40 People Who Trusted Their Instincts And Ended Up Living Their Best Lives

Taking a risk is rarely easy, but sometimes one brave decision is all it takes to completely change a life. Whether it is quitting a stable job, moving to a new place, or trusting a gut feeling, these moments of courage often lead to unexpected rewards. In this collection, you will see how people took a leap of faith, stepped into the unknown, and ended up transforming their lives for the better.

#1 I Always Wanted To Buy These Colorful Balloons, But My Parents Refused. Today, On My 30th Birthday, I Bought One For Myself

Image source: Fun_evades_me

#2 I Got Disowned By An Entire Branch Of My Family For Wearing Makeup, And After A Week Of Crying And Self Doubt, I’m Kinda Over It

Image source: Faris-Hilton

#3 From Homeless And Unemployed (26) To A Surgical Assistant (40)

Image source: Man-Tax

I was roaming the streets and eating scraps for years. Couldn’t find a job no matter how hard I tried, and not having any skills in life or family (I was raised in foster care) surely didn’t help.

One day, while looking for a restroom to relieve myself, I stumbled across a college that just so happened to have an open house enrollment going on, and figured that was the perfect excuse to enter the building and freeload off their toilets. Little did I know, however, that the universe had other plans for me. A guidance counselor had approached me and asked if I was here for open house. Being embarrassed to admit my true intentions, I told him I was and ended up joining him as he regaled the countless opportunities presented before me.

I was intrigued by their surgical technology program and decided to give it a shot. Needless to say, I had finally found my passion in life. Went to school for 18 months, plus an additional 4 months of internships, all while homeless. Upon graduation, I was offered a permanent job at the hospital I interned at, and after 4 years, I had enough cases to take the CSFA exam.

I have been a surgical assistant since, and I remind myself every day just how fortunate my life turned out. Now that I’m an old man, I feel I have enough experience to encourage others that it’s never too late in life to strive for better. You just have to have patience, persistence, and passion.

#4 My Art Got Stolen By 1000s Of Online Shops So I Sued Them And Bought An Apartment With The Money

Image source: jojoesart

6 years ago my art was stolen by 1000s of online shops. They printed my art on all kinds of products and sold them everywhere around the world. They made millions from it. I even saw people wearing my art on the street and saw it at markets and souvenir shops on vacation.

I tried to fight the theft by myself but gave up because it became too overwhelming. For every counterfeit item I got to remove, ten new ones popped up.

Then 2 yrs ago I started working with a law firm. 16 lawyers took down over 2000 shops to this date & recovered funds. They said it was the biggest case of art theft they have ever had to deal with and they’re still working on it!

After almost giving up and at some point even wanting to quit art, I just bought my own apartment with the money my lawyers recovered so far!

Artists: never give up fighting for your rights! You’re worth it!

#5 I Recently Lost 170 Pounds. Took Me Two In A Half Years

Image source: ItsGamerPops

Heart disease runs in my family. My father had a heart attack when I was fourteen. I have two little girls and don’t want to leave them early as my father did. After the birth of my second daughter, I knew something had to be done.

#6 After Years Of Depression, Today I Started My Day With A Beach Walk

Image source: ChilliHat

I think today I realised I’m not as depressed as I have been, but I’ve been locked into the depressed routine for so long. Especially through COVID. I live 5 minutes from here, and the only thing stopping me from enjoying it is me.

I cried after I took this picture. I thought it was lame that I was so proud of feeling happy that I had to share it. A glimpse of what happiness is like.

#7 Today I Taught Myself To Lay Laminate Flooring. It’s Not Much, But I Wasn’t Taught How To Do Stuff Because I’m A Girl

Image source: Fluffy-Designer

My family didn’t think it was important for me to learn life skills other than cooking and cleaning because I wasn’t the boy they wanted. I bought a fixer-upper house, and I’m slowly making it my own… one new skill at a time.
I don’t speak to them anymore.

