# What's the biggest change to your life since you joined the Dope? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 6, 2015, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-biggest-change-to-your-life-since-you-joined-the-dope/719353 "2015-05-06T01:53:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2015, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-biggest-change-to-your-life-since-you-joined-the-dope/719353/61 "2015-05-06T18:10:16Z")
Joined 2003 Father died Published first poetry collection Became VP of my company Husband died Met new man Quit job Moved to California from Ohio Went back to school Got married Graduated Working in new career ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2015, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-biggest-change-to-your-life-since-you-joined-the-dope/719353/62 "2015-05-06T18:19:02Z")
Both of my mothers died, my adopted and biological. I went back to school and got a degree. Got into jewelry making First new car Lost my gecko Picante ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2015, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-biggest-change-to-your-life-since-you-joined-the-dope/719353/63 "2015-05-06T18:19:34Z")
By far the biggest was that my wife died. Way, way down from that: Got laid off and was out of work for 11 months. Worked at a startup for a year and a half. Got a good stable job, and got a couple of promotions. Got a dog. Started taking accounting classes, aiming toward becoming a CPA. ---
**Author:** ![Angel\_of\_the\_Lord](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/angel_of_the_lord/32/2949_2.png) [@Angel\_of\_the\_Lord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angel_of_the_Lord)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2015, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-biggest-change-to-your-life-since-you-joined-the-dope/719353/64 "2015-05-06T18:39:44Z")
Graduated high school, lost my virginity, graduated college, got married, bought a house, got divorced, lost the house (kids, don’t get divorced in 2008!), went back to school, got my master’s, am working on my PhD. That’s in the standard achievements category. There’s also, “lost my oldest friend to suicide”, “underwent a couple of treatment cycles for what ultimately ended up being an anxiety disorder, and would’ve been a lot faster to diagnose properly if I’d been able to ever admit that I was anxious”, “realized I’m both not as smart as I think I am and way smarter than I think I am”, “went to Europe”, “stopped talking to my dad, then he had a stroke so I gave him another chance, then stopped talking to him again”, “grappled with my gender identity and got viciously mocked off-board for posting about it here”, and “gave up caffeine for a year, and that didn’t last.” So…a lot, basically. ---
**Author:** ![racepug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@racepug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racepug)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2015, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-biggest-change-to-your-life-since-you-joined-the-dope/719353/65 "2015-05-06T18:56:00Z")
> [@BrassyPhrase](#): > > Mine join date says 2003, but I KNOW I must’ve been on here longer. (Wasn’t there a lot of kerfuffle at one point and people had to rejoin? I was drinking a lot and mostly a lurker so not sure.) > > Since 2003. (In my 30’s range). > > Had my heart broken a few times by a couple of boyfriends. Broke one guys heart when I broke up with him. > **( I had to explain that I wouldn’t get pregnant if he came in my mouth. We were both IN OUR THIRTIES!)** > > Found my Fella. > > Realized I had to get sober after I lost my job. Working on it as a FOB. > > The Fella’s kids are accepting of me and things are pretty good— > > UNTIL THE NEXT TIDAL WAVE… > > Seriously, I’m so happy so, obviously things are about to be bad? Well, look at it this way - maybe a lot of unwanted pregnancies were avoided because of his ignorance… ---
**Author:** ![BetsQ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/fbc32d/32.png) [@BetsQ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BetsQ)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2015, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-biggest-change-to-your-life-since-you-joined-the-dope/719353/66 "2015-05-06T19:50:45Z")
Well. I feel unaccomplished after reading what you all have been up to. Since I joined in 2006, my baby and preschooler turned into delightful school-aged kids, I finished my PhD and got a job in my field that I mostly enjoy, and we got a dog. Life feels very different than it did in 2006, but there weren’t many big turning points along the way. ---
**Author:** ![missred](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/missred/32/14096_2.png) [@missred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missred)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2015, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-biggest-change-to-your-life-since-you-joined-the-dope/719353/67 "2015-05-06T20:55:31Z")
Since joining in 2007: Lost my SO Got my associates Got a new SO Left the new SO Lost my mom Went from redhead to blonde 😛 ---
