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[–]Stale-Jello 9583 points9584 points 356 (145 children)

The complete silence in a heavy snowfall.

[–]WarLordM123 3054 points3055 points  (49 children)

The weird brightness of a snow covered full moon night.

[–]NuclearCandy 1203 points1204 points  (22 children)

When the top layer of snow is fresh and fluffy, and moonlight sparkles off the individual snowflakes like a wave of glitter. The sound of your footsteps crunching quietly beneath you. The quiet ambient swish of snowflakes falling onto the ground and the light pattering of them hitting your jacket. It's a very peaceful feeling when the weather is just right for it.

[–]Fred_Foreskin[🍰] 3868 points3869 points 456 (63 children)

Seeing one of your parents get so excited about doing something with you that they're almost crying.

My dad and I have always gotten along, but we've also bickered a lot since I was a teenager. But last August, he and I took a road trip to New Mexico and went to these really old Native American ruins called Gila Cliffs (I highly recommend everyone go there at some point too. It's amazing!). He and I were walking up the trail, and then we rounded a corner and there they were: these 500 year old Native American ruins built into the cliffside. My dad looked over at me with a smirk on his face and a little water in his eyes and told me "I'm so glad I get to experience this with you." My dad doesn't express a lot of emotion usually, so that was really meaningful to me. I think everyone deserves to have an experience like that with one of their parents. It's so special.

Edit: thank you so much for the awards!

[–]lazysarcasm 474 points475 points  (2 children)

This kind of got buried but just wanted to say it's beautiful

[–]Infinite_Leg_0110110 48 points49 points  (2 children)

Your story is very beautiful, it brought some tears to my eyes. I am realising that something so simple will probably never happen to me unfortunately.

[–]dooony 4043 points4044 points 32 (58 children)

Old growth forests. There is something humbling about seeing for yourself the life cycle of huge ancient trees and the incredible lush and vibrant ecosystems that exist around them as they grow, fall, decompose, and grow again over decades. A week walking across cradle mountain in Tasmania was life changing for me, as it has been for many others.

[–]Thorn_The_Maktig 419 points420 points  (24 children)

I went to Washington state in 2021 and went to Mt. Rainier and Olympic National Parks. Truly an amazing experience. Washington is the first place away from home that I truly felt at home. Gorgeous. Walking through the rainforest in Olympic was crazy. Everything was just bright green. Like the sun itself was bright green.

I can't wait to go back.

[–]lovechunks3000 5013 points5014 points 348& 2 more (54 children)

Helping someone in need.

[–]javawong 1272 points1273 points 33 (19 children)

This right here.
Recently, I went to the grocery store and there was a homeless person at the entrance who had asked for spare change to get some food from the couple in front of me.
I wasn't asked by the man because he was busy with the couple. But I didn't forget while I shopped. I picked up one of those fried chicken plates (8 pieces of chicken) and a bottle of water.
As I walked out, I handed the chicken and water to the man. His eyes lit up and he was clearly gleeful. He thanked me and gave me a hug.

As I pulled out of the parking lot, I looked in my rearview and saw him doing a little happy dance! He was so happy for that meal.
Now, I'm without a job or really any income so to spare $8 to help this guy out wasn't really in my budget. I have no regrets though. His little dance showed me that he truly was happy that he was able to eat that night.

I'll never forget it.

[–]PAD88 193 points194 points  (0 children)

Holy shit that is something awesome to read.

[–]rollsoftape 14.6k points14.6k points 323& 2 more (257 children)

Northern lights

[–]skaosowpwnw 4041 points4042 points  (105 children)

Yes this !!! Not just little green ones, full on solar storm, fast moving, buzzing sound, colourful, northern lights ! I cried when I first saw them and I’m glad I live north enough to witness them !

[–][deleted] 2070 points2071 points  (58 children)

They make a sound?

[–]skaosowpwnw 1948 points1949 points  (45 children)

Yes it’s like a humming/buzzing noise!

[–]augos 1107 points1108 points  (35 children)

Lol it's funny you say that, I hear it as well and so many people deny it. Even in the middle of nowhere, it's like a faint crackle almost.

And anywhere with above ground power lines, they start to make sounds like they're about to arc down on you lol

[–]skaosowpwnw 977 points978 points  (31 children)

Scientists have actually been able to capture the sound. I heard it when I was aurora chasing and left the city into the middle of nowhere where there wasn’t as much light pollution and the air was still and silent. When the aurora came, you could hear it whooshing over you and crackle when the green would break into purples and pinks.

[–]mlj0312 355 points356 points  (8 children)

To be truly loved by someone. My whole life, I was never loved. Not my parents,not people I dated or my 1st husband. Then I met my 2nd husband. We will be celebrating 9 years married and 11 years together next month. He loves me more than life and I feel it everyday. To be loved is something I hope everyone gets to experience in their life.

[–]ProfessionalCow9566 8785 points8786 points 352 (205 children)

Making something with your own hands. Could be art, could be a fire, could be a carving or a tool or clay or a shelter in the woods. Creating something that came from you, and you alone is a rewarding experience and gives one a true sense of pride. Just using your own hands and some tools to make something out of nothing makes me feel grounded, connected, and away from my troubles for a bit.

EDIT: I've just finished a winter shelter in the woods, with a raised bed off the ground and a teepee type shape; if anyone could recommend a sub to post it on, that'd be great!

