10 experiences that people believe everyone should get to have once in their lifetime

An experience of a lifetime.

Dying with regrets is the worst thing one can imagine. That's why we build up bucket lists and set goals for our future so we don't have to miss out on experiencing something until it's too late. Every person wishes to experience at least one special thing before their time is over. It can be a small thing such as watching a sunset from a beach or something extravagant like going on a foreign vacation. All these dreams are important and valid. u/spskit asked the Reddit community to share that one thing that every single human should experience. Lots of people left a whole lot of interesting answers and here are some of the best responses to the question where individuals shared their poignant thoughts on what every person should experience at least once.

1. Embracing your authentic self

Feeling comfortable with themselves. u/sunbearimon.  I'm almost 40 and no matter when I am in life with the big stuff I have downturns and upturns with how much I like myself. I'll always try to be positive with myself but logically there are times when I'm happier with who I am as a person than others. Being in transition takes time and if you're in a transitional phase you have to give yourself some grace. I know it's cliche but I look at it like relationships with my super close friends. There are times when I know they are struggling and I don't judge them for it because I know who they are at heart and they get some time. u/Even-Atmosphere1814

2. Finding your passion

To be passionate about something. Doesn't have to be a person. u/Likely_Not_your_Mom. This is underrated. I've occasionally met people who don't seem to be passionate about anything... their job just pays the bills, they don't have hobbies and they don't have any niche interests or obsessions... it's really disheartening. u/just_add_cholula. What I've found is that it's really difficult to maintain even lightly cognitively challenging hobbies during periods of high stress or anxiety (chronic or otherwise). Like, even video games feel like too much to manage. We don't really know what people have going on that they're trying to handle. u/ExoSpectral

3. Go stargazing

Seeing the stars from somewhere with minimal light pollutio, pictures can’t capture it, words fail to express it. u/User_Deleted_Content. My friend and his family went up one weekend and took me along. They had a massive generator with flood lights on it so they could have good lighting at night because where the cabin was set up, it was literally on the top of a "hill" which was more of a mountain. Long story short, our first night up there his stepdad had us all go to the clearing in the back of the cabin and he set us up and then went over and shut off the lights. I almost s*** myself. I felt like I was floating through the cosmos. It still to this day is one of the best things that I have ever witnessed. I need to try to make it a point to go to another similar place and see it again. u/ZekeMoss18

4. Being curious

Realizing asking questions and listening gets you through a lot more doors. You don’t have to know everything. u/MacDugin. I have a strong growth mindset but also have a core memory of a construction manager (300k+/yr salary, multi-million dollar project, multi-million dollar company) screaming in my face about "not being prepared and competent" because I asked some questions about something about the job because I wanted to learn. My bosses came down on me because I embarrassed them by not looking like we had all the answers to everything. Didn't really make me regret it, because we didn't have all the answers and the only way to get the information was to ask, but I definitely understand what kind of toxic fear-based work cultures can lead to people just never asking questions they need to ask because they fear retaliation. u/3_edged_sword

5. Never give up

Doing everything you can to succeed and still failing. Then learn to pick yourself up after to continue trying. u/farmersmarketcig. At some point, you have to realize too that not everyone can succeed at everything. I like the idea that the difference between those who succeed and those who do not is where they draw the line in the sand. That is, the ones who make it are just the ones that didn't throw in the towel after everyone else did but that doesn't mean you can just be stubborn and never throw in the towel and therefore you'll make it. u/AbiQuinn

6. Traveling solo

Travel solo. It's a truly amazing experience and you'll discover so much about yourself. u/EGgal93. Try to find yourself a social hobby that isn't necessarily tied to one place. A lot of recreational sports, for example, have pickup games all over the place all the time, especially in big cities like New York. You could also probably find a drop-in board or tabletop game night somewhere, etc. u/Sportkitized 

7. Living on your own

As someone who has been living alone for the first time in my life in my early 30s, this is what I'll say. It is a double-edged sword. I love having my own space. I love having to answer to no one in my own private domicile. But everything is on you. It's expensive when you have to cover 100% of all the bills. You have to do 100% of all the cleaning, also no help. Every problem with a renter or whatever, that's on you. Also if you're used to people being around, it gets lonely at times. I also find that I really don't like having people over. My place is for me and me alone. So if I want to be around people, I just go to where they're at. This might be a bit more of a personal feeling but people leave messes. Also on you. u/Skootchy

8. Having great parents

Loving parents. Changes your entire life. u/imastrangeone. My experience was different from yours, so I can't speak to your situation, but I grew up in a house that looked great from the outside. Unfortunately, it was all horrendous emotional manipulation and abuse once other eyes were off of us. It's really hard when nobody else can really validate your experience, but that doesn't mean it didn't happen. Other people may try to tell you your family was great to you. They may tell you that they're your blood, so you have to find a way to love them. Other people don't know. Family doesn't get special asshole passes just because they happen to be related to you. u/asshat123

9. Cuddling with a loved one

Hugging and cuddling with someone you love. u/Upstairs-Corgi-640. The best moment of romance in my life was with a girl I dated and still love to this day. She was at my place and we were so passionate with each other. When we went to bed we cuddled and faced each other our noses basically touching. We talked through the whole night. I don't know what we talked about but we just enjoyed each other's company so much. I am not with her anymore and this memory still fills me with pure joy. u/Carpathicus

10. Getting greeted warmly

Either a kid, a pet, or a friend lighting up and making their way over to you on sight. Not many things beat that and I feel terrible for people who don't have it or don't generate that. People used to give me hell when I was younger because I'd give everybody a polite greeting and if I saw them again I'd always go say hello. Then later, they'd get jealous because I seemed to know everybody in town, but that was just a beneficial side effect of how terrible it seemed to just not be noticed and appreciated. u/FoldedaMillionTimes