**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2015, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-biggest-change-to-your-life-since-you-joined-the-dope/719353/68 "2015-05-06T22:57:13Z")
Join date is 2002. In that time… \*Husband and I have been separated more than once \*Moved six (more if you count return trips) times \*Battled mental illness and now, for the most part, have it under control and am once again a contributing member of society \*Lost my step-brother to cancer \*Lost my religion, although I regained it again in a much better fashion \*Husband became gravely ill and we continue to fight his problems daily \*Became his full-time caregiver to do that \*Lost our home to foreclosure \*Our beloved, oldest pup was put down in January of this year \*Got two new pups in the interim who are trying to steal our hearts, too \*Found a wonderful church home \*Re-established a relationship with my dad \*Began working and volunteering once more \*Have become the happiest and most content I’ve ever been, pretty much only seeing life as a gift to try and enjoy all the parts of it, even the not-so-good ETA: \*And now, at 47, about to get my first bi-focals Sheesh. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2015, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-biggest-change-to-your-life-since-you-joined-the-dope/719353/69 "2015-05-06T23:42:07Z")
Came out. ---
**Author:** ![Megaera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/megaera/32/1405_2.png) [@Megaera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Megaera)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2015, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-biggest-change-to-your-life-since-you-joined-the-dope/719353/70 "2015-05-07T00:57:56Z")
In the few months I’ve been here, I’ve: Lost two close friends. Had my hours changed three times at work. In one day. Lost my beloved Himalayan. Gained a collie. Recently got my hours back, but the company who leased our bins cancelled their contract, so in a couple of days, when the last bin is empty, I’ll probably be out of a job. I don’t know. I suspect my Supervisor knows, but he isn’t saying. If it were up to me, and I could, I certainly wouldn’t miss it. Got a lead on another job and have talked to the potential employer several times, but so far it’s just talk. It’s been such a weird time sometimes I just want to lock the doors and hide. If this had happened in three years I’d have just taken early SS and retired, if I could. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2015, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-biggest-change-to-your-life-since-you-joined-the-dope/719353/71 "2015-05-07T03:05:28Z")
My mom died early in 2010. Nothing else comes close. ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2015, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-biggest-change-to-your-life-since-you-joined-the-dope/719353/72 "2015-05-07T04:09:34Z")
> [@August\_West](#): > > **Pets** > > Barley the Dog in 2014, died 2015 (bad reaction to anesthesia during neutering) That is harsh… when something you don’t expect to be the slightest problem… ouch. ---
**Author:** ![pullin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c57346/32.png) [@pullin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pullin)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2015, 10:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-biggest-change-to-your-life-since-you-joined-the-dope/719353/73 "2015-05-07T10:16:20Z")
Since joining in 2003, -Said farewell to several relatives, mainly to age related illnesses -Lost two dogs to old age -Watched my parents go from active happy retirees, to struggling old folks (this has been sobering) -Launched both kids (we’re empty nesters now) -Passed the 35 year mark in our relationship -Watched several spendthrift relatives hit bottom as time, age, and credit ran out (although predictable, this was sobering as well) -Paid off my house -Became a millionaire (according to the finance/accounts lady, I don’t feel any different) -Finished my Master’s degree -Got my Commercial, Multi-engine pilot’s license (No idea why, just wanted to see if I could) -Learned to hunt with a bow (not great at it, but occasionally manage some venison) Some aren’t exactly earth-shaking changes, but they’re what came to mind when I read the OP’s question. ---
**Author:** ![August\_West](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/august_west/32/18069_2.png) [@August\_West](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/August_West)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2015, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-biggest-change-to-your-life-since-you-joined-the-dope/719353/74 "2015-05-07T13:33:26Z")
> [@Stoid](#): > > That is harsh… when something you don’t expect to be the slightest problem… ouch. Thanks, it was pretty rough, especially for my two little guys. We’re just now starting to look at dogs again. ---
