Change is a good thing.

May 14, 2012

The world hates change, yet it is the only thing that has brought progress.” – Charles Kettering

I was 20 when Desperate Housewives first came on air. I watched the show religiously with my mum for 2 seasons. Something happend after that I really don’t recall, but I stopped watching. I tuned into tonight because my favorite show, The Goodwife, is over for this season.

I sat there mesmerized watching these 4 women move on with their lives and came to the realization that change, as scary as it can be is a great thing.

We may not like it, or think its for the best, but change makes us take steps in directions that we feel that we are not ready for.

Things that have happened in the last 8 years:

  • Graduated with a BSc. in MicroBiology, along with a MSc. in MicroBiology
  • Toured around Europe and Asia
  • Toured around North and South America
  • Successfully started and operated 2 businesses, one of them a non-profit.
  • Sit on multiple boards for organizations.
  • My baby sister finished her first year of university.
  • Assisted with launching 8 businesses and helped expand numerous others.
  • Bought and paid for 2 cars
  • Was in a horrible car accident where I has a guardian angel watch over me and we walked away unharmed.
  • Was a bridesmaid 7 times.
  • GOT SERIOUS ABOUT MY DEBT. 
  • Did all of the above will working  full time for the same company doing different roles.

 

What have you done, and how have you changed over the last 8 years?

 

 

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  • SB @ One Cent At A Time May 14, 2012 at 11:41 am

    change is what define a leader. How efficient a leader is in making a change determines his/her power. If there’s no change, no leder is required.

    • Marissa May 14, 2012 at 5:39 pm

      Thats a great way of looking at it.

  • Call Me What You Want Even Cheap May 14, 2012 at 1:09 pm

    Change is definitely not a bad thing. It forces us to grow and not get stuck in the same pattern of life.

    It’s amazing how many things can be done in 8 years.

    • Marissa May 14, 2012 at 5:39 pm

      I’m pretty sure you have too. Its a matter of looking back at it.

  • Daisy @ Add Vodka May 14, 2012 at 1:44 pm

    It’s our natural reaction to resist change. A LOT has changed in my life in the last 8 years and it’s almost all for the better. Looks like you’ve had a successful better part of a decade!

    • Marissa May 14, 2012 at 5:38 pm

      I think so. Its funny how things look better in hindsight.

  • Jai Catalano May 14, 2012 at 1:54 pm

    I think this is well said. Change is scary but I have such a personal experience with change that makes me realize that it is a good thing. Good can sometimes be scary.

    • Marissa May 14, 2012 at 5:38 pm

      I agree.

  • John @ Married (with Debt) May 14, 2012 at 3:43 pm

    In the last 8 years we’ve had two daughters, paid off almost $100,000 in consumer debt, bought 2 houses (sold 1), and visited Europe 3 times. I feel blessed and wonder what the next 10 years has in store.

    • Marissa May 14, 2012 at 5:37 pm

      WOW, thats a great way to spend 8 years.

  • Lance@MoneyLife&More May 14, 2012 at 5:45 pm

    Over the last 8 years I have gone to and graduated from college, worked in a big city, then moved closer to my parents in an awesome area. Things have been going well and I hope they continue. If I hadn’t changed I’d still be stuck in the big city life I wasn’t a fan of.

  • femmefrugality May 14, 2012 at 7:31 pm

    Too much has changed over the past eight years to even make a list of it here. But it truly is amazing. Everytime I get stuck in a rut I just look back on how much has changed and think about applying the same concept to the future. I actually end up looking forward to it.

  • Careful Cents May 14, 2012 at 8:35 pm

    Wow, I can’t believe it’s been that long since Desperate Housewives originally aired. I started watching it when it first began, but after season 3 I got too busy/disinterested. A lot has happened in your life over these past years. It’s a great testimony to you as a person, that you’ve accomplished so much. Awesome stuff!

  • Modest Money May 14, 2012 at 9:41 pm

    Wow you’ve achieved a lot in the last 8 years Marissa! I can’t list any kinds of accomplishments like that. Well I started my own online business and helped numerous businesses grow, but nothing crazy. I’ve gone through a major change a few months ago though. I split with my girlfriend of 7+ years and am living on my own again. That was a huge change for me after getting so used to having her there all the time. It was pretty scary to move on, but it was probably for the best.

    • Marissa May 15, 2012 at 2:06 am

      I’m sure the next 8 are going to be great. Also, you probably did more than you think.

  • eemusings May 14, 2012 at 10:14 pm

    Eight years ago I was 15 … so a lot! Moved out on my own. Went to uni. Got my first job. Got engaged. Took my first overseas trip without my parents. Got my second job. Moved A LOT of times. And who knows what comes next?

