The culmination of our experiences is what makes us who we are, it's how we grow and at the end of the day, it's those experiences, the memories we make, that are priceless. What do you think everyone should do to grow? For me, it was taking time to travel alone.
At first, I was nervous but something beautiful happened. I was and to fully explore the areas I went to with unparalleled freedom, to truly take in how everything saw felt, the good and the bad. It built confidence and gave me a better sense of self. It doesn't have to be expensive, even a camping trip in your own state if you can. But that time to travel and reflect by yourself--you won't regret it.
Redditor Lovingnature412 wanted to know what the most important experiences were to others. They asked:
“What is something you think every human should experience and why?"
Mental self-care...
“Therapy! Even if you don't think you need it, if you have access to it you 100% should take advantage and go. It's just a good way to get to know yourself and what you want. I wish it was free for everyone.” thisismetryinggg
“worth their weight in gold...”
“Having a non-romantic friend that you can absolutely rely on and be yourself with. One that has your back, can call you out and always only wants the best for you. True friends like that are actually hard to come by and are worth their weight in gold.” moll5494
Retail workers would agree.
“Performing a customer service job for other humans for over 6 months, this will teach some people how to be a customer vs a piece of sh*t (some people)." rsplatpc
black friday thanksgiving GIF by NBCGiphyLove one another <3
“Everyone should feel love. Genuine, undying, unconditional love from the same person you love the same way. Its the most amazing thing in the world. I truly feel like a lot of the world's problems stem from people not being loved.” Pussydestroyer885
Birth control...
“A week taking care of a baby and toddler. Just so people can see how it really is. I work with a lot of people who were shocked at how much work it is. Which is fine. But parental regret is a real thing. I think people would be more cautious about birth control if they knew or had experience.” cleaning-meaning
“It was f**king h*ll...”
“A minimum wage job. I was a spoiled a** kid growing up. My parents are well-off. I was raised to be respectful/ humble (never sh*t on other kids for being poor or anything) but I never really understood the concept of 'too expensive' or 'this cost my parents x hours of time.'"
“Granted I never asked for designer clothing or anything nicer than a laptop, and my dad made enough money that the answer was usually 'an hour or less' but my parents version of making me 'earn it' was doing chores and earning that amount of money in the real world would definitely be harder."
“Summer after my sophomore yr of high school, my parents give me one week notice that they're cutting me off completely for the summer. Wish they gave me more heads up, but whatever. I managed to find a job as a dishwasher in a retirement home."
"Paid just under $7/hr after taxes. It was hell. The dishwashing machine was too loud to talk to anyone. Too many dishes to do to daydream or think about stuff, basically 0 mental stimulation."
"Time moved at a snail's pace. Hands hurt at the end of every shift from hot dishes and lots of chemicals. And I'd look around at the line cooks and realize 'holy sh*t this isn't enough for my pot, gas, and cell phone bill, and they're trying to provide for a f**king family on like less than twice as much money.' Definitely a huge wake up call in terms of how blessed I am and how grateful I should be that my parents saved for my college."
"Also, every job after seemed amazing. $10/hr after taxes to bus tables? F**king cakewalk, I get to talk to people, do more than one thing, and make more money! Delivering sandwiches for Jimmy John's for $12/hr? Dream job. My white collar job I have now? Heaven compared to that even though it's stressful." MrLionOtterBearClown
Pain...
“Mine's another sad answer - significant physical pain. Some people don't seem to understand how pain can reshape your entire world, your view of yourself, and how you think/react. I lived with chronic pain for years (femoral head ground away most of what was left of my hip socket) and I know I was a very different person then.” mctrustry
DnD...
“A good game of DnD. Where everyone is participating, everyone is so into their roles. The DM is strict but not to harsh. It's so magical.” Vladi_Sanovavich
Dungeons And Dragons Flirting GIFGiphyChange can be good.
“Realizing that you were wrong about some deeply held belief.” coookies
It is stunning.
“See the Northern Lights in action with your own eyes. You will be standing there staring, mouth agape.” Platonus44
If anything from this list the experiences that help foster empathy, understanding, and connectedness may just be the most important.
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I love sex. But it can be stressful. I've always found connection to be one of the best lessons.
Communications
GIF by HULUGiphy"Assuming they already know what their partner wants/likes and doesn't communicate or take any instructions."
Melonqualia
Take it Slow
"No foreplay and not caring if your partner is enjoying it."
orangecrushhhh
"I had an ex who literally never wanted to do any kind of foreplay. He just wanted basically sex of any kind for him. He said oral on women was gross."
UntiltheEndoftheline
Will U?
"Proposing mid intercourse."
Immortal_D_Class
"Honestly? With the partner I have, I'd think it was pretty hot and romantic lmao. I'd check in after the deed to make sure he was serious but our relationship is already very serious so it wouldn't be a big deal."
Weird_Spinach
Talk to Me
"Not talking or making any noises. We don't have to dirty talk the whole time or even at all but you gotta let me know you're enjoying it at least."
idkburneridkidk
"I think there's some balance between having some small talk, silence, and dirty talk while being in bed with someone. Or maybe that's just been my experience. I don't know--I think there's some fun in trying to carry a side conversation while having sex lol."
