulous indeed.

Kahlua4me · 01/05/2020 07:26

Going to Australia for a year on a working visa on my own. I was 23 and in a job that I loved when a friend suggested it. My colleagues said that I would never go so I handed in my notice and went!

Definitely a life changing experience. I had a great time, met some amazing people, learnt lots to develop my career and gave me incredible self confidence and contentment that I may not have ever got if I had stayed home.

Home42 · 01/05/2020 07:28

Got divorced. After 14 years of doing what he wanted I can now do whatever I want. Bliss!