When I was younger, I was convinced that I would travel the world A LOT and that I would continue to do so as I got older.

Those kinds of adventures would never slow down, right?

Hmmmm…

Life has a tendency to get in the way of your plans sometimes. I’m not saying that’s a bad thing, but it’s just the way it goes.

But I still have some time to do some of the things that I want to do at least once, so I have that going for me.

What do you think every person on the planet should be able to experience at least once? Skydiving? Going to another country? The possibilities are endless.

Let’s see what AskReddit users had to say.

1. Two good ones.

“Standing somewhere very high, and just absorbing the view. Its easy, especially in our urban cities and over-developed suburbs to lose the sense of how big the world really is.

People talk about “big sky” in places like Texas, but you haven’t experienced “big sky” until you’re standing a mile or three high and looking out over the planet. (And being in an airplane does not count).

Also, really experiencing the night sky, somewhere truly dark.

Big bonus if you’re doing both at the same time.”

2. Freedom.

“Living single and alone. It’s a very specific kind of freedom but a touch of fear.

I can do whatever I want…at the same time if something bad happened it might be a bit before anyone even noticed.”

3. As simple as that.

“Love.

Not lustful, hormonal and temporary rushes of emotion.

Deep, sacrificial, spiritual, hell-or-high-water, to the ends of the earth love.

To love someone like that and to be loved like that in return is the highest point of human existence.

I would kill and die for my wife without a second thought. She knows this, and I know she would do the same for me. I never really lived until I loved, and specifically, loved like this.”

4. You’ll grow from it.

“As shitty as it is, and I wouldn’t wish it upon many people… Heartbreak. I feel like a lot of personal growth can stem from it.

It also makes you way more sensitive and understanding of others who are hurting and suffering. Empathy is far more important and powerful than sympathy.”

5. The service industry.

“Working in food service.

Humbling, and teaches you to not be a piece of shit to people.

Still have to check some of my friends when we go out and they get impatient.

The restaurant’s full dude, we’ve been here 15 minutes. Chill.”

6. Road trip!

“A long road trip with friends. It’s a bonding experience being in a little metal box with a group of friends for hours at a time trying to get somewhere together.

You’ll drive each other crazy, you’ll make each other laugh, it’s truly a wonderful experience.”

7. A new experience.

“Living abroad for at least half a year.

This is especially true, if it other country has a completely different culture than your home country. If you are for example are an US American, try to live in China for a while.

They are always looking for English teachers and pay good money if you are certified and have experience.”

8. Intense.

“Handling the dead.

Military service provided me plenty of experiences. By no means was it pleasant or enjoyable, but it changed my perspective about the simple yet strict difference between alive and dead.

Those experiences placed my own mortality at the forefront of my mind.”

9. All three.

“Win a fight.

Lose a fight.

Walk away from a fight.

I’ve put someone in the hospital and I’ve been put in the hospital. Both experiences sucked. I thought I killed a guy in one and then had tons of medical bills when I got my ass kicked.

Now it takes a lot for me to get angry if someone is being mouthy because I’ve been on both sides; I know that I can really fuckin hurt someone or get badly hurt myself and words are not worth either of those outcomes.

Just brush it off!”

10. Humbling.

“Poverty.

You learn to appreciate the smallest things in life, and learn that at the end these are the only things that actually matter.

Food, shelter, and a sense of safety.”

11. Get back up again.

“This might sound count-intuitive to the question, but my answer is “losing a career job”. Now, hear me out.

Most people think they’re smart, good at life skills, and can generally get by, but when you lose your job all of this is put to the test.

It forces you to really pay attention to how you spend your money, it forces you to focus on bills and when they arrive/when they’re due, it forces you to polish up your resume (which is always a good thing to have on hand), it gives you an opportunity to change your life for the better, but most of all it pushes you to survive on your own, giving you the confidence that you can do it again.

Is it a fun period in life?

No, not at all. It’s scary as fuck. HOWEVER, once you find a new job, you continue forward with an appreciation for what you’ve got and for how fast it can all be taken away.”

12. Learning from others.

“Going to an AA or NA meeting, even if you’re not an addict.

Hearing people’s stories forces you to remember that we’re all human and very, very vulnerable.”

13. It is incredible.

“Seeing the ocean.

I was 19 when I first saw the ocean and it was such a beautiful an humbling experience. “

14. What a thrill!

“Skydiving.

I went with some buddies fresh out of High School before we all went off to college, and I can honestly say it changed my life. It’ll flip your whole perspective, and you’ll get a taste of how small and insignificant everything is in comparison to the bigger picture.

Plus, it’s fun.”

15. This is important.

“Volunteering.

Doesn’t matter if it’s for a food bank or an animal shelter or just for a charity event. Volunteering exposes you to a lot of people and responsibilities.

And you come out better for it.”

16. Create.

“Creation.

For most people this will probably mean having a family and raising children.

For others (and a large overlap with the child-having crowd) this would mean taking some idea, some concept, and turning it into reality. Maybe it’s making the video game idea you’ve had since you were a kid, maybe it’s writing a book, or producing a unique work of art. It could be designing your own home, or inventing something new.

We as human beings have an urge to create things, and doing so seems to grant some kind of supreme satisfaction and joy.”

What do you think?

What do you think everyone should try at least once in their life?

Tell us what you think in the comments!