BranTheBrokens
Experts
"Friction isn’t always a good thing."
KathAlMyPal
Yuck
Bored Larry Bird GIF by SB NationGiphy"To this you can add unclipped fingernails."
Whats4dinner
"And dirty fingernails. Nah, ma'am. I’m betting this is not worth the infection. Thanks."
ADDYISSUES89
‘good at sex’
"I have a feeling most men will say 'lack of enthusiasm' and that most women will say 'being selfish about pleasure.'"
addicted_to_blistex
"I’m a woman and my first thought was lack of enthusiasm, but my own lack of enthusiasm. The only bad sex I’ve had is when I don’t genuinely want to be there. I’ve had sex with guys who weren’t ‘good at sex’ but still enjoyed it because I was really into them."
maybememaybeno
Damn Pat
"They are convinced they know more about what works for you than you know yourself. Just cause your ex-lover Pat liked technique X doesn't mean everyone does."
Less-Market9641
"Have experienced this, it sucks. He wouldn’t listen to what I enjoyed, didn’t want me to say ANYTHING even if it hurt or wasn’t working, and would just say something along the lines of 'every other woman I’ve been with liked it.' I’m thinking, all you’ve had are one-night stands, really, so they probably didn’t say anything."
"I’ve had numerous partners and love sex. Crashed and burned with this one and he really crushed my self-esteem and sexual confidence."
Proper-Beach8368
I KNOW!!
"The biggest thing is always going to be selfishness and the inability/refusal to communicate and listen to your partner. I've seriously had a guy yell 'I KNOW HOW TO DO IT!' when I was trying to tell him how I liked whatever he was doing. He then got even more upset when I said 'did you just f**king yell at me? Alright, off, I'm done.'"
drunky_crowette
Flavors
Amanda Seales Wow GIF by truTVGiphy"Lack of variety. Don't get me wrong, I don't mean crazy kinks or positions from the karma sutra, but more when it's really predicable. I has an ex that had this weird routine of positions, it was exactly the same every single f**king time in exactly the same order."
thegrimrita
Sex. Let's be better at it.
Do you have similar experiences to share? Let us know in the comments below.
I'm single because I've given up. And I'm good. For now.
Peace
Snoop Dogg Reaction GIFGiphy"I put absolutely no effort into meeting someone."
grayestorm
"Same! Also it's extremely difficult when you feel so at peace being by yourself. The fact that I have to find someone whose presence outweighs my level of comfort being alone seems impossible."
cheezkurls
Staying Put
"Hard to meet people when you are a hermit."
EchoOfShadow
"Yeah, I describe myself as a shut-in, lol. I leave my apartment to work, I leave my apartment to buy food, and occasionally I’ll bring out the trash, otherwise I just watch Hulu, play online chess, surf Reddit."
Tru-Queer
"Same. I've spent months trying to find an apartment I can afford without a roommate and finally settled on a small studio apartment for $1100 a month because I'd rather living in a tiny space and be left the hell alone than share a much nicer place even with a good friend."
ablondedude
Problems
"I have too many unsolved issues, i can't in good conscience bring someone else into them."
Zdos123
"Idk your issues but everyone's got some crap. Not sure how unique yours are but everyone's got some crap. It's good to share some of your struggles with other people. Just don't open with it haha."
dr-305
"Issues unresolved or not, (in my case) only makes it worse when you feel like you could open up to them, and they just take those to use it against yourself afterwards."
if_itsMolly
Isolated
"I hardly go out and expose myself to people. I'm uncomfortable with the notion of myself being in a relationship at this point. Also, I'm very dry in terms of personality."
Torturephile
"I spent a year entirely isolated due to covid and now I can't handle physical contact. It makes me really uncomfortable and a hug is enough to make my body shut down. I'm hopeless."
DinoHunter64
Captain America Lol GIF by mtvThat's funny. But it feels oddly true.
Think Winnie The Pooh GIFToxic
"Last relationship was so toxic, I've sworn off dating, at least for awhile. I haven't had this much free time in ages. It's nice."
"Edit: Hey, it's really great hearing from so many people with similar experiences. Like many of you, I've been taking it in stride and focusing on bettering myself, both physically and mentally. It's done wonders for my health and I feel a whole lot better. I wish y'all the very best. Stay excellent, my friends."
muchkoku
Alone Forever
"I'm 35yr old single father to a 5yr old and I work nights. It's hard to find free time to meet someone, especially in my area. If I do have free time to myself, I like staying home and ordering a pizza while drinking some beers and playing video games. I pretty much faced the fact that I will probably be alone for the rest of my life."
No_Leader_2711
taking space
"I was in an 8 year relationship (married for two) to my high school sweetheart. Exactly this same time last year, we got divorced because I found out he was cheating on me with my best friend. The best friend I had known LONGER than him and was friends with since fourth grade."
