17 Experiences Every Person Must Have at Least Once In Their Life

An older woman enjoys the solitude of nature at a river bank in the fall.Photo byMila Supinskaya Glashchenko via Shutterstock

Everyone has different life goals, but some things transcend individualism. Here are 17 experiences every human should have at least once.

Comfortable With You

Can you sit in quiet comfort with just yourself? Learning to accept yourself is vital for happiness.

Feeling Passion for Something

What are you passionate about? Not a person but a hobby, a cause, a career, an idea. Everyone should feel that burning desire to work towards something meaningful.

Seeing the Stars

Ancient peoples had a collective experience we lost with advances in technology. Get out somewhere without light pollution to truly grasp the vast expanse of the universe.

Someone Who Lights Up When They See You

Whether a child or a beloved pet, nothing beats the feeling of being someone’s entire world. That feeling when you open the door, and they come running as if they haven’t seen you for weeks beats nearly anything else.

Accepting that You’re Wrong

Humans are fallible. No one is right about everything. Everyone should grow comfortable with challenging their beliefs and accepting when they’re wrong.

Growing From It

Acceptance is half the battle. For true actualization, you must take what you learned and grow, becoming a better person.

Facing Consequences

Actions have consequences. People who float through life, never experiencing any repercussions for their objectively lousy behavior, will never truly grow.

Love

True love is freeing. Everyone should experience the ultimate joy of a loving partnership filled with trust, commitment, and support.

Travel Someplace Different

Even homebodies should get out and see a different part of the world at least once. Traveling opens your eyes to new perspectives and helps you challenge your worldview. It may even help you appreciate home a little more.

Living Alone

Far too many people hop from their parent’s house to a partner’s house and never figure out how to live alone. Living alone is crucial for learning self-reliance.

Failure

People freeze because they fear failure, but failing is often a major key to growth. Experiencing a massive failure will teach you what you’re made of.

Working Customer Service

If everyone had to work in a minimum-wage food service or retail position, they’d treat the people in those jobs far better. It’s a grueling experience, but it would hopefully build empathy.

Stepping in the Ocean

You don’t have to go in deep, but just a single step on the beach where the waves gently hit the sand allows us to contemplate Mother Nature’s vast bounty and our small place next to her.

Pet Ownership

Raising a little kitten from the time they’re only a few weeks old, watching them grow and learn, and then sitting with them when they take their ultimate journey to the beyond is a lovely, sorrowful, bittersweet experience that encompasses all the blessings and sorrows of what it means to be human.

Have at Least One Close Friend

Humans are social creatures. We need connections to thrive. Everyone should experience the joys of friendship at least once in their life.

Heartbreak

Life is a roller coaster of joy and sorrow. You can’t have one without the other. Navigating heartbreak will help you appreciate the joyful moments so much more.

Empathy

Walking in someone else’s shoes to feel what they feel changes your life. Everyone should try to experience the world with empathy. It will make the world a better place.

What's an Empath?

Empaths can read other people's emotions. Find out how it works and whether you may have some empathic abilities!

Learn More: Experts Reveal Top Signs of an Empath

Personalized Ideas for your Bucket List

The world abounds with excitement and adventure. Whether you prefer to get your adventures at home or out in the wild, we have bucket list ideas for you.

Consider adding some of these 200 activities to your must-do list!

This article was produced and syndicated by Partners in Fire.