    • Marissa May 15, 2012 at 2:05 am

      Thats part of the adventure.

  • Rafiki May 14, 2012 at 8:48 pm

    You have done in 8 years what some people take a lifetime to do. That is amazing.

  • MyMoneyDesign May 15, 2012 at 12:55 am

    Desperate Housewives started 8 years ago? Wow, it’s been a while. I watched the first two seasons (with my wife of course), but after that it got really lame.

    8 years ago I was moving into my first house, having my second child, and finishing grad school. Life has been good!

  • MoneySmartGuides May 15, 2012 at 1:29 am

    In the past 8 years, I got my masters in finance, bought a house, started 2 businesses and became a landlord to name a few. All exciting things. I can’t wait to see what the next 8 bring!

    • Marissa May 15, 2012 at 2:03 am

      That sounds fantastic. I wish you a great next 8 years.

  • From Shopping to Saving May 14, 2012 at 10:00 pm

    Marissa, thank you for this post. Within the past month or so, my life has decided to take a dramatic turn. I honestly thought I would be working at the same company and living in San Diego for a long time. Overnight, my world changed upside down and I’ll be moving and quitting my job in A MONTH! It’s scary to say the least, but after reading this… it is true. Change is always for the better, which is why I made the decision I made. It’s hard to deal with it because we get comfortable and used to things, and change IS scary. I’m saving this image for inspiration when I feel like I am down about the new changes… however I agree with it all. Change is always for the better.

  • From Shopping to Saving May 14, 2012 at 10:03 pm

    OH! Also in the past 8 years I have moved out of my parents’ house for college, got kicked out of college, got back into college and graduated still within 4 years, moved back to the bay area, went on over 15 interviews while job hunting for 6 months, started my first full-time job and moved to San Diego with my boyfriend, took the LSAT, applied for law school, and got accepted into law school. Crazy how much can change in 8 years 🙂 I hope these next few years emulate or come a little close to what you have done!

    • Marissa May 15, 2012 at 2:05 am

      Im excited to see where you are in 8 years, too.

  • Shilpan May 15, 2012 at 2:04 am

    The irony is that change is constant. It cares less if you believe in change or not. Think about the industrial revolution, or the Internet age, change has been inevitable part of our lives. You can see that first hand when you walk into Apple store and watch 80 years old man playing with new iPad3. 🙂

    • Marissa May 15, 2012 at 8:43 am

      I didn’t really think of it that way.

  • Julie @ Freedom 48 May 15, 2012 at 1:29 am

    Awesome list! It’s amazing how much things change.

    In the past 8 years we got engaged, got married, both graduated from university, bought our first car, then traded it in for our current vehicle, bought a second home, moved, both of us began our careers, lost my grandpa, lost Nick’s grandma, lost my dad.

    I think we grew up in these past 8 years…

    • Marissa May 15, 2012 at 2:03 am

      Its amazing to look back. I’m sorry for both of your losses.

  • Kris @ BalancingMoneyandLife May 15, 2012 at 4:08 am

    In 8 years? I’ve changed jobs 3 times, sold 2 houses and built another one, started and finished my MBA, and watched my children grow up, and faced cancer twice (once my husband, once me).

    Lots of things can change in 8 years – and yes, change can be vey good. 🙂

    • Marissa May 15, 2012 at 8:43 am

      OH WOW. I hope you two are ok.

  • Paul @ The Frugal Toad May 15, 2012 at 1:34 pm

    Like others have said, change is inevitably. You can either fight it or embrace it. I would have to say I embrace change for the most part, especially technology. It is amazing to look back and see how technology has changed our lives!

    • Marissa May 15, 2012 at 7:31 pm

      You don’t like change in tech? Thats my favourite part.

  • Little House May 15, 2012 at 1:59 pm

    A lot has changed over eight years: finished a teaching credential, started two blogs, moved three times, paid off a car, paid off our credit card debt, continued to help my husband build his business. Things are constantly changing and being able to adapt and be flexible is the only way to accept the changes.

    • Marissa May 15, 2012 at 7:32 pm

      I agree!

  • Michelle May 16, 2012 at 4:37 pm

    Wow a lot has happened in 8 years! In 8 years a lot has changed for me of course. Especially considering I was only in my second year of high school then! haha

    • Marissa May 16, 2012 at 4:41 pm

      Wow, I didn’t realize you were younger than me.

  • Miss T @ Prairie Eco-Thrifter May 16, 2012 at 7:25 pm

    Wow, what a journey you have had. Good for you for accomplishing so much.
    I have been quite busy myself the last 8 years and I have had a lot of change in my life. The good thing is the change has been for the better. I embrace change now and look forward to it.