Fascinating thread here! When I first saw the question, I thought, "Nah, although I loved the show, it had no influence on my life." That's not true, though, and here's why:
Although I always was a history buff, it intensified my desire to learn more about different eras. I also developed quite an interest in old houses and antiques, something I pursue today. I live in the Hudson Valley where we have many Gilded Age mansions. One of my favorite pastimes is going through these spectacular places and just imagining how it must have been to live in them then, something akin to Collinwood.
Too, as someone else said, I have had the distinct honor and pleasure of meeting many people in this fandom who've become very good friends. We have shared much together -- the trials and tribulations of life, loss, love, divorce, deaths -- you name it. It's a blessing.