What accomplishments have made you feel empowered?

[Mumtumwhatever]

I'm separated and single and although I do consider myself quite independent, I get a little thrill when I accomplish something around the house on my own. No I'm not solo hiking cross-country like Reese Witherspoon in Wild but here's what gave me a boost recently:

• I have assembled 3 pieces of flat pack furniture. Yes it took me days but it's done
• I somehow messed up my Sonos music system but then I fixed it again (ok not fully but at least it's playing music again)
• I got my wifi printer to work after sitting dormant for 8 months
• I have faced up to my fear of spiders so I don't pass that fear onto my children

On a bigger scale we can get into having the courage to leave bad relationships, doing what's best for our children etc but sometimes it's the daily battles that can make your day.

So what small battles have you won that made you feel proud (however small)?

Redecorating my bedroom after separating from an ex. Choosing exactly what I wanted with no reference to anybody else.

A big one for me - I got my pilot's license.

My EAexH told me I was stupid, uncoordinated, unattractive, not a good person, and all around worthless.

I never EVER imagined I would be able to fly a plane, with friends and family as passengers, never mind do aerobatics. It showed me that I do have worth, that I am smart. And I now have great friends, a great life and I get out and grab the world with both hands. Not only that but a very good friend likes me so much that they saw my potential and pushed me forward and assisted me to do it.

I studied for a BA Honours degree.

I took up running. If you saw me you would say, really, running? Are you sure? Well, This Girl Can! I only 'race' against myself, and the accomplishment is ALL MINE!

I started my own business after a lifetime of being a housewife.

I came out of my shell a bit and Im now very confident.

And at times like now when I have a very scary potentially serious health problem hanging over me that I have the strength to see it through without a husband by my side. That for me has been a biggie. My inner strength, even though Im scared.

I left my ea and bully husband nearly two years ago, now on my own with dcs and enjoying myself, so far I have managed to -
Made our new house a home for me and dcs - with all their and my tastes
Started and nearly completed a college course
Set up my own internet connection with Sky
Pay my own council tax bill
Actually manage to look after dcs each and every day, giving them all they need - on my own:)
Sounds silly, but I am rather chuffed with myself:)

Standing up again after losing my husband.

oh and hanging a large mirror

My H had a long infatuation with a mutual friend, a (shit) singer/songwriter. On discovering this I reminded myself that I'm quite a talented artist and it's high time I went back to it. I've produced the best work of my life after an 18 yr hiatus so thanks for that H.

Well done Mumtumwhatever - what part of your Sonos is not working?

Not exacly an accoomplishment but i hired a solicitor to deal with a landlord from hell. Every time i think about her reaction i smile.

I have namechanged as this may out me.

I contacted the head of a creative writing MA to express an interest in the course and find out more. I attached a writing sample. I hadn't studied creative writing before; I got a terse reply saying this was "not a beginner's course".

A decade later I took great pleasure in visiting his university to discuss my career as an award-winning writer.

I LEFT THE WANKER

laid a patio including moving heavy slabs and built a play house on it. It's not the neatest, but the kids love it!
decorated my entire council house including hiring a scary big sander and sanding the floors, all done after work in the evenings,
bringing up 2 brilliant children,
got a job after being a SAHM
got promoted at work
started an OU degree
finished professional qualifications

LEFT THE WANKER - that needs saying more than once :-)

What a fab idea for a thread!

I have just submitted a 20,000 word MA dissertation. I am in the process of moving, alone, to a different city. I worked out why my car stereo wasn't working and fixed it. I have built female friendships closer and more supportive than I thought possible.

I'm determined to take on flat pack furniture! I do reluctantly deal with spiders, bit late not to pass the fear on though (sorry dd )

Well done to everyone! It's amazing what you can achieve when you have to just get on with things! I really am not bothered about ever living with a man ever again.

I left my EA ExH in November after 23yrs.

Flat pack furniture/paying bulls/changing lightbulbs etc, yes I do it now but I always bloody did it anyway!!!

However, in the winter putting screen wash in my car was a first!! I also hung pictures on my wall - OK with double sided tape & my brother told me there not completely straight - but they've stayed up and I did it!!

I do have a lovely helpful landlord, so mirrors are still beyond me!!

You're all fabulous.

I have run races, made loads of friends, stayed out all night, travelled to impossibly exotic places, shifted furniture, hung paintings, raised a puppy, dealt with grown-up things like lawyers and bailiffs and a house sale, applied useful sentences like "No" and "That won't work for me", and am now taking a career break to get a degree in something I'd really like to do as an independent.

I am in my second year of teaching and I have just (on the bus back to school) sent my year 11's English coursework off. I work in a school for boys with social, emotional and mental heath difficulties and getting the three pieces of coursework done by all 12 students without a SINGLE act of violence and/or despair has been an incredibly delicate, taxing and relentless affair but now it is done! (just the exam to get them through on tuesday!)

(I am, of course, bursting with pride for them too!!)

Raising a beautiful clever well mannerd little girl.

Getting on top of my anxiety most of the time and going out to work, knowing everything I own and dd needs is paid for by me. Sounds silly but I've struggled for years with anxiety.

I always feel proud when I receive bank statements for dds savings account . It feels good saving for her future.

I'm loving all of these stories! How inspiring! Big things and the small ones.

DrMorbuis I cannot play any song before (like from Spotify Premium), I can only play music from my iPhone or digital radio. Not sure if it is because my free Spotify Premium account expired. Not sure where Sonos gets "it's" music from.?!?

There were quite a few times in a manager position at work where I suddenly thought "Wow, I handled that really well. Aren't I supposed to be the neurotic, withdrawn, anti-social one who can't deal with conflict?"

First time putting a flat pack together, I felt pretty awesome. Although the handles were a bit wonky

Launching a software product that I developed myself and earning £2.5k in one week with it :)

I took great pleasure in building flat pack furniture after the breakdown of a lt relationship ten years ago.

Now having left my abusive h, I'm proud of just doing that, and proud of how dd has managed. I'm proud of managing each day from 6am to 10pm all by myself and getting everything done by myself. I'm proud of getting a non mol order all by myself with no legal representation, possibly the most terrifying thing I have ever done was sitting in that court.

And, I've unblocked a toilet. The sort of thing that I would have been yelled at about , and I kid you not ,reminded how to fold the toilet paper (don;t scrunch) so it doesn't block the toilet. I learnt that you can google any task and follow simple instructions. Everything is possible with a list of instructions!

Last year I took dd abroad on my own. This year we're doing an easy single parent holiday. Next year I'm thinking of trying camp bestival for a bit of a "out of my comfort zone" adventure :-)

Mumtumwhatever - Yes it is most probably your trial account has expired. Sonos gets its music from either a streaming service such as your Spotify etc or from a wireless/wired source such as your iPod. Except radio stations of course.

You can go to your + Add Music Services (on your Sonons control) and try another provider for free (like Napster). If the money is OK, it is worth joining a Premium service like Spotify (I believe students get it half price) as you can download the music to offline devices like your iPod. No need to ever buy music again even for your i(devices).

I'm a Managing Director of my own limited company. This is my 4th year trading. Its early in my financial year but I have a feeling this might be the year I turn a profit.
This is a girl who left school with 3 GCSEs and never got promoted in my 10 years in media sales. It wasn't ability more my lack of confidence. Now I am running a small business and my turnover has gone from 6k to 48k. This year its set to do even better!

willthis I neglected to mention my EA ex told me I would amount to nothing too! Your holidays sound fantastic!