15 Things That Can Instantly Destroy Your Life Just by Doing It Once
Every decision you make, every choice, comes with the consequences of that decision. Some are great, while others carry harsh outcomes. Several things can seriously mess up your life by doing or trying them once. Here are a handful of serious offenders.
1. Jumping into an Unknown Body of Water Head First
Jumping into an unknown body of water headfirst can change or end your life in an instant. There have been an unfortunate number of individuals who have mistakingly dove headfirst into shallow waters and suffered permanent disabilities, paralyzation, or death.
2. Drinking Alcohol
Drinking alcohol can lead to many dangerous situations. For example, some people drink to the point of passing out and end up being assaulted. Others experience alcohol poisoning. Still, many go on to suffer a period-to-lifetime addiction, which breeds many destructive behaviors and negative life experiences.
3. Drunk Driving
Drunk driving is another component of drinking alcohol danger that is rampant and claims 37 American lives daily. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that one person is killed in a drunk driving accident every 39 minutes in the United States.
Getting a DUI is another risk if you drink and drive that can completely destroy your life, even if only once. Between possible arrest and jail time to taking classes and losing your driver’s license, it significantly impacts your life. There are also heavy fines, and getting a DUI leaves a mark on your driving and criminal records.
4. Negligent Homicide
Negligent homicide or vehicular manslaughter can be caused by drunk driving, and you’ll lose your freedom overnight, mentally and physically. Still, negligent homicide can happen without any alcohol involvement.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that driving while texting is six times more dangerous than driving drunk. Did you know that reading or sending a text takes your eyes off the road for about five seconds?
5. Road Rage
Road rage is scary because people are unpredictable and dangerous behind their vehicles. One of the most terrifying events in my life was when a car began chasing me, and whenever I stopped at a stop sign, they would jump out and run toward my vehicle.
I had no idea why, but they eventually got me at a red light, busted out my back window, and attempted to pull my passenger out. A young man also pounded on my driver’s window, screaming to get out.
My eighteen-year-old self was frightened to my core. I learned later that my passenger flipped them off, and that was the aftermath of his decision. It cost me a $200 deductible for the window, but I was fortunate.
Some people don’t get off that easy. Consumer Affairs states that 65% of U.S. residents polled reported keeping at least one weapon in their vehicle. 45% admit keeping pepper spray, 40% carry guns in their cars, and 50% of Americans polled carry a knife.
6. Cheating
Cheating destroys relationships and families all over the world daily. It’s the worst offense from the person you’re supposed to be able to trust more than anyone else in your life. Forgiveness is nearly impossible, and even couples who try to overcome it often face permanent trust issues while the victim struggles with resentment.
It’s never worth the pain it causes. Sometimes, it leads to homicide. Dozens of true crime TV shows tell these horrific stories.
7. Not Wearing Safety Gear
Not taking the necessary safety precautions, like wearing safety gear for specific jobs, leads to unnecessary injuries and, unfortunately, deaths every year. For example, not wearing safety goggles or seatbelts. Also, bicycling, skateboarding, and rollerblading without safety gear can change your life instantly.
8. Unprotected Sex
Unprotected sex can destroy your entire life, and it only takes one time. You may get an STD, a permanent STD; if you’re a woman, you can end up pregnant; if you’re a man, you can impregnate a woman, all of which can dramatically change your life overnight.
9. Drugs
It only takes one time to spiral into developing a substance use disorder, and it’s never been easier to obtain drugs. From traditional dealers slanging them on the street to people selling them online through social media accounts and the dark web, they are rampant.
One of the biggest perpetrators of substance use disorders is the American medical system mismanaging pain. That’s the scariest part. You can say no to drugs your entire life, get in an accident, and have pain meds prescribed for legitimate pain that leads to opioid dependency. They don’t discriminate.
10. Reconnecting With Bad Influences
Reconnecting with people who were bad influences on you can have detrimental consequences on your life. You’d be surprised how quickly you can return to your old ways and completely mess up your life. Keep closed doors closed.
11. Going to the Bathroom Outside
Did you know that if you are caught urinating in public, you can be charged with indecent exposure? So, why is that such a big deal? Well, it comes with the hefty sentence of being forced to register on the sex offender’s list. That will destroy anyone’s life immediately.
12. Fighting
Physical altercations can lead to permanent injuries, disabilities, and death. A moment of anger can lead to a lifetime of regret. There have been numerous cases where a fistfight has caused someone to go to jail for things such as causing irreparable brain damage or death after punching someone in the face.
Sometimes, people hit their heads on the way down to the ground. Sometimes, they hit their head on something on the ground, resulting in these tragic outcomes.
13. Watching Adult Entertainment
Watching adult entertainment, even only once, can cause perverseness to grow in the psyche. Who knows how watching those films really affects a developing brain? Watching that content can lead to an unhealthy addiction and relationship with sex in the real world.
Ballard Brief states: “This type of content exists on 12% of all websites and is viewed by approximately 69% of American men and 40% of American women in any given year.”
14. Eating Unidentified Mushrooms
It’s imperative that when foraging mushrooms, you are sure you’ve correctly identified the mushroom, or you run the risk of becoming very ill or dying. There are three reported deaths annually.
15. Getting a Felony
Having a felony on your criminal record will change your life overnight. It makes employment significantly more difficult. Also, depending on your previous record and current charge, it could incur jail time and hefty fines and cause issues in your personal and professional life.
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Elizabeth Ervin helps people embrace a change in money mindset to achieve their financial goals. After struggling for a decade as a single mother, consumed by the American debt cycle, she recognizes the value of financial education and lifestyle changes and aspires to motivate others to make those changes to obtain financial freedom. She heavily advocates for praying about and over your finances and speaking positive money affirmations to manifest abundance.
