https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-have-you-had-a-second-chance Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 03 May 2026 23:30:49 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-have-you-had-a-second-chance/page/2#post-251156 Mon, 15 Nov 2010 16:42:53 +0000 MsMary 251156@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Amen, Laura! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-have-you-had-a-second-chance/page/2#post-251100 Mon, 15 Nov 2010 13:28:33 +0000 Laura 251100@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes, this is a touching thread!<br /> April, I see what you meant - and yes, we all can change our situations at any time, if that's what we want to do. When you are young, it might seem like you only get a first and second chance but now at my advanced age (wink, wink), I realize the chances are infinite. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-have-you-had-a-second-chance/page/2#post-251094 Mon, 15 Nov 2010 11:45:20 +0000 crwilson 251094@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I fear that I'm on the brink of a second chance, and I'd prefer to stay with my first chance, thank you very much. We'll see - maybe there will be a second chance with my first chance. How's that for an elliptical use of chance?</p> <p>I love reading people's stories of renewal. It's inspiring so inspiring. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-have-you-had-a-second-chance/page/2#post-251089 Mon, 15 Nov 2010 11:01:42 +0000 RoseandJoan 251089@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is a touching thread April, I love my parents dearly but for me my second chance came when I left home and moved across the country at 18. I needed to put physical distance between us to allow emotional wounds to heal. My Mum is the most wonderfully caring person you will ever meet but her schizophrenia is incredibly destructive. I guess at 18 I decided I would not be a victim of my circumstances and took my second chance. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-have-you-had-a-second-chance/page/2#post-251085 Mon, 15 Nov 2010 10:35:13 +0000 stringy 251085@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Grieving takes time - spend a little cocoon-time with yourself for now. It makes you stronger for when it's time to be a butterfly again... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-have-you-had-a-second-chance/page/2#post-250999 Mon, 15 Nov 2010 05:02:32 +0000 taylor 250999@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm sorry you are still hurting Mac :(<br /> Allow yourself the time to grieve...there will be a rainbow at the end...promise </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-have-you-had-a-second-chance/page/2#post-250974 Mon, 15 Nov 2010 04:35:34 +0000 Mac 250974@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Feeling rather bleak at the moment about most areas of my life. eg. Had a second chance with my ex - but the second-time 'round was even sadder and less successful than the first and now that's over, too. Had second chance with career but it never lived up to my first. </p> <p>I hope some second - or third, or fourth - chances will be coming my way before too long but for now I'm just in full grieving mode; changing from a caterpillar to a butterfly (I hope!) is painful. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-have-you-had-a-second-chance/page/2#post-250963 Mon, 15 Nov 2010 04:22:00 +0000 Megan 250963@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Stringy I love the 'Sacrifice to the Pancake Gods'</p> <p>LOL! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-have-you-had-a-second-chance/page/2#post-250949 Mon, 15 Nov 2010 04:09:45 +0000 Maya 250949@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh wait! I have been given a second chance. Remember that cream dress...? :p</p> <p>Perhaps not life changing, but a happy ending nonetheless... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-have-you-had-a-second-chance/page/2#post-250902 Mon, 15 Nov 2010 03:14:00 +0000 stringy 250902@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Good luck, Cathy! I'm on my 3rd-chance career and my umpteenth-and-final chance relationship. Both are working out very well indeed! </p> <p>It's like making pancakes. In my family we always call the first one the Sacrifice to the Pancake Gods, because it's always wrong somehow: undercooked, overcooked, falling apart. But you can't make the 2nd, 3rd, etc good pancakes until you've made the first wrong one, because it's cooking the first one that helps you adjust the pan to the exact right temperature. So you just feed the first one to the dog, or chuck it in the compost, and move on to the next one as quickly as possible. </p> <p>And I reckon it's the same with life - there are just some things that you have to learn from experience, and the only way to do that is to just get on with it. Learn your lesson and then put it into practice the next time with greater success! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-have-you-had-a-second-chance#post-250856 Mon, 15 Nov 2010 01:36:27 +0000 Kari 250856@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hugs to you, Cathy. I hope that all works out well.