#1
#2
Bored Panda contacted Melanie Allen from Partners in Fire, who agreed to share her insights regarding the things people should experience at least once and the benefits of doing new things.
“People should generally do things that challenge them, push their boundaries, and maybe even frighten them a little, if only once,” started Melanie.
#4
#5
When asked what would be the things that people should experience at least once, she said that: “Two great examples are embarking on a solo trip to a foreign country and living alone for a year. Both of these adventures will force you to rely on yourself. They’ll make you self-reliant and help you build confidence. You’ll learn to navigate the world, talk to people, plan your days, manage a budget, and become a competent adult. You’ll learn to trust yourself and your skills and understand how the world works.”
#8
#9
Melanie also shared that everyone should experience the whole range of emotions. “We can only comprehend the most incredible joy if we understand deep sorrow. The cost of love is always grief. We can’t lock ourselves away to avoid the bad because we’d never experience the truly exceptional. Life is about experiencing the good, bad, and ups and downs,” she emphasized.
“Fall in love, knowing that even the best relationships end when one partner passes. Adopt a pet, knowing its lifespan will never match your own. Enjoy the gifts of the happy moments when you have them, and accept that grief is the price we pay for the love we share.”
Additionally, Allen shared that there are quite a few benefits that each person gets when doing something new. “New experiences help us grow. They offer different perspectives on life, happiness, and our world and help us develop into the person we were always meant to be. They challenge us, push us past our limits, and help us learn what we’re truly capable of.”
“When we refuse to try new things, we become stagnant. Then, we struggle to adapt as the world changes around us. Unique experiences build confidence, resilience, and flexibility."
#13
#14
And finally, Melanie agreed to share her most memorable experience that changed her perspective on life. “A solo trip to Cambodia. I was in my early 30s, driven by money. My goal was to become a millionaire as quickly as possible. I love to travel, so I booked a trip to see Angkor Watt, the ancient forest temples in Cambodia,” she started.
“I’ve traveled before, but only through the US and Western Europe. I’d never been to a country completely stricken by poverty. It was eye-opening," remembered Melanie. “But what struck me most was how happy most of the people were. They were incredibly poor, especially by US standards, but it didn’t phase them. They spent time with their families, relaxed by the water, meditated by their shrines, and enjoyed every moment they had. I realized then that I was going about life all wrong. Money shouldn’t be the goal. I should focus on happiness and contentment. Money is still important to me, as I realize it costs a lot to exist in our world, but it’s no longer my ultimate pursuit. Now, I’m focused on building my dream life and being happy.”
Also, don’t forget to check out her blog and her bucket list ideas that you can add to your own list!
#17
And i don't mean it like after a near death experience. Im talking about the epiphany you get doing the simplest task or after a bad day. The sudden realization of being alive and be able to feel however you're feeling at the moment is something everyone should experience and be grateful of.
Additionally, Bored Panda was able to get more insights from Annette, the author of the book Bucket List Adventures, co-owner of the restaurant Sugo Trattoria, the boss at buck & co. and creator of the award-winning travel blog, Bucket List Journey.
She started by saying, “The number one thing everyone should do once in their lifetime is to challenge their comfort zone and face a fear. This will mean something different for each person, but it is important for individual growth. Other things are volunteering for a cause close to their heart, traveling to another country to get a perspective of how other people live, and to be surrounded by wildlife on an African safari.”
#19
#20
When speaking about feelings, Annette claims that, “Everyone should feel proud of themselves for accomplishing something they never thought they could. They should feel the unconditional love from a child, the happiness that comes from giving, and the freedom of traveling across the world solo.”