**Author:** ![overlyverbose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9dc877/32.png) [@overlyverbose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/overlyverbose)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2015, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-biggest-change-to-your-life-since-you-joined-the-dope/719353/75 "2015-05-07T13:52:38Z")
I joined December 2003 (I think). Since then, I’ve gotten married, had two kids, had surgery for an ectopic pregnancy and my mom was diagnosed as an alcoholic needing a liver transplant. More recently - a couple of days ago - her doctor told her that after two years of consistently maintaining drastic lifestyle changes, her liver is unexpectedly regenerating (!!) and that they are cautiously optimistic she may no longer need a transplant. She better damn well take care of it this time. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2015, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-biggest-change-to-your-life-since-you-joined-the-dope/719353/76 "2015-05-07T15:31:38Z")
Let’s see… I joined in 2000, so the following has happened: [ul] [li]Had 3-4 girlfriends.[/li][li]Quit my job to go to grad school.[/li][li]Got a MS and a MBA in grad school.[/li][li]Got married to one of the girlfriends.[/li][li]Got new job.[/li][li]Got fired from new job a few years later.[/li][li]Got another job (still at it nearly 7 yrs later).[/li][li]Wife had 2 miscarriages- before and after our first child.[/li][li]Wife and I produced 2 boys- 2011 and 2014.[/li][li]Completely tore patellar tendon on my right knee- had it repaired and underwent rehab. Am good as new, believe it or not.[/li][li]Lost a beloved and close aunt to cancer. [/li][/ul] That’s not including various other less monumental things- vacations, etc… So I’ve been relatively busy in the past 15 years… ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2015, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-biggest-change-to-your-life-since-you-joined-the-dope/719353/77 "2015-05-07T15:34:47Z")
I used to be a married San Francisco psuedo-hipster; now I’m a divorced Maine pseudo-redneck. ---
**Author:** ![Kiros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/439d5e/32.png) [@Kiros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kiros)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2015, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-biggest-change-to-your-life-since-you-joined-the-dope/719353/78 "2015-05-07T16:09:05Z")
> [@Doctor\_Jackson](#): > > Wow, pretty much 1/3 of my life has happened since I joined here. This… I joined in Spring of my freshman year of undergrad. Since then… Graduated (BA) First career-level job Lost three grandparents to general old-age stuff within a year Married Bought a house Quit to go to grad school full time (MBA) Finished that and recently started my first post-MBA job That’s just the major stuff. Time flies. ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2015, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-biggest-change-to-your-life-since-you-joined-the-dope/719353/79 "2015-05-07T17:34:21Z")
> [@August\_West](#): > > Thanks, it was pretty rough, especially for my two little guys. We’re just now starting to look at dogs again. May your next live freakishly long and happy. (I killed my own dog -so to speak- treating his cluster seizure epilepsy with a second medication. He developed pneumonia outta nowhere and my vet forgot until 4 days in and what turned out to be hours from his death that the secondary medication can cause water on the lungs. He was five and the furry love of my life that I had rescued at 6 weeks…blind in one eye from a blow to the head that was almost certainly the cause of the epilepsy as well. It was easily the worst single day of my life…death sucks) ---
**Author:** ![chrisk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@chrisk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chrisk)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2015, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-biggest-change-to-your-life-since-you-joined-the-dope/719353/80 "2015-05-07T17:54:30Z")
Interesting question. I joined back in 2003, but a lot hasn’t changed in my life. I’m still living in the same place, still single, still working at kinda the same job (it’s evolved and spun off over the years, gradually.) Still writing. The first thing I thought of was that I’m a driver not, instead of exclusively public transit. But thinking back, possibly the bigger social change started before that. Way back when I was really an acutely shy loner. But when I started going out to NaNoWriMo events in 2007, I guess I figured out how to engage with people socially. 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-biggest-change-to-your-life-since-you-joined-the-dope/719353.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-biggest-change-to-your-life-since-you-joined-the-dope/719353.md?page=5)