</p> <p>I appreciate this thread, April, and all of you who shared your experiences - it's hopeful to know that great and joyful things can emerge from second chances even though it can be terrifying to be right in the middle of that process. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-have-you-had-a-second-chance#post-250851 Mon, 15 Nov 2010 01:35:29 +0000 Barbara 250851@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>For me it was the decision to move to Europe with my husband and then-toddler son and live there for 12 years from 1988 to 2000. It was incredible and life-altering. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-have-you-had-a-second-chance#post-250847 Mon, 15 Nov 2010 01:28:50 +0000 Angie 250847@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>@ April, so happy you have made the most of your second chance. Bless yours and SO's heart. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-have-you-had-a-second-chance#post-250798 Mon, 15 Nov 2010 00:43:43 +0000 annagybe 250798@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I redid my entire life starting at age 29. Still an ongoing process. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-have-you-had-a-second-chance#post-250794 Mon, 15 Nov 2010 00:37:15 +0000 April 250794@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Cathy, although I don't know what you're dealing with, there is plenty of reason to be hopeful. Wishing you the best in making the right decisions for yourself! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-have-you-had-a-second-chance#post-250705 Sun, 14 Nov 2010 21:10:19 +0000 wilson 250705@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am really loving reading these posts! Keep them coming! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-have-you-had-a-second-chance#post-250697 Sun, 14 Nov 2010 20:46:42 +0000 cciele 250697@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm at a major fork in my life right now and I really hope a second chance will work out for the better. Because if it doesn't, there's a lot at stake. Sorry to be so vague; will post in a separate thread later.</p> <p>Meanwhile, I'm glad to read of the successes you have had with your second chances. It gives me hope! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-have-you-had-a-second-chance#post-250651 Sun, 14 Nov 2010 18:28:33 +0000 April 250651@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>And Rute, your happiness shines on your face in every photo... You have one of the most joyful smiles I've ever seen. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-have-you-had-a-second-chance#post-250642 Sun, 14 Nov 2010 18:06:01 +0000 rute 250642@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Couldn't agree more.. sometimes we say that life doesn't gives you second chances but that's not true! But you have to look for them, to work for them!<br /> My second chance was my second marriage, truly a second life: new house, new city and a love I never tought it could even be possible! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-have-you-had-a-second-chance#post-250639 Sun, 14 Nov 2010 17:52:58 +0000 MsMary 250639@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I guess I didn't make myself clear. YES! Yes, yes, and yes! I have had major forks in the road where the other direction turned out to be surprisingly wonderful! </p> <p>In particular, I left private law practice some years ago to go into a government setting. At the time it was a gigantic pay cut, a gigantic cut in prestige, and basically I thought I was committing career suicide. But it was worth it to me at the time because I was totally burned out and wanted to have some time with my family before my son was completely grown up and out of the house for good.</p> <p>Lo and behold, not only did I get the benefits I'd been hoping for when I gave up The Big Career, but it started me on a whole new career path and now I have an amazing dream job and have regained all the money and prestige I gave up, with interest! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-have-you-had-a-second-chance#post-250598 Sun, 14 Nov 2010 12:26:16 +0000 April 250598@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>@ Laura, MaryK, and Shana -- of course you're right that we all have lots of chances in lots of areas all the time. But the thing is, we mostly don't pursue them. That's not a bad thing, since not doing so can be an indicator that things are good as they are, and since it would be hard to create any kind of coherent life if we constantly changed course.</p> <p>But the ones I'm asking about are the major forks in the road where we've deliberately chosen (or had thrust upon us) a completely different direction. More specifically, I'm asking about the ones where that other direction turned out to be surprisingly wonderful.</p> <p>@ Maya and Marianna -- in your twenties, it makes perfect sense to be creating your initial path. </p> <p>@ Mae, Srujana, RT, Megan, Paige, LJ, Lisa, Sveta, Sharon, and Kari -- group hug! So glad you also found good things on the other side. