10 people share where following their gut feelings and living with no regret led them

Taking Risks Is Necessary

Stability is attractive, but there is a unique allure associated with following one's heart that just makes the risks worth it. Everyone is destined to get one life and therefore, people want to explore as many avenues as they can within its confines. However, circumstances in life oftentimes do not favor this wish. The fear of what might be on the other side stops people from taking the leap. When u/Alone-and-affraid asked, "People who just said 'F**k it' and did the thing, how did it turn out?" the brave people who took that plunge answered what happened when they got over that fear. Here are 10 stories that will inspire everyone to follow their heart.

1. Leaving after being undervalued

In my youth, I walked out of my job as a programming analyst at a large multi-billion dollar company because I felt undervalued every day of my job by my direct supervisor/manager. But I landed in another large multi-billion dollar company as a senior developer after 3 rounds of interviews - with a 40% raise within 2 weeks. I was called back by my previous employer after around 3 months giving me a 100% raise because they realized that I was providing them everyday solutions in their technical operations that ended up not being solvable by even external consultants who were paid 300-400$ per hour. I rejected the offer but showed the offer to my current employer who happily matched the salary after seeing my work for 3 months and promoted me to lead developer. Stayed there for 8 years before switching, this was in early 2000. u/notyourregularninja

2. Taking up a unique hobby

Walking to a thrift store and noticed a Muay Thai/BJJ gym next door. Went in, asked questions and gave them my email. After a few emails back and forth (COVID had just ended), ended up joining about a year and a half ago. Currently taking my post-spar p**p and shower. Met some cool a** people, made some friends and probably my most frequent social interactions outside of work and live music: lost fat, gained muscle and learned to fight a bit. Great idea. One of my few social activities that aren’t alcohol-related. u/Sad_T-Rex8442

3. Believing in the love of your life

Packed up all my stuff and moved from the Midwest to New England to move in with my internet (IRC) boyfriend. We are celebrating 20 years of marriage this month. u/HamiltonIsMyJamilton Boyfriend asked me to marry him after 6 months of dating. We just celebrated our 25th anniversary. u/MacabreMori113. Got married. Turned out pretty great. Had some annual leave and had been dating for nine-ish months. Decided to f**k it let's fly to Vegas and get married. Had a great time, some family was sad they didn't get to see it but we had a party after we got back so all is well there. Bought a property together and changed jobs together, he's my rock and my best friend. Couldn't have turned out better. u/laurentrucker

4. Explore a new place

This was about four years ago, I was 20, I had done nothing with my life, didn't get any jobs I applied for and had fallen into a pretty spiral of basically just existing. I wanted to change something, so what I did was I started googling "volunteer Hawaii." The first result I got was for Maui County so I sent them an email. The second result was an animal sanctuary on the Big Island that a New Zealand company had advertised for so I sent the New Zealand company a message and asked them about the program. When they responded, I decided that was what I decided. Two months later I went to Hawaii. I met a bunch of people who I've lost contact with now sadly but I got to spend 7 weeks in paradise, then COVID hit and I had to fly home. I came home at the end of March 2020 and I still remember swimming with the manta rays, getting bit by that duck, driving around the island and walking up that very steep road in Waipeo Valley. u/tired_kittens

5. Resigning from a toxic job

Quit my toxic office job in 2011, went freelancing between jobs to make ends meet and it went so well that I made the mental shift of thinking of myself as "self-employed" instead of "unemployed." I'm now a partner in a small business that I co-founded in 2020 and so far we've been very successful. Fingers crossed, I plan for it to be the last job I ever have. u/Geekboxing

6. Travel the world

17 months ago we closed our business, sold our house and set out in our car with a plan to go wherever. So far that's taken us across the US and Canada and back, to Western Europe and currently in Asia (sold the car before we left). Some days are more challenging than others but we've seen and done stuff we will never forget and are learning a lot about ourselves and the world along the way. Not sure how, when or if this ends and in no hurry to find out. u/Prior_Equipment

7. Detach from sentimental things

Seems inconsequential compared to other stories but here it is. I like older boats. I had a 1972 Pacemaker and after 20 years with her, I was getting too old to handle the maintenance. Not a big boat but too much for me at my age (65 then). I bought a 1972 Chris Craft, a smaller boat, sight unseen from an online advertisement. Then I sold my old boat and paid too much to have the new one repowered. Glad I did it. u/lodger238

8. Walked out of a relationship

Last year I ended a 6 1/2 year long relationship. I was the one who loved too much, who wasn't loved for the person I am and who only searched for the mistakes in myself. In the last month of our relationship, he said that he didn't want to do this anymore and that he didn't have any romantic feelings anymore. I didn't want to believe this and I said that I would change that. After a few days of ignoring each other, some scenarios that my brain had completely forgotten just came back to my mind and I realized that I was so unhappy because of the way he treated me. We were really good friends, but in the past few years there have been some things that destroyed my trust in him, but I repressed all those feelings because I loved him. The last weekend before I knew that I'd move out, I went to a club and he was also there and we just greeted each other like some friends and talked for a minute. When I came home, I opened the door of the bedroom and his mattress was not there. He took the mattress and put it in another room because he was mad at me that I was at the same club as him. At that moment I thought "F*** it - I don't want to fight for this relationship anymore" and I said that I would move out by the end of the week. It was really hard because we still cared for each other and we just wanted to be happy again, but alone. I was so ashamed when I told my parents that it didn't work out, but I'm glad that they were on my side and that I could stay at their flat for almost a year. Maybe it won't sound that spectacular to you, but for me, it was a really big step and it was the best thing I ever did because I wouldn't have met my new boyfriend (angel on earth). Now I'm living alone and bought two cats and I really enjoyed my first flat! u/dangerous_nugget

9. Tick off items from bucket list

In my 20’s I cycled and always talked about racing. One day my mentor wanted to know why I didn’t. I began to complain about money. He checked me and said pick the next race and do it. I said f**k it. I picked the next available race which was halfway up the state and bought a one-way bus ticket (it’s all I had money for). Put my bike under the bus and took off. I got to my destination, signed in and did the race. I had no idea where or what I would do next and struck up a convo in a bar and the guy let me crash at his apartment with an offer to drive me to the second day of the race. I ended up partying all night and missed the race. At the event, I ran into some familiar faces from my local weekend group ride and they had enough room in the van for me and an extra spot for my bike. They gave me a ride to a parking lot near my home and I rode back to my apartment. This experience was a turning point that taught me planning is well and good but sometimes in life, you just have to jump in with both feet and go for it. u/Tool_of_the_thems

10. Switch careers

I quit my job and moved states in pursuit of music. Everybody told me it was an awful idea and they were both right and wrong. I made some really great friends and I made some music which a lot of people tell me is really great, but I’d be lying if I said I’m thriving. Bills are expensive and when it comes to making money, the earnings aren’t great. My following isn’t big, but I have a dedicated small fanbase. I just wish it were easier to get my name out there because from what I hear, people really like my stuff. It just doesn’t get shared much, unfortunately. If anybody is interested, you can find me wherever you listen to music by searching “Carbrey - South”. u/Vibe-Father. I changed careers on nothing more than a suggestion from a friend. It worked out amazingly. u/CoffeeAndBrass