#8 In The First Picture, I Thought About Giving Up, Because I Didn’t Receive Any Visitors, But Today I’m Managing To Live From My Dream Of Being An Illustrator

Image source: DanielCazadio

I thought about giving up, but today I’m managing to live from my dream of being an illustrator.

#9 After More Than 4.5 Years Of Losing Hair And Feeling Insecure And Self-Conscious About It, I (22m) Finally Decided To Let It Go

Image source: OkConsideration8425

#10 Dad Sent Me This Yesterday

Image source: keshava7

My dad has been really busy with work for the last 35 years. He worked in a company for 25 years and was never really happy. He has never had time to follow his passion for painting. He told me his dream was to master watercolor painting. He sent me this yesterday.

#11 Today’s My Birthday. My First One In My New Apartment After 3 Years Of Being Homeless, Depressed And Heartbroken

Image source: Blond3Neet

It’s quiet and a little lonely but peaceful and i want to think i finally deserve some peace. I don’t have anyone to share it with,hope it’s ok here.

#12 I’m 16, Over 300lbs, And Just Went On My First Walk In Over A Year

Image source: Syk11k

#13 Spent My Entire Life In A Church That Brainwashed Me Into Following Their Dogma

Image source: TheOmnipotentPilot

I wasted my time “working” for them when I should have been getting an education. I am happy to announce that I finally got the guts to leave, moved across the country, and at 22 years old, I’m going back to University.

#14 After Having A Massive Panic Attack On My First Exposure Therapy On The London Underground To Overcome Panic Disorder And Agoraphobia

Image source: anxiety_fitness

I tried again and this time it was a SUCCESS!

#15 18 Months Ago, I Decided To Stop Drinking And Get My Mental Health In Order

Image source: willows_closet

Last week, my girlfriend broke up with me. Instead of spiraling and drowning myself in alcohol, I spent my free time this week making this box and a bunch of cool pendants to fill it with. Still 18 months sober.

#16 18 Months Today Since I Made The Decision To Cancel My Nose Job And Never Look Back

Image source: Probablyinthegym

It has officially been 18 months since I decided to cancel my nose job and lose a lot of money. It has been my biggest insecurity my whole life and I planned my rhinoplasty for 5 years.

As the date approached I realised the nose job would never actually make me happy because my issue wasn’t about my external appearance at all – it was much deeper and something cosmetic surgery wouldn’t fix.

Anyway, I am finally starting to love my nose and how it makes me unique. Getting a nose job was the best thing I never did.

#17 Well Done

Image source: GodwinAsediba

#18 I’m No Longer Taking The Approved Alopecia Medicines Due To Harsh Side Effects. I’ve Decided To Fully Embrace The Fact That I’ll Be A Patchy-Headed Princess And I’m Ok With That

Image source: KohanaCat

#19 A Year Ago Today, I Moved To The Other Side Of The World, Without Knowing A Word Of Any Foreign Language. Today, I Passed A German Exam, Permitting Me To Study At University

Image source: reddit.com

#20 After Years Of Tooth Pain And Hiding My Smile, I Got Dentures! They Literally Made Me Smile

Image source: VernalPathOG

#21 My 72-Year-Old Dad Graduated College With Honors Last Weekend (A.S. Environmental Horticulture And Design)

Image source: CamaroNoir

#22 I Recently Opened A Small Bakery After A Couple Of Years Of Baking Out Of The House. I’m A Proud Papa

Image source: CarbsCarbsCarbsCarbs

#23 Grandpa Is Still Living His Best Life Napping In Random Places Around The Farm

Image source: mckenziebrelyn

#24 Graduated With A First Class, And I’m So Proud Of Myself. I Didn’t Just Survive A Nigerian University — I Thrived

Image source: mxochai

B. Sc. Cybersecurity (First Class Honours). Excited for what’s to come next!

#25 Love This

Image source: kylegriffin1

#26 I Left The House Today

Image source: spookybitchchlorine

Today was the first day in many, many months that I’ve actually put effort into an outfit, tied my shoes, or properly gotten ready to leave the house. I have extremely severe depression and anxiety, so it’s very hard for me to do these. I never leave the house. I left the house today.

