People Share Things Everyone Should Experience At Least Once In Their Lifetime

We’ll let you in on a one-million-dollar secret: life is shorter than you think. And we don’t mean that to be dramatic, but rather as a fact. One day, you and everyone else will be gone from this planet. Sure, there are ways to prolong your existence — eating healthy, exercising regularly, and being extra careful while crossing the street. But at some point, we’re all going to be ashes. And guess what? Those things you want to do at least once in your life will be left unfulfilled on a list of personal projects.

It’s easy to let days go by and still not experience both the finest and simplest things. It can be for any number of reasons — lack of money and time, fear of change, or lack of ambition. We all have those little dreams and aspirations on our bucket lists that we never make a move toward because something more pressing happens along the way. Now we’ve decided it’s time for you to start living your time in this world with more gusto! There’s no point in putting off those must-do things in life that could make you happier. Days will pass you by so quickly, and before you know it — poof! — the time and energy you had will be gone.

So what are some things everyone should experience at least once? That’s what users on AskReddit tried to answer. The results were full of fun, interesting, and sometimes even mind-blowing answers. From the simple to the bizarre, we selected some of the most upvoted responses we’ve seen. We’re not saying you have to do all of these things by the time you’re old and gray, but at least try them. Who knows — maybe one of these once-in-a-lifetime experiences will change you forever.

#1

“The unconditional love of a pet. There’s nothing like it.”

Image source: Costner_Facts

#2

“Working in customer service. I think it would humble some people in the nicest way.”

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#3

“Laughing so hard that it hurts.”

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#4

“Living alone. Without roommates, without mom and dad, just alone. You would be amazed by how much time you spend living for other people’s dreams or desires.”

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#5

“See the northern lights in action with your own eyes.”

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#6

“Walking outside late at night just after a fresh fall of snow when the moon is shining brightly.”

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#7

“Traveling abroad and trying to experience local culture. Not just touristy places. It expands your mind and makes you appreciate the world.”

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#8

“A road trip with no real destination. Drive in a general direction and figure it out as you go. One of the best trips I took was driving down the coast from Vancouver to Mexico. The only plan we had was to stay on the coast. I was truly amazed at how beautiful it can be so close to home.”

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#9

“Everyone should have the experience of having at least one person they can trust and open up to.”

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#10

“Traveling alone. Just once. Even for just a few days. Do it alone. Revel in it.”

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#11

“Live away from your hometown for at least a year.”

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#12

“Being loved by a cat.”

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#13

“Total silence (aside from nature) in a remote place.”

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#14

“Making a child laugh. I have no words to describe how I feel when a child gives me that big, hearty laugh. It’s the most satisfying feeling ever. It brings a new definition for love and affection.”

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#15

“Train ride: either along the coast or in the snowy mountains.”

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#16

“Seeing a concert that gives your chills/goosebumps.”

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#17

“Giving someone something or doing something that cannot in any way be repaid.”

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#18

“Seeing the California Redwoods in person.”

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#19

“Being able to walk to work.”

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#20

“Having a dog.”

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#21

“A properly done full body massage.”

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#22

“Seeing your favorite band live and up close. The excitement of a mosh pit or crowd is so much better than stadium seats.”

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#23

“Failure. Because it makes way for success.”

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#24

“Manual, hard labor. Everything around you was put there by someone.”

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#25

“A really long train ride through the countryside. Long enough to read most of a book on, sleep overnight on, meet interesting people on. I have great memories of doing this throughout my life.”

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#26

“Everyone should spend a day in a classroom in a poor school district. It would shut a lot of people up and inspire a lot of others to make spending on education a much higher priority. Conditions in bad schools are absolutely heartbreaking.”

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#27

“See the rings of Saturn through a telescope. I’ve seen them plenty through pictures but somehow seeing them, tiny, and just barely in focus is just mind blowing.”

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#28

“Experience culture shock.”

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#29

“Sailing on the ocean at night.”

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#30

“Wish I didn’t have to say it but: Happiness.”

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#31

“Have at least one of your dreams come true.”

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#32

“Visit as many national parks as you can.”

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#33

“Putting a stamp in your passport.”

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#34

“A hiking/camping trip somewhere. I hiked portions of the Appalachian trail with friends when I was in my 20s. These trips were some of the best experiences of my life.”

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#35

“Working in a restaurant. It baffles me that a large majority of people have no idea what goes on in a restaurant.”

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#36

“Everyone should experience not having enough money to eat. It makes you appreciate every meal and not waste food.”

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#37

“There’s something gritty and otherworldly about being on the back of a horse taking off into full flight.”

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#38

“A full moon drum circle.”

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#39

“New York City on your own.”

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#40

“Downhill, on a bicycle.”

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#41

“Go somewhere where there is nobody else. Not like an office building or somewhere in the city, or even a small town, go somewhere where it feels as though no human has been there for hundreds of years, and just listen to nature. Take the time to appreciate what we as a race have lost, it will be worth it, I promise you.”

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#42

“Going to the rain forest in Hawaii.”

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#43

“Cross-country road trip, planning only a day in advance for motels.”

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#44

“Performing. Whether it be music, comedy or acting having a crowd roar with your talents is absolutely life-changing.”

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#45

“Sail through the fjords of Norway.”

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#46

“Facing and conquering one of your biggest fears. Rewarding as hell!”

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#47

“Fighting hard and struggling to accomplish something.”

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#48

“I am of the opinion that everyone needs one real failed relationship too. It adds to the life lesson.”

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#49

“Trying to Oil Paint. What a surge of creativity. I never look at nature the same way anymore since I started painting. Trees, mountains, streams, the sky – they all look so much more surreal after trying to portray them onto canvas.”