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-have-you-had-a-second-chance#post-250578 Sun, 14 Nov 2010 08:39:17 +0000 Kari 250578@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yup. I went through a very devastating breakup several years back that kind of derailed a lot of the plans and beliefs I had in my life. Once I realized just how much of my life had become centered around one person, who turned out to be incredibly dishonest, passive-aggressive, and disloyal, I was completely disgusted with myself. </p> <p>After some time trying to re-orient my life &amp; core principles, I decided that I did want to meet someone romantically and gave internet dating through personal ads a try. I figured that at worst, I'd probably have some hilarious bad-date stories to laugh about with friends. It turned out that my first date and I totally clicked, and I've been dating this completely open, honest man who constantly makes me laugh for nearly 3 years now. We get each other, but we also give each other room to have our own separate lives &amp; hobbies. I still think it's uncanny that two individuals who typically are VERY shy about approaching strangers would find each other through internet personals ads - which you'd think would be the last place people like us would turn to.</p> <p>In terms of everything in my life that kind of halted at that point several years ago - uncertainty about careers, loss of faith, lack of self-confidence - I've tried very hard to make the most of my second chance(s) this time around! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-have-you-had-a-second-chance#post-250573 Sun, 14 Nov 2010 06:50:48 +0000 Sharon 250573@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm in the "life is full of second chances" camp. I went back to university at age 30 to fulfill a long time dream. At the time my children were aged 6 and 3, and we had to move interstate for me to do it. So as impossible as it may have seemed before it happened, I got my second chance! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-have-you-had-a-second-chance#post-250569 Sun, 14 Nov 2010 06:40:23 +0000 Scarlet 250569@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am still riding wave number 1 but I really enjoyed reading other people's stories. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-have-you-had-a-second-chance#post-250528 Sun, 14 Nov 2010 03:05:46 +0000 Sveta 250528@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>At first I thought that I did not have any second chances but then it dawned on me: I have moved across the ocean to another country! That was really a life changing experience and I enjoyed every minute of it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-have-you-had-a-second-chance#post-250520 Sun, 14 Nov 2010 03:00:18 +0000 Lisa 250520@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Second chances, hmm, on my first marriage, but it was my second engagement. Liked my first degree, but my second one helped advance my career further. Enjoyed my first career but my second one, I like a LOT more! I always thought getting older was a gift and while youth has it's pluses as I get more and more white hairs (nope they are bypassing gray and going right to white) I find the experience and wisdom are irreplaceable. I apply this to second chances too, you have the experience and knowledge to handle situations differently (and ideally better) the second time around. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-have-you-had-a-second-chance#post-250519 Sun, 14 Nov 2010 02:57:52 +0000 LeahJanes 250519@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Moving overseas was the biggest second chance I have had. My whole outlook, personality and luck completely changed. I never thought I could be so happy So many good things have happened since I moved here, some of them through my changed outlook and hard work, and others just pure good luck. I am very grateful.</p> <p>I'm with the others, life is full of chances. Your number is never up while you're still breathing. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-have-you-had-a-second-chance#post-250501 Sun, 14 Nov 2010 02:12:34 +0000 Maya 250501@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It makes lots of sense Marianna. I am too. Sometimes I think I avoid dealing with certain life experiences because I know things rarely work out the first time. It's a very bad habit of mine. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-have-you-had-a-second-chance#post-250499 Sun, 14 Nov 2010 02:09:46 +0000 marianna 250499@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hmm. Not yet. Still looking for a first chance, if that makes any sense. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-have-you-had-a-second-chance#post-250492 Sun, 14 Nov 2010 02:01:12 +0000 wilson 250492@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>A resounding Yes! I am in the midst of creating a second chance right now. Almost two years ago a major crisis left me feeling like all the good and wonderful things in my life were snatched away from me literally overnight. At the time I didn't view it as an opportunity for a second chance but with time I have come to see that there has been a beautiful gift in all of it. I closed our business that was interesting and challenging, but had been more my husband's passion than mine and not something I was prepared to continue on my own. After months of consideration and counsel from wise friends I moved to a university town to go back to school for nursing. This will help me fulfill a long-time passion I have had since childhood. </p>