Top 12 Life Experiences Everyone Needs to Have at Least Once

There’s so much joy to experience in life. The world abounds with interesting people, breathtaking scenery, and delicious food. 

Although everyone is drawn to different things, some life experiences are so powerful or transformative that they deserve a spot on everyone’s bucket list. 

Powerful Life Experiences Everyone Should Have

As a certified life coach, I was drawn to an internet thread where people shared the life experiences they felt everyone should have, at least once. The answers range from niche adventures to universal experiences of human connection. 

I also added a few of my own, which I developed based on my work helping people find happiness. 

Contentment

One Redditor earned gold by saying that everyone should get the chance to experience contentment and security. 

“Not necessarily full happiness,” they clarified, “but satisfaction in your own life and safety within it.” 

As someone who studies happiness specifically, I loved this answer. Happiness and contentment are two very different feelings. Happiness might be more intense or fleeting, while contentment is a general, lingering sense of satisfaction. 

Maybe I should switch gears and study contentment instead. 

A Support Group

Humans are social creatures. We thrive on connection and community. Every achievement of humanity came about because we work together and support each other. 

A user shared a story about how connecting with others helped alleviate their depression symptoms. 

“I’ve been part of a community choir for the last year, and a few of us make a habit of going out for drinks after rehearsal. I’ve skipped several of our last outings because I’ve been struggling with depression and social anxiety, with my brain telling me things like I’m not part of this social circle and I don’t belong here,” they began. 

“We had our concert for the season over the last weekend, and I decided to force myself to go out with the group afterwards; all those negative thoughts disappeared once I sat down with the group and started having real conversations with people! For the first time, I felt like I was actually forming some connections with everyone there.” The user went on to explain how lucky they felt to have friends in their life. 

The story highlights that friendship and connection are universal human needs. We hope everyone gets to experience that joy. 

Something You’re Passionate About

Whether it’s a beloved hobby, an inspirational idea, a career path, or something else, everyone should experience the burning passion of pursuing something they love. 

Some of us fall into our passions early in life. Others need to dabble and explore to find the right fit. A few folks find passion in the journey!

Regardless of what it is, finding and pursuing the thing that drives you is an unforgettable life experience we all deserve.

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Foreign Travel

I recommend foreign travel even to homebodies. I get that you hate the airport, hate flying, and hate being away from home. But you have to try it. It’s life-changing, even if you hate it. 

Traveling to another country can expose you to a diversity of ideas, cultures, and experiences you wouldn’t have dreamed of. It can open your mind to new ways of doing things or give you a greater appreciation of what you have at home.

Foreign travel is one of those powerful life experiences with deep impacts you may not even realize for years to come. It’s worth stepping out of your comfort zone and trying, at least once. 

True Love

“Being in love with someone who loves you back,” answered one Redditor. 

“Yeah, that absolutely crazy in love, there is no other interest in any other because this person speaks to my soul. Which follows mutual respect, admiration, and blind support and belief in who you are and who you are capable of being,” replied another. 

With the loneliness epidemic in full swing, some users feel like it’s harder and harder to come across true love. “It’s crazy to think that I may never have that. I’ve loved and been loved but not on a deep and mutual level, and I can’t help but feel envious of my married friends,” admitted one user, while others shared that being married doesn’t guarantee true lasting love. 

Being in a mutually loving, respectful relationship is beautiful, but we also need to remember that platonic relationships can be just as fulfilling. It’s not the end of the world if you haven’t found true love yet. 

The Sound of Snow

One Redditor from Alaska said everyone needs to experience the serene quiet of a snowfall. “I laid on the ground, in the snow at night in the Alaskan wilderness, in December; it’s so peaceful,” they commented, 

Others agreed, with one calling the experience the “ultimate quiet” and another describing the experience as “a soft whisper and it’s steadily but gently falling down. Feels surreal.”

As someone who’s lived in both cold weather and warmer climates, I can agree that the quiet beauty of a snowstorm is an event like no other. However, the aftermath, when you have to trudge through 3 feet of snow and scrape ice off your car before driving to work on terrifying roads, is a life experience you can skip. 

The Night Sky

Most don’t get the opportunity to marvel at the true beauty of the night sky. Our views get blocked by light pollution, smog, and other human-created obstacles. 

However, some Redditors said everyone should trek to a remote area to view the sky in all its majestic glory. 