"She was living with us to try to get back on her feet. Yeah lol. So I lost my best friend and the man I had been with for 8 years within the same night. So I moved to another state, got an apartment by myself, and am now single and divorced all by 26. Not really looking unless the right person comes along."
"It’s pretty happy and peaceful now that they’re both out of my life though honestly. You realize people’s toxicity and flaws the most once you get space away from them."
yodacat24
Bad Loop
Seth Meyers Whatever GIF by Late Night with Seth MeyersGiphy"Because my relationships end before they even begin."
_uberwench_
"This is my story right here."
xxshole
Alright. Now that we've laid out all the excuses, let's get to matching with some people.
Overcome with joy
"In all reality?"
"Probably cry for about 30 minutes because the biggest existential fear at the very core my humanity has now been lifted."
"If Heaven exists, like 50% of the awesomeness is just the very fact that it exists."
heaven gate GIF by South Park GiphyA re-match long in the making
"Ask my childhood friend Kevon for a race."
"He used to beat me handily when were younger (9-13) and he’d always brag."
"When I got older and faster I moved away so I was never able to race him again."
"We arranged for a race but he was shot multiple times and bound to a wheelchair until he passed a few years ago."
"I wanna race him both in our prime."- Abethegreat1
Reunite with loved ones
"Find my husband, give him a huge hug and never let go again."
"Live our forever together."
"I f*cking love him and miss him so much."- jessdfrench
"Embrace my sweet wife and tell her how proud I am of the kids."- RifleShower
"Try to find my brother."
"Man, I miss him."
"He died in 2020 at age 34."- grummlinds1
Miss U GIF by GIPHY Studios OriginalsAchieve the "firsts" we never got to do
"Find my son and have a beer with him."
"Something we never got to do in real life."- tanukis_parachute
Hone new skills
"Try to play Smoke on the water on my harp."- Ashtar-the-Squid
Care Free Black Girls GIF by AuroraDrawsLive on without pain
"Enjoy my healthy back without pain."- Knackbein_
Who knows what's in store for us after our lives come to an end.
But living with the idea that something wonderful awaits when our time has come is all people need to continue to live their lives to the fullest, and treat others with the respect and kindness they deserve.
Ironically, something you likely don't think about...
"Your brain blocks you from feeling your organs moving around inside you."- Aydengeist06
Try watching Finding Nemonow...
"Only one in a thousand sea turtles born actually make it to adulthood."- Sebs_123
Shocking new light on an age old classic
"In the books, Stuart Little was never explicitly called a mouse."
"He's pretty much described as a deformed mouse-esque person born form human parents."- Red_Beard47
stuart little mouse GIF by VIASAT3GiphyNature running it's course...
"There's a bird that feeds its younger offspring to the eldest."- Teacup_Cult
I have no allergies... yet
"Speaking from personal experience here, but your body can randomly decide to become allergic to damn near everything edible at any time."
"Not very fun."- smallemochick
Those poor, innocent creatures.
"In some regions of Australia, 90 percent of koalas have chlamydia, which poses a threat to the species' extinction unless a vaccine is created or widespread koala culling takes place."- tiffanyjcruse
koalas kiss GIFGiphyThey'd still be here if they weren't so delicious...
"The giant tortoise was so delicious, it caused not only itself to be hunted to extinction, but also the dodo."
"Giant tortoise meat was supposedly better tasting than chicken."
"It's fat tasted better spread on bread than butter."
"Also, it was the perfect food for sailors at the time, as their bladders stored 1 litre of purified water, and they could survive without food in hibernation for almost a whole year in the hull of a ship."
"Not to mention, because they evolved without humans, they were easy to hunt."
"You could tie one to your back, and roll another to the ship and they would just let you."
"It was so delicious, they went unrecorded for a long time because expeditions to bring living samples of wildlife to Europe kept eating them on the way."
"Conversely, the dodo, while as easily captured by sailors, tasted awful."
"It was completely unpalatable."
"HOWEVER, one day, someone discovered if you cooked dodo meat in the more delicious tortoise fat, it tasted just like chicken."
"So now, sailors were hunting a few tortoises at a time for their fat and water, storing them, and then hunting dodos on the daily."
"Overhunting, plus the introduction of rats to the environment (because sailors) which would eat eggs, led go the population to decline at a rate they could not breed to keep up, leading to both animals going extinct."- Kyhan
Don't forget the nose plugs
"Antarctica smells like penguin poop."
"Antarctica is a desert, it is too cold for bacteria to live."
"Nothing there to clean up penguin droppings."
"If you are close enough to see penguins, you will also smell them."- gummby8
Makes those long lines so worth it...
"The TSA missed 96% of contraband during an inspection in 2015."- omegasix321
All Falls Down Tsa GIF by Kanye WestGiphyTruly tragic.
"The person who had the first facial transplant had her face chewed up by her Labrador dog while asleep due to sleeping pill overdose." - User Deleted
It's hard not to read some of these "fun facts" and wonder if there should be an alternative term for the facts which aren't fun.
Alternative facts?
Oh yeah, probably not....