Six years ago today, COVID changed my life....what other moments radically changed your life?

[threeonesix]

Way, way, way too many life-changing moments to count for me, even using all 10 fingers and 10 toes. 9/11 and COVID, obviously, probably true for everyone on Earth. In high school I lost a lot of friends, mainly to car accidents but also a couple of suicides. At one point I threw caution to the wind, moved 500 miles from home with just my clothes and a few hundred dollars in my pocket. Didn't know a single person in my new home and had no job. Within a few months I had a great job, many new friends and an awesome, much older GF (me 23, her 30). We were great for each other, but we drifted apart when she decided she wanted kids and I didn't. A year later I was in college. Graduated in 4 years with honors. Now 25 years later I own a beautiful house, have an excellent, high-paying job and a sweet RV I use to work from wherever I want. Life is good, the future is bright and I have plenty of money. Could be better, but good will do, for now.

 

[Allytx]

The evening in 1982, when my first husband packed a suitcase to leave with his secretary. I was a stay at home mom with a 1 and 4 yr old, because he made a very good salary. He immediately got a divorce under our new no fault divorce laws. He rarely paid child support, so it was a tough few years. It was really hard emotionally and financially to climb out of that situation.

 

[steakis4closers]

Mine was Covid related as well! Was hospitalized due to Covid, and during a CT of lungs, they found a mass on my Pancreas. Early detection, pancreatectomy/Splenectomy and bi-annual scans sine show no recurrence! Life changed!

Flieger

Best thing that ever happened to you COVID was lol

 

[Hyper]

When I realized there is a disconnect between academic credentials and actual intelligence.

1000000000000000% agree and that disconnect is MASSIVE in today's world!!!!!!!

 

[Gary Smith]

The moment that radically changed my life is still out there. And I know precisely what it will be. It will be the day that I can no longer hike/run - something that has enhanced my life since the late 1970s.

 

[lazydays]

Mine was getting laid off out of nowhere - felt awful then, but honestly pushed me into a way better path. Funny how the “worst” days end up redirecting things.

 

[PhrugalPhan]

Mine was getting laid off out of nowhere - felt awful then, but honestly pushed me into a way better path. Funny how the “worst” days end up redirecting things.

I was trying to come up with something that wasn't a cliche response, and this one struck a nerve with me. Getting laid off 24 years ago forced me to look at the direction of my life. I changed alot in my life after that including getting a job with a pension that I'm now enjoying in retirement.

A co-worker told me that others that were laid off previously usually did much better for themselves after leaving the company and I would be the same. I didn't believe her, but turned out she was right.

 

[RunningBum]

February 2001. I had recently moved to Austin TX and joined a running club, mostly to meet people in a new city. I helped out at the finish line of the Austin Marathon and seeing runners of all shapes and sizes finishing the race, most of them in great spirits, encouraged me to run one.

Not only did I finish the Marine Corps Marathon in DC that fall, but I proceeded to run 63 more marathons or longer. I lost weight in the process, got a lot healthier, and socially it led to many friendships and romance.

Unfortunately some health issues have my sidelined, my weight is way up, and my romance with the woman I thought was the one did not last. I need a jump start again.

 

[CO-guy]

Mine was getting laid off out of nowhere - felt awful then, but honestly pushed me into a way better path. Funny how the “worst” days end up redirecting things.

I had a similar experience the day I didn't receive a promised promotion at my 'dumpster fire' of a former employer. Somehow my brain immediately told me it was a good thing. It was easy to say, "no problem," before getting up and walking out of the meeting. The next day I created an LLC and my consulting business took off from there.

This past fall, the current CEO of 'Dumpster Fire Inc." approached me about my consulting business at a community cookout (small town) and said he could use someone with my skills on his team. My response was, "You're right, but you can't afford me."

 

[griffithee]

February 2001. I had recently moved to Austin TX and joined a running club, mostly to meet people in a new city. I helped out at the finish line of the Austin Marathon and seeing runners of all shapes and sizes finishing the race, most of them in great spirits, encouraged me to run one.

Not only did I finish the Marine Corps Marathon in DC that fall, but I proceeded to run 63 more marathons or longer. I lost weight in the process, got a lot healthier, and socially it led to many friendships and romance.

Unfortunately some health issues have my sidelined, my weight is way up, and my romance with the woman I thought was the one did not last. I need a jump start again.

Mad respect for this. I ran the Budapest marathon in 2007. Told myself I would never do another one. Then my amazing DW decided she wanted to run the Honolulu marathon for her 50TH. So I ran it with her. Never again. Famous last words.

 

[flyoverstate]

The moment that radically changed my life is still out there. And I know precisely what it will be. It will be the day that I can no longer hike/run - something that has enhanced my life since the late 1970s.

That is when you get an ebike.

 

[Original Wally]

Let's see....
07/21/1973 - Got Married
09/25/1976 - DD "Polly"was born
05/6-8/1981 - Took and passed the CPA exam
09/07/2009 - Last day in the office. Can't TELL YOU how it felt to split. Giddy!