When Everything Changes...

[Flying_Monkey]

There are times in your life when everything changes at once, when things you have been waiting for or just hoping for happen suddenly one after another, and before you know it, you find yourself on the edge of what is almost a completely new life.

This is my situation right now. At the end of August, we will be leaving the UK and moving to Canada. I start a new job in a new university, finally doing exactly what I want to be doing. We are buying (for a price which probably wouldn't buy more than a garden shed here) a little house in a wonderful community on an island with an acre of land and a barn, which we are going to make carbon neutral, raise ducks or chickens, and grow most of our own food. And, as I mentioned in Cathryn's thread, my wife is pregnant when we had almost given up hope of it happening. Five or six years ago I didn't even know if I would be alive today let alone being about to start the life that I had always wanted.

This is all great for us. But I want to know your stories. When will / did your life change? What would be the transformation you would want?

 

[dellzeqq]

Well, getting run over and, upon regaining consciousness, deciding to go in to Architecture was a big one. Especially since it effectively ended my first marriage.

Even at the age of 54 I don't despair of it happening again. There's the real possibility of a move to New York.

The very best of luck, by the way. You're being a bit coy about the exact location, and, given the waywardness of CC tourists and their ability to eat cake, I don't blame you. But if it's off Vancouver somewhere I expect that you and yours will pass your days in blissful (if somewhat rainy) contemplation of nature's bounty.

(later edit) I've just seen - Ontario. Get knitting, matey. And I'll look through my wardrobe for any unwanted jumpers. And take something for the flies and mossies.

 

[Flying_Monkey]

You're being a bit coy about the exact location, and, given the waywardness of CC tourists and their ability to eat cake, I don't blame you. But if it's off Vancouver somewhere I expect that you and yours will pass your days in blissful (if somewhat rainy) contemplation of nature's bounty.

(later edit) I've just seen - Ontario. Get knitting, matey. And I'll look through my wardrobe for any unwanted jumpers. And take something for the flies and mossies.

I just can't say what the job is until the official announcement is made in August apparently! That's the only reason for being rather vague. But yes, it is Ontario.

 

[TheDoctor]

Well, getting run over...was a big one.

Even at the age of 54 I don't despair of it happening again.

Happy to oblige. Tell me where and when, and don't flinch when you see a green Hyundai. It'll only hurt for a minute!!!

What?

 

[andylaw79]

Very best of luck to you FM.

It's funny how things turn out sometimes. I often wonder what my life would be like if I hadn't made a conscious decision not to go to university after completing my A-levels, instead choosing to go back to college for another couple of years to complete a graphic design course then onto university to continue down that path. I know it only sounds like a small thing but at 18 to have a clear vision of what you want from life is quite uncommon and I have to admit that going to university a couple of years later made a hell of a difference. I had got everything out of my system and was really able to focus on something that I really wanted to do and loved / still love doing. And I'm still on course to owning my on design agency in 5 years time.

If I hadn't have made that decision I certainly wouldn't have met my wife and as a result not have a beautiful daughter who is a whole new chapter in our life.

 

[Fnaar]

Good luck FM, hope everything works out well! I only ever had one brief trip to Canada (work, 5 days, to Winnipeg then Vancouver)...
as for big changes in my own life, well, births, marriages, deaths, that sort of thing!

 

[Kirstie]

Good for you FM!

There's been times in my life very recently when almost everything has gone to shoot and fallen apart, ie the opposite of coming together all at once. In fact I don't think I've ever experienced the latter. I don't tend to have good luck like that.

So right now I'm content that no major elements of my life (marriage, health, finance, house, job) are in a state of severe crisis. They all were, all at the same time, within the last three years.

It's quite nice, actually. I still go through life expecting some crap to fall on my head though, and I wouldn't be surprised if it did! Still I could probably deal with it better than most...it's why i posted on another thread that I don't have dreams or ambitions. It's likely they'll be shattered. I just try to make the most of every opportunity and turn bad into good instead.

 

[Mr Pig]

Congratulations dude. I pray everything works out just as you hope and you have a great new life. It sounds fantastic :0)

 

[Yellow Fang]

Congratulations FM and good luck, especially about the baby. Canada could be the place to be.

 

[Shaun]

Congrats from me too.

So are you walking around all day with one of those stupid grins on your face - you know the one, where people look at you like you're a nutter because they just don't get how happy you are?

Good times ahead eh ... well done.

 

[tyred]

Congratulations and best of luck.

 

[Crackle]

Yes, well done, sometimes all the things you've worked for without seeing a real end, all chime together. That's a big change though be ready for some really wild emotional swings, wringing of hands, pulling of hair out moments, it'll take a few years to bring all those strands together into the vision you have now.

For myself smaller changes have made a more cumulative effect. I guess abandoning one career direction and going back to education and it was a long road, was my biggest change. I'm not sure I made the best decision but I took a road well travelled so I knew it would take me somewhere else, I just wasn't sure where when I started. I feel I'm back at a similiar crossroads now with the same unspoken challenge back in front of me.

 

[ChrisKH]

Best of luck FM. You might have to change your Rush aversion now you know..........

 

[Keith Oates]

Congratulations on the baby situation FM, and I hope all goes well in Canada. I've been there several times and enjoyed the visits but the winters are VERY cold!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Fnaar]

S'right... you can walk for miles (ish) round the centre of Winnipeg without needing to go outside.