Share the life changing moments you’ve had with Ariel - £300 voucher to be won! NOW CLOSED

[JustineBMumsnet]

Ariel have teamed up with Sainsbury’s to support team GB at the Paralympic games, where athletes will have the opportunity to have truly life changing moments, and in light of this, Ariel would like to hear about the life changing moments you’ve had.

Here’s what Ariel have to say: “We have always believed that clothes have the power to bring out our best when the moment matters, but what about when that moment has the potential to be life changing?”

So, share the moments in your life that you feel have been life-changing – whether they’ve changed your life path for the better or the worse.

All those who post below will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £300 Sainsbury's voucher.

Thanks, and good luck!

MNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs Apply

Well it's am obvious one but my most life changing moment so far was becoming a mum. I went from working full time to pretty much being a sahm apart from a few evenings work a week and I spend pretty much all my time looking after my little girl and watching her grow and develop. It's the best and the most rewarding thing but also pretty hard work! I've made lots of new friends and I do feel like my life has slowed pace a little so I enjoy the little things more and feel more relaxed and happy in myself than I ever did working full time. Not for everyone of course but I'm loving it .

One of my life changing moments was when my Nana, who I lived with and cared for died.
I knew we'd have to sell her house and clear it and help my family deal with all the funeral arrangements etc. Doing all of this whilst grieving and working seemed like too much.
I had to move out and move on and that was a good thing in the long run. Seemed like a nightmare at the time as she was one hell of a woman and I loved her dearly.

I kept one of her 'best' jumpers and refused to wash it. Not the best advert for washing powder, but I loved her smell (M&S perfume) - it lasted for a long time!

Apart from marriage and babies, a life changing moment for me was passing my driving test. It meant that I could work somewhere other than on a bus route, go out to places without relying on lifts, stay late, travel to other parts of the country, and be a truly independent woman.

It would have to be when DS1 was born. Definitely a big change in direction for my life :)

When I came out :) I felt so much happier and was finally able to be myself :)

The moment I fell off a horse and crushed my arm. The 6 years since then have been incredibly tough - it doesn't work, and I'm in constant pain. But I've done things I never thought I could do when I had two working arms - triathlon, open water swimming, running a marathon, so it changed my life for the worse, but not everything has been negative.

Going to college, opened my eyes to the world. I was previously quite ignorant and uninformed on a lot of things. The critical thinking skills I gained have been invaluable.

It has changed me in so many ways, I no longer feel the need to comply with the small town mentality. It also gave me a passion for knowledge.

Life changing?

When my father left my mother after forty years and broke her. The fragility and emptiness of a woman that was previously the strongest person I knew was astounding. Five years on she's still alive, but not the same. She'll never be the same.

Leaving my abusive relationship was life changing, I won't go into specifics but I am sure you imagine how free I feel now.

After a long period of homelessness, hostels, stress, all whilst trying to keep up working ft with an 18mo child life is now pretty nice aside from seeing the ex at handovers

Slightly random one here (obviously not the only one of my life!). I was badly bullied at school and had no self esteem. Fast forward a few years to uni and a nightclub. A had a little snog with a young lad who wanted me to go back to his. I said no and he tried to persuade me and I stuck with my no. He finished the conversation by saying what a lovely person I was and how much he respected me for not going back with him. Obviously he was still trying to change my mind, but it was a life changing moment. He was the first person to praise me and tell me I was lovely, pretty etc. I never saw him again and he never knew the effect his words had on me, even though there was an ulterior motive to them, but he made me realise that actually, I was ok and there were people out there who might actually like me.

Going to university - moving out of my narc mothers house and having complete freedom for the first time, I spent the whole 3 years on a high and it was the start of going NC which has made my life so much healthier

When I had my children..everything has changed since then, my sleeping pattern, my figure, my patience and so on.

Obviously having my children, but also getting my degree and teaching qualification. I love my job (apart from being an overworked political pawn sometimes), the money gives me more choices and freedom than I had before and I get the holidays with my kids.

Having kids.
Going to College.
Travelling

Passing my driving test
Getting my first job
Moving into my first home
Getting married
Having my children

My eldest son suffered a permanent life changing injury in an incident at his old primary school involving the class bully. We struggled to find a new school for him in the city we lived in (fraught with catchment issues for primaries anyway) and on a whim decided to move over 300 miles away to live by the sea. Best decision we ever made. My kids spend all their time outside: sailing, bodyboarding, dog walking, playing in the woods or on the beach. The stuff idyllic childhoods are made of.

Suddenly making the decision to get on a plane to meet up with the now DH after having met him on a night out by chance when he was in the UK. (Have always been a sensible, careful person, not like me at all).

Deciding to leave my University course in the third year. Most people thought I was mad at the time but it has worked out really well for me and I'm in a job I absolutely love!

Having dd1, to be suddenly responsible for this little baby, made me grow a lot, especially in patience as she was a screamy and didn't like sleep baby!

The biggest life changer definitely has to be having children! Especially the changes that come with having your first - it's your life but not as it's ever been before! The lack of sleep, the huge responsibility, the changes in your body / skin / hair, relationship dynamics, your social life, how you see yourself / others / life!
Has made me a better person and I love it!

Getting the diagnosis of a chromosomal disorder for my first DD after she had been born 7 weeks prematurely, was still in SCBU & still wasn't able to feed without a feeding tube. However kind & sensitive the consultant was, it was news that I just wasn't prepared for & is a moment I will never forget...

Becoming an aunt to 5 lovely DNs.

Losing my eldest daughter.

That would have to be when my mum left my father. It was a cheering, let's stand up for women and children, strong moment. It has shaped me and is an inspiring moment.

I have several life-changing moments. Becoming a mum was a highlight, getting married, passing my driving test, passing my exams but another life-changing moment was when my dear friend lost her fight against cancer aged 40. I couldn't believe that life could be that cruel but the way she showed courage, determination and acceptance of the situation was truly humbling and has changed the way I look at life now. It reminded me of the fragility of life and that and that each moment matters.