#27 One Year Alcohol Free (31)

Image source: Beautiful_views_8272

One year alcohol free and never felt better! Far less anxiety, better self-esteem and mood, less tummy issues, better skin, more energy, and improved relationships. Couldn’t ask for more.

#28 A Child’s Dream Come True

Image source: areebasiddique

#29 My Grandmother Graduated At 88

Image source: Irlima

This is my grandmother, Joan Alexander. She was denied the opportunity to graduate from the University of Maine in the 1950’s. She had done all the coursework, but was forbidden from student teaching because she was pregnant. This year, my aunt (her daughter) reached out to the university. They agreed subsequent life experiences counted for the student teaching, and she graduated in May!

#30 After 6 Years Of Being Bullied. I Finally Passed Primary School And I’m Moving On With My Life, Without The People That Tried To Ruin Me

Image source: Hurry-Bubbly

I feel happy like never before. Highschool, here i come!

#31 Decided To Spend Christmas Alone At The Cabin. Best Decision Ever! Think I’m Gonna Stay Over New Years Aswell

Image source: mariiusmartinsen

#32 At 16, My Guidance Counselor Told Me I Wasn’t Good Enough At Math To Go Into The Space Field. Just Received My Undergrad Diploma In Applied Mathematics

Image source: ThePetrafier

I started working on my master’s in space sciences and engineering. Follow your gut and do the thing.

#33 Been In A Rut This Week With My Anxiety, Decided To Let It Out And Paint It Away

Image source: MEKYAS23

#34 Finally Published The Book I Started Writing In The Psych Ward, 3 Years Later

Image source: chloe_creating

#35 After Almost 7 Years Of Growing, I Donated 22inches Of Hair To Charity

Image source: Jambohh

Growing my hair since 2018, sorry about the B&W filter, bit self conscious about having acne in my mid 30s.

#36 I Suffer From Severe Depression. Traveled More Than 6000 Miles (9800 Km) For A Solo Vacation To L.A. I Have Never Been This Happy In Years

Image source: Junper

1) I said I have depression, not because I wanted to get attention or something like that. I said it so everyone could understand why I was happy.
2) Yes, I have severe depression. Psychiatrists are not supposed to say how bad your depression is. It was my clinical doctor who (by mistake) said it when I told him how much of the antidepressant I was taking (I’m taking the maximum safe dose). I don’t actually like to talk about the specifics.
3) I’m following a treatment that is not working as intended. Just before my trip, my levels of a specific hormone were a bit off, so my doctor said that we’re going to try a few things to see if I can get better when I get back.
4) I hate this. I hate that I can’t have a normal life because of this. Making this trip was easy because I actually like to be alone, so escaping from everyone felt great. Yet, I still have my ups and downs. I tried to get out of bed early every day, and I still couldn’t manage to do so. But I try to enjoy most of the day when I’m out. It’s horrible to try your best and yet some days you can’t get out of bed, hating yourself because of it. Trying so hard to do it, but you just can’t, like an invisible force is not letting you move.
5) I know that my depression is still here with me. And yes, maybe when I get back to my place it’ll be hard, but thankfully I have a doctor, family, and friends who are going to help me out.

#37 I Won The Best In Landscape Award At My Local Juried Exhibit Today. I’m Just So Happy That My Unseen Moments Of Trying, Trying, And Trying Have Paid Off

Image source: renhernandez_art

#38 Finally Have A Place To Live After Living Out Of My Car For All Of November

Image source: FruitCatNames

#39 Starting A Garden Was One Of The Best Decisions We Have Ever Made

Image source: ProlificFamilyStead

#40 Going Grey Was The Best Decision I Ever Made. I Am 37, Been Going Grey Since I Was 14

Image source: downthegrapevine