14 Extremely Galvanizing Stories Of People Who Made A Huge Life Change After Turning 30

"I decided to get a divorce and move to a different country all by myself. It was inexplicably scary, but now, almost a year later, my life has new meaning. "

BuzzFeed Brazil recently asked readers about major life changes they made after turning 30 — and here are their stories:

Note: responses have been translated and edited for length and clarity.

1. "At 38, I changed my city and my life."

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I left my husband, abandoned the life of an ordinary housewife and mother of four kids, and became a web designer and content editor. At 38, I changed my city and my life, and I'm very happy with everything. —Ester Kogler.

2. "I abandoned my old job because I didn't fit the mold."

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I didn't completely abandon my profession, but I left in the way that I wanted, with my head held high, in a way that almost nobody else does. I was a vet, and I only practiced clinical medicine. Today I'm also a holistic therapist, merged with the veterinary role. I abandoned my old job because I didn't fit the mold. I created my own brand, I make my own hours, and work how I want. —Marcella Vianna.

3. "I'm already thinking about a doctorate."

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I finished my elementary education at 29 years of age, middle school at 30, and at 31, I attended public university on the other side of the country. I didn't know anyone, and I left school several times because I was working as a waiter at night. At 37, I graduated as a geography teacher, passing three exams, and I'm about to move to a new city, where I'll do my master's degree at public university. I'm already thinking about a doctorate at 40. —Jonas Filho.

4. "I got back the twinkle in my eye!"

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At 31 years of age, I decided to get a divorce and move to a different country all by myself. It was inexplicably scary, but now, almost a year later, my life has new meaning. I'm going to start studying (a postgraduate course), I'm in a new relationship that does wonders for me, I'm making new friends, and BEST OF ALL, I got back the twinkle in my eye! —Camila Franco.

5. "I decided to go back to college to pursue my life's calling: education."

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With a degree in advertising for 10 years, and after working in the family business for 9, I felt like I was treading water, without any prospects. At 31, and with a small 2-year-old child, I decided to go back to college to pursue my life's calling: education. Today, on the eve of graduation, I'm doing scientific research and a teaching residency program. I'm very happy with my studies and certain that this is my direction in life. Everyone notices how much I talk about my course, and this career that I'm so much in love with! —Debora Thais.

6. "When I go through hard times in life, I remember their story."

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My father, at 35 years of age, was already married with three kids, had completed law school (after having started - and dropped - some six different courses, all at public college), passed the public exam, and today he's a judge! I'm so proud. My mom sold snacks at a gym to help pay the rent until he found a job. When I go through hard times in life, I remember their story and thank God with all my heart that I was born into such a blessed and courageous family. —Verena Funfas.

7. "Today I feel fulfilled, despite the struggles of being an entrepreneur."

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I started my label in 2014 with 300 reais (about $81). I was 27 years old at the time; today I'm 31. Fashion was always my dream, but I was never able to pay for a course. Then one day, while browsing a university website, I saw that you could get scholarships by passing an exam. I signed up, took the exam, passed in 1st place and got a full scholarship. Today I feel fulfilled, despite the struggles of being an entrepreneur. After 30, I noticed a marked change in certain opinions and views of my business. I see that if I'd done the course earlier, I wouldn't have had the same maturity that I have now. I believe that from now on, things will only get better. Ah! At 31, I'm still unmarried, I don't have kids, I live with my parents and I don't see anything wrong with it. Everything happens at the right time. —Carol Skripes.

8. "I had a very nice salary for that time, every possible benefit, but I wasn't happy."

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At 30 years of age, I was working at a bank. I had a very nice salary for that time, every possible benefit, but I wasn't happy. I left everything, became unemployed for just over a year, and changed to advertising. ... Today, six years later, I've reestablished myself with a salary and career. BEST THING I EVER DID. —Marco Antonio Bonatto.

9. "I don't think I could've made a better choice."

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At 31 I left my career in the FAB (Brazilian Air Force) after nine years as a sergeant. That same year, I also ended my relationship of almost a decade. I left everything and came to live in Australia in 2015. Today, at 34, I'm the manager of a supermarket chain here. I still don't feel as if I've built a solid foundation. I want to change course and establish a career here. But with all the certainty on Earth, I don't think I could've made a better choice 😘. —Thais Fernandes.

10. "We've been here for four years, facing a lot of problems, but today we're happier and more fulfilled than ever."

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At 32, I left my job as relationship manager at a public bank, my husband sold the IT firm that he'd built by himself from nothing ten years previously, and we moved with our children, aged 9 and 14 (at the time) to Senegal, Africa, to start a social inclusion project. We've been here for four years, facing a lot of problems, but today we're happier and more fulfilled than ever. Happy, adjusted children, and all of us with a worldview and experiences that no money could buy. —Débora Pessoa de Melo.

11. "I don't have the money to open my own business, but every customer who orders has already made my day or week."

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I changed professions at 32. I was a nurse, and today I make pastries and desserts to order. I don't have the money to open my own business, but every customer who orders has already made my day or week. It's a dream I've had for many years; I can't believe I'm chasing it. —Marcela Costa Isack Corrêa.

12. "I dropped everything — job, career, husband, apartment and friends — went to live in a temple, studied yoga and worked as a chef."

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"I was a lawyer with a nine-year career history, a four-year marriage and a well-established life! I dropped everything — job, career, husband, apartment and friends — went to live in a temple, studied yoga and worked as a chef in a vegan restaurant. I went back to living with my parents, opened a shop selling plus size clothing (manufactured in house) with my mother, and now I'm saving money so I can open my own vegan restaurant!!! I'm 33 years old. —Aurélio Pereira.

13. "Today, at 35, I'm in the final semester of a master's degree."

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Up until I was 29, I was a housekeeper, then I took the ENEM [National Secondary Education Examination], and at 33 gained my bachelor's degree in history. Today, at 35, I'm in the final semester of a master's degree in history. It's been a period of huge changes, bringing me great happiness. —Alaides Costa.

14. "She got her diploma, two months later she took a city hall exam to be a caregiver for the elderly."

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My mom started from nothing, without savings or financing. At 52, recently separated from my dad, and a housewife for her entire life, she did odd jobs to save money to pay for an elderly caregiver course over two weekends. She got her diploma, two months later she took a city hall exam to be a caregiver for the elderly. She passed on her first try, and now she's been working there for two years. She's a fantastic employee and the oldest person on the team. —Thayrine Mota Sabrina Mars.

This post was translated from Portuguese.