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#50

“A live comedy show.”

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#51

“Flying an airplane. Usually costs less than $100 for a demo ride, and flight instructors are happy to let you take the controls. Some will let you stay hands-on during takeoff and landing. Completely changed my life.”

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#52

“Buy, borrow, rent, or charter a motor boat. Launch it on the ocean and drive it until you can’t see land anymore, then go another half hour. Stop the motor, weigh the anchor, and watch the sunset. Then watch as absolute darkness kicks in. If you do it on a clear night you’ll see an amazing starscape. Depending on where you go you might also see some really interesting things under the water.”

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#53

“Volunteering for low-income families.”

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#54

“Everyone should experience absolute solitude.”

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#55

“CNA work. Just so that you know what it is like. It is a very humbling experience.”

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#56

“Everyone should tour the inside of a jail or prison, maybe spend the night as well. I don’t mean that we all need to go out and get arrested, I mean that all should see where one bad decision can land you for a very long time.”

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#57

“Driving in a truck. Not for the experience but it makes you understand what a truck driver sees.”

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#58

“Playing your favorite sport under the rain.”

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#59

“Go to a concert on your own. Did this last summer, and it is definitely one of the highlights of my life.”

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#60

“Pushing your body and mind to its absolute limits.”

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#61

“Living in Thailand in a Buddhist temple on a mountain for a month with no heating, but beautiful calmness.”

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#62

“A walking pilgrimage like the Camino to Santiago in Spain totally don’t have to be religious to do and when I did that walk in particular there were loads of young people on the way and made amazing friends. There is also something weird about walking for a number of weeks where you become to adopt it as part of your identity – completely breaking you from the modern world of what employment means and is forever a true north in my life as to how things are going in my career.”

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#63

“Total solar eclipse! I saw one in Europe in 1999. Truly amazing. There are two coming up in the continental US, 2017 and 2024. “

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#64

“A live rocket launch. It’s nothing like TV.”

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#65

“Skydiving.”

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#66

“A winter in the midwest. You’ll never complain about the weather again.”

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#67

“Deep fried ice cream.”

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#68

“Introspection.”

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#69

“A struggle.”

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#70

“Seeing the National Monuments in Washington D.C.”

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#71

“A standing ovation.”

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#72

“Lucid dreaming. It’s a really profound feeling to come to the realization that you are dreaming right now. It’s a skill that can be learned, so get to it!”

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#73

“Going in a sauna completely naked then jumping in really cold water.”

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#74

“A romantic relationship. Opens up new feelings and sensations in you.”

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#75

“Holding your child for the first time. And then crying silently to yourself a few years later when they truly hug you back for the first time.”

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#76

“Every driver should do a few months on a motorbike. You’ll realise how dangerous the roads are and be a better, more courteous driver for the rest of your life.”

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#77

“My dad always said everyone needs their *ss kicked at least once. To make them realize they aren’t invincible.”

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#78

“24 hours in the woods alone. Bring an apple, Snickers, pen and paper. It’s called a ‘solo’ and it was the best experience of my life.”

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#79

“Arguing against a group for something you believe in.”

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#80

“An airplane lifting off the ground. It’s magical in an unexplainable way.”

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#81

“Visit an Olympic Games. I went to London in 2012 and the atmosphere was just incredible. On top of that, you are watching the world’s best athletes compete for the most prestigious award which only comes around once every four years. It was awesome.”

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#82

“Ride a roller coaster.”

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#83

“Learn how to improvise on an instrument, or at least do it with your voice!”

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#84

“Living in a really big city.”

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#85

“Loving a sports team with all of your heart, and watching them win or lose a big game with a lot of people, preferably a sports bar, that love the same team. The moment of pure jubilation or heartbreak is something that everyone should experience.”

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#86

“Near-death.”

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#87

“An mud run or obstacle course marathon. The thrill, people, and camaraderie are beyond belief. One of the greatest things I’ve ever involved myself with.”

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#88

“Homelessness. It changes how you see the rest of the world very quickly.”

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#89

“Southwest United States.”

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#90

“Actual peril. A life-threatening event. You don’t truly know who you are until you face a situation where your life is on the line.”

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#91

“Their favorite sports team winning a championship. It’s a true ecstasy.”

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#92

“Traveling for an extended period of time (1 month-many years) with no money.”

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#93

“An unusual food for the average person. Scorpion, snail, etc.”

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#94

“Owning a business. The feeling of not having a monthly paycheck guaranteed is terrifying, but knowing that you have complete financial and general freedom (no boss, no “downsizing”, unlimited earning potential, take vacations whenever you like, just take the day off if you’re sick, etc.) is exhilarating.”

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#95

“Sudden and unexpected loss. Nothing has made me more grateful for all the blessings in my life because of grief. True grief changes a person and you eventually choose if it’s going to destroy you or mold you into a more compassionate person.”

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#96

“Star Wars.”

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#97

“Being arrested was an eye-opening experience.”

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#98

“Crowd surfing.”

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#99

“Everyone should swim with sharks. If you’re scared of them, conquer your fear and at least swim with Tigers or Lemon sharks. If you’re more balsy, swim with Bull sharks. I would not recommend swimming with great whites but if you love sharks and would like a challenge, go for it. They are less likely to kill people than the police.”

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#100

“Burning Man.”

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#101

“Going on a 7 day cruise, If you can afford longer that’s even better. There is plenty of natural things to experience in the world but a cruise is purely materialistic. It’s relaxing being away from work and responsibilities, generally speaking cruise lines do their best to make everything worry-free. If you save up enough money there are plenty of activities to do at each destination, plus money for souvenirs.”

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