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If you could go back what would you be............?

(131 Posts)
Mossfarr Thu 15-Aug-19 11:26:06

I'm sure this has probably been done before but I find it fascinating.
In my career I worked mostly 'office based' in finance. I enjoyed it and was good at it but, given the choice now, would I follow the same path - no I don't think I would.

If I had my time again I would love to have been an architect or structural engineer. I developed a great love of construction and all the building processes when renovating our homes over the years.

I always ask friends this question and its really surprising what people would choose. It reveals a whole different side to them - in a good way!

moggie57 Fri 16-Aug-19 11:38:15

i think i would like to be an archeologist.. as i like history...

absthame Fri 16-Aug-19 11:45:37

In truth, I wouldn't change anything, neither the bad or the good. From every bad thing that has happened in my life, something(s) good have sprung and the good has been appreciated more because of the bad experience that preceded it.

Annaram1 Fri 16-Aug-19 11:54:15

Kim. I was a librarian and it was mighty boring. I tried to get away a few times and even got other job offers, but the pay always kept me in libraries. Pay was not wonderful but always better than that offered by other jobs. I did another job at weekends - self employed hypnotherapist, That was interesting and I did a lot of good, e.g stopped over 400 people smoking. Unfortunately had to give it up as I started getting terrific headaches at the end of the day,

sarahellenwhitney Fri 16-Aug-19 11:59:46

I can't think of anything other than 'growing some' grinsooner rather than later.

Aepgirl Fri 16-Aug-19 12:05:16

Something to do with music and dance. However, I was persuaded to take a ‘reliable’ job with a regular salary.

Foxyferret Fri 16-Aug-19 12:09:15

Anything to do with gardening. Love growing from seeds and cuttings and prefer gardening to housework. Another reason I hate winter, I can’t get out there. Would love to have been a horticulturist.

nipsmum Fri 16-Aug-19 12:09:32

I started trainng as a nurse when I was 17 1\2. I worked as a nurse until I was 63 and couldn't imagine doing anything else. I loved every minute of it. Good and bad.

GinJeannie Fri 16-Aug-19 12:11:17

A florist, not the shorthand/typist secretary with the Council that I was encouraged to become as ‘highly respectable’! I’ve done floristry and flower arranging classes since retired and find it so satisfying and relaxing. Hey ho!

Craftycat Fri 16-Aug-19 12:23:47

Too rich to have to work!

schnackie Fri 16-Aug-19 12:25:57

As others have said, I became a nurse at 19 and it was the best/only career I could have had. My own talents, personality and eventually pay made the best job ever. Retirement has been a mixed blessing.

jura2 Fri 16-Aug-19 12:26:41

an ethical Tour operator- specialising in history, wildlife and nature, x country skiing, herbs and wild flowers and wild mushrooms. Might still do that... starting a business at 70 would be fun (Brexit dixit)

Diane227 Fri 16-Aug-19 12:28:07

I would like to have been a designer. I used to make some of my clothes as a teenager. Would love to have gone to art college .
I ended up later on being a social worker. For those who said they wished for this as a career , you had a narrow escape. Long hours , loads of stress, very little thanks.

Jillybird Fri 16-Aug-19 12:35:02

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Jillybird Fri 16-Aug-19 12:40:10

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Hm999 Fri 16-Aug-19 12:40:17

If I had my time again, I would still want to be a secondary teacher, same subject because I love it. Would I have married the same man - no - but then my children and granddaughter would be different! No I wouldn't want that. Maybe divorced sooner, if I had my time again.
What I would do differently, I wish I'd learned skills for which you need confidence - speaking languages, art, playing piano.

Tigertooth Fri 16-Aug-19 12:42:35

Wish I’d followed my desire to act - size 14, thought I was too fat.
Should have married my ex flat mate who adored me, he went on to be quite famous and very wealthy.

Bbbface Fri 16-Aug-19 12:59:29

*Single. No marriage, and frankly, no children.*

Can’t get my head around “no children”

Bugbabe2019 Fri 16-Aug-19 13:01:45

I would have joined the police or the forces. Never had the confidence or the backing of my parents to go for it.

I would still have married at 23 and had my kids at the same age but I definitely would have made different choices with my marriage. We are still together 36 years later and still in love but made some bad financial decisions.

lovebeigecardigans1955 Fri 16-Aug-19 13:04:55

I would have loved to have done something creative, such as designing houses (inside and/or outside) or landscaping gardens.

I expect that this would have meant running my own business and I had neither the capital to begin or the confidence needed.

My teachers would be appalled at the downhill path my working life took.

Jennyluck Fri 16-Aug-19 13:07:56

I regret not going for further education and trying for a career, rather than settling for a job. But that’s what most girls did then. And maybe I wasn’t clever enough, who knows. My dad was ill and died when I was 16, so financially it probably wouldn’t have been viable . I had to work to help my mom.
I’ve loved music all my life, so maybe a career involving musics .

SparklyGrandma Fri 16-Aug-19 13:09:30

I have had a lovely career but if I had my time again, I would do something involved with being outside a lot, a naturalist or doing trading at Kew in horticulture.

annifrance Fri 16-Aug-19 13:15:54

I have hugely enjoyed most of the things I have done. However I would go back to My teenage first choices. First choice was vet, told by up itself hateful school that I wasn't clever enough, veterinary nurse at that time only required 2 Olevel passes so was told no A---y schoolgirl went in for something like that.

Art historian/curator, I wasn't important enough for rearranging of timetable to accommodate my A level needs. Rubbish of course and should have insisted on Art, and fitted something like French and Geography around this. No help from either school or parents to facilitate this. My sixth form years were truly miserable, thank goodness for the solace of my pony. At least I had the guts in the end to stand up for myself. It still rankles.

Graygirl Fri 16-Aug-19 13:23:56

Stood up to my Dad and gone to catering college ,I
did go in my early 30s after a bad marriage and he boasted to everyone how well I did and was doing .

Evangeline Fri 16-Aug-19 13:37:36

Day 6
Do it!
I joined am dram musical theatre after I divorced.I’m very shy but once you’re on stage,music playing, lights bright- no better feeling!
Time over? Don’t give up your life for your children.
Feeling ever so slightly bitter this afternoon!

sharon103 Fri 16-Aug-19 13:47:00

I always wanted to be a midwife or hairdresser.
In reality I couldn't wait to earn some money and left school at 15 and was a sewing machinist.