One user shared a story of seeing the sky for the first time as a teenager. “I was 13 and went to see my aunt and uncle up in the white mountains in Arizona. First time I saw the nebulous material that makes up our galaxy. It truly is amazing!”

I grew up in Chicago, and although there were stars, the night sky was a bit “bleh.” A family trip to South Dakota showcased the true glory of the universe. 

Seeing the Ocean

Nothing compares to seeing an ocean in person for the first time. Standing on the beach, watching the waves crash to shore, offers us a rare opportunity to ponder nature’s raw power and contemplate our own significance in the face of Mother Earth. 

My mom loves sharing her memory of seeing the ocean for the first time. We took a road trip to Florida, and as my parents are giant Beatles fans, they jammed Beatles tunes the entire ride. 

She remembers driving up a hill on a bridge, and just as Paul McCartney belted out:

“Light out, Wanderlust, help us to be free!!”

We reached the top of the hill and saw the Atlantic Ocean for the first time. I was too young to remember, but her memory of it brings me joy. 

Total Solar Eclipse

Everyone should see the solar system’s most impressive show at least once. The celestial phenomena sees the sky to turn dark in the middle of the day as the moon blocks out the sun. 

Solar eclipses happen about once per year, but total eclipses are rarer. They occur on land every few years. Because we have such a great understanding of how celestial bodies move across the sky, we can predict when and where the eclipses will occur with near-perfect accuracy, meaning you can plan your trip to view it years in advance. 

Self-Sufficiency

Having your own place, paying your own bills, and having complete freedom over your time is an underrated life experience that can’t be beat. 

Far too many people move from their parents’ home to their spouse’s home, never learning how to adult on their own. Although there are a lot of benefits in partnership, learning to stand on your own two feet and take care of everything yourself is a crucial life skill. 

The interesting thing about self-sufficiency as an essential life experience is that it’s not all rainbows and butterflies. Although most of the items on this list are generally positive or awe-inspiring, self-sufficiency can be challenging. You must learn to handle all the chores on your own, manage your money so you can afford rent, and balance all your adult responsibilities. 

But achieving it despite the challenges is a feeling like no other. 

Failure

Speaking of potentially negative life experiences, we also think everyone should experience failure. 

Society has a weird stigma about failure. We’re so terrified of failing that we don’t even act! I get it, the lack of any type of social safety net, grouped with the negative perception, may lead to steep penalties. 

However, we need to shift our collective perspective on failure. Failing at something is the best way to learn and grow. It helps us drop our egos and discover we’re not infallible. It changes our perspective on life and teaches us how to keep trying. 

People who never fail at anything may coast by on easy mode, but they also stagnate. It’s a life experience we all need to become our best selves. 

Overcoming a Fear

Our fears hold us back. The secret to a fulfilling life is identifying our fears and finding ways to face them. 

If you’re scared of heights, climb a mountain. If you’re terrified of flying, take a short trip somewhere (flying is safe, we promise!). Whatever your fear, take a baby step to face it. 

When you face your fears, you grow as a person and have more opportunities to enjoy your life. 

Bonus: Work a Restaurant Shift

One user took the question differently and said everyone should experience “What it’s like to work a busy shift at a restaurant.” 

They continued, saying that everyone should “have one evening where you are trying to serve and cater to dozens of people at once. You should know how it feels to bring someone the wrong dish or spill a glass on someone. You should know how it feels to work hard af and get no tip, get told to take something back like it’s your fault, all the normal things that happen during a busy shift.”

The user hoped that experiencing just one busy restaurant shift would help others develop empathy for stressed-out restaurant workers and lead to more kindness and respect between patrons and service staff. 

I agree. I think we’d give each other far more grace if we could step into their shoes for a day. 

What If I’ve Missed out on Life Experiences?

You may think you’ve missed out on life experiences, but you haven’t, not until you’ve given up. Everything on this list is achievable for almost anyone, regardless of age. 

The first step is prioritizing. What life experience speaks to you? Which calls out to you while you sleep?

Your new life goal is to achieve it. Decide what you have to do to experience the full breadth of life and make a plan that will help you get there. And if you fail at first, guess what? You’ve checked an item off the list!

Life is for Living

Life is a series of experiences, good and bad. We should embrace all life offers and do our best to enjoy every moment. 

What do you think about the experiences Reddit users felt everyone should have at least once in their lives? Do you agree, or are some of the ideas on this list a hard pass? How many can you genuinely say you’ve experienced?

If you haven’t done many of the items on the list, what are you waiting for? Get out there and start living your best life!