Happy ending

haydonwynter

Hi all,

I made a post on these forums about 4 years ago.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2596517

At the time I was long term unemployed, surrounded by crime and life was going nowhere fast. However, true to my word, I went to university and studied criminal justice and criminology.

A year on, I was still miserable, I wondered why? I was doing something positive and life did not really change. Apparently, I was depressed and unwell, but the truth was I was just surrounded by apathy and negative a*******s :P

I think I spent a lot of time listening to naysayers who told me I couldn't, shouldn't, mustn't. When I started my degree I was told I would not finish it, that I would quit. As my study progressed and I entered my second year, I was told there are no jobs, you won't be able to do anything with it and all the usual crap people say to try and keep you in your place. The truth is I got a lot of motivation from the people who told me I can't and it became a goal to prove them wrong.

The end of year 2 (May 2012) approached and my wife and I had a conversation about the future and what it looked like. The dream was to move away and get a job, be in a beautiful place on the coast where our children are safe to play. Sounds ideal! That was the plan, but why did it have to be in the future? No reason to wait, I was unemployed, the worst that could happen in my eyes was that we would end up in the same situation in a nicer place :P

I spoke to my tutor about completing my last year as a long distance student and he supported this. Believe it or not by August 2012 with a lot of determination we moved to the southwest coast.

I continued to study, but since I was jobless, I thought it best that I volunteer. I did this for 2 national charities for 9 months straight. I treated it like a full time job, I was there from 9 to 5 everyday without fail. I earned myself a positive reputation and I gained full time employment with them in June 2013 as a criminal justice worker and things are going great.

I posted this because I was out with my wife and children yesterday by the sea having dinner. The place is beautiful, it makes me think about all the things that we've been told we couldn't/wouldn't/shouldn't do and I am just thankful we had the confidence to ignore the negativity and improve our lives. After 2 years, I still feel motivated, charged, my attitude is always positive and I'm happy.

Change is possible if you are willing to take responsibility for it.
Never give up.

Takeaway_Addict

Good to hear.

iclayt

This has really cheered me up. Things can and do work out right sometimes!

I'm on the verge of quitting my job to move in with my partner who lives 3 hours away (work forced a location move), and we've spent the past 18 months traveling back and forth at weekends, never any money to do anything because we rent separately and spend so much on petrol and train fares to see each other. I've been trying to get a job there for ages and it's proving difficult as there aren't many jobs going in my field there. This last week we have decided ENOUGH - I'm handing my notice in here and moving there in August, job or no job. What we miss in having two incomes will be made up by the fact we're living together again (we hope!), and we'll cross the bridge of what happens next when we come to it. I will try to get a job and at least volunteer - and become an expert on thrift and frugality around the home in my new role as housewife in the meantime

haydonwynter

I'm happy you have decided to go for it . Try not to put too much pressure on yourself when you first get there and enjoy it.

My attitude has always been it's a marathon not a sprint It can be scary at first, but as long as you stay confident, positive and motivated I am sure you will be fine. :beer: Good luck to you!

aggypanthus

Good luck to you both in your new lives. Positive stories.

McKneff

Good for you.


Amazing what you can do if you set your mind to it.


Good luck to you and yours.

lollipopsarah

Nice one, good for you all.
Onwards and upwards and well deserved.
xx

FBaby

Very inspiring post that shows that ultimately, success (in whatever one wants to achieve) comes from a mix of determination (sometimes even stubborness), stamina and being prepared to work hard, and positivism.

Those are the values I am teaching my kids in the hope that whatever happens to them, they will always be ok. What does amazes me is that you manage to find these within yourself despite your upbringing. Nature or nurture? Clearly you were always very clever.

chanie

What a lovely story. I'm pleased to hear your hard work and dedication has paid off.

xoAmyox

Thank you for posting this, in a world of difficulties it is great to see that there are those with the spirit in them to make the best of it!

STAGEY

Fantastic!