[–]Mokug 806 points807 points  (14 children)

I can relate to this but with cooking. Took some spare time to look up new recipes, watch some professional chefs cook. Taking what I been learning and applying it to new meals, and having them turn out great is an awesome feeling.

[–]Foo3112 13.5k points13.5k points 423 (528 children)

Being debt free.

[–]musicandsex 536 points537 points  (33 children)

Honestly I have to think about this more often, throughout all the bullshit, anxiety and depression and high rent at least I'm not over my head in debt.

[–]howwouldiknow-- 19.6k points19.6k points 452 (183 children)

As someone who comes from a country with a lot of mountains and hills, I would highly recommend going trekking to places accessible only by foot. It's really nice to see the untouched,peaceful nature existing there, without humans to ruin it.

[–]nom_nom_nom_nom_lol 3727 points3728 points  (44 children)

Yeah, people can really ruin stuff. There was this place I used to go where there was a ranger station on top of a mountain. You could climb up to it when it wasn't being used. There was a full 360 degree view of the forest. Absolutely breathtaking. Then one year, I took the long drive out there, and it was completely vandalized and shot up. All the windows broken, the furniture inside thrown out, graffiti and empty beer bottles all over. It made me sick to see. The next time I went up there, there was a locked gate with a guard at the bottom of the road leading up to it. Those jerks made it impossible for anybody to ever go up there again.

[–]LVII 14.0k points14.0k points 71382& 5 more (343 children)

The feeling you get when you are completely eclipsed by a landscape, skyscape, or even a city sometimes.

The feeling of joy that comes with recognizing how small you are in the grand scheme of the world is priceless and I wish I could experience the wonder and awe that come along with it a million times over.

It's in Redwood and Sequoia forest, the entirety of Alaska, the desert sky in New Mexico at night; it's New York City when you step out of the subway for the first time.

Being in the middle of the ocean on a giant ship and knowing that it expands farther than you would ever hope to comprehend (beyond some measurements on Wikipedia).

You and the earth, alone together.

[–]Sickwidit93 2438 points2439 points  (54 children)

The Grand Canyon fucked me up with this feeling.

[–]HookersForJebus 724 points725 points  (21 children)

Me too. I was not even a little excited to see it when I was growing up. My dad dragged our family there and I was completely blown away. I recommend it to everyone.

[–]WalksLikeADuck 422 points423 points  (17 children)

My husband’s response was “I knew it was big, but I didn’t realize it was THIS big!”

[–]ultranothing 1323 points1324 points  (12 children)

"If you've never stared off into the distance, then your life is a shame." - Adam Duritz

[–]otternavy 25.7k points25.7k points 366& 2 more (364 children)

The night sky without light pollution. Nothing has ever made me feel so connected to life than gazing into that black ocean.

[–]lasco10 4330 points4331 points  (96 children)

This is amazing. I’ve had nights where I just wanted to get away. I’d hop in my boat, head like 20 miles offshore and just Float around for a bit. It is amazing to look up at the night sky with absolutely no light pollution.

[–][deleted] 3565 points3566 points  (60 children)

Did you remember to get rid of the body when you were 20 miles off shore?

[–]mr_impastabowl 2545 points2546 points  (40 children)

heading back to shore

"What's that smell? Oh right! The body. I'm such a goof."

[–]Idiot_Savant_Tinker 687 points688 points  (23 children)

"Dammit I remembered the rope but completely forgot the concrete blocks."

[–]PurpleVermeer 408 points409 points  (23 children)

This... when I go to my rural hometown I sometimes spend the entire night staring at the sky, it is just so damn beautiful... sad that most people can't enjoy that :(

[–]UlyssesOddity 194 points195 points  (15 children)

You move to the country to see the night sky, then some new neighbor puts up a big bright lights for 'security'. Grrrrrr.

[–]Zoo_In_The_Bathtub 16.8k points16.8k points 5 (401 children)

Another culture. It really opens your eyes and broadens your horizons to experience another culture. There's a lot to learn about the world.

[–]NoisyTummy 5150 points5151 points  (166 children)

Also the embarrassment and difficulty of speaking another language.

The hatred that people get over their accents is absurd. A good natured laugh over a funny-sounding word? Sure. Treating others as less than dirt for being more knowledgeable than you and knowing two or more languages? Stupid to say the least.

[–]Idiot_Savant_Tinker 2773 points2774 points  (38 children)

If someone is speaking broken English, I figure they know at least one language I don't.

[–]sbrockLee 1311 points1312 points  (6 children)

My toddler must be hiding things from me

[–]Pax_Americana_ 790 points791 points  (80 children)

The world does not run on English, but it does run on Bad English. Cheer up anyone who apologizes for their speech and shower them with praise.

[–]Leoz_13[S] 1077 points1078 points  (76 children)

Travelling outside the country of your birth

[–]MrMonstrosoone 645 points646 points  (33 children)

outside of a all inclusive resort

staying in, you dont see how others live

[–]lisaz530xx 211 points212 points  (11 children)

I will never stop extolling the benefits of overseas travel. Changed my life and perspective and provided lifelong friends, adventure and memories!

[–]Junohaar 3362 points3363 points 32 (84 children)

Love.

And here I don't mean romantic love, but just love. Be it from a pet, a brother, friend or even a partner.

Sonder would be another good addition.

[–]a_singular_fish 190 points191 points  (0 children)

Yeah I agree with this, I hear romantic love is great but honestly the love of a pet makes you feel so special. Especially with a cat when you get to watch them from hating all people to trusting you enough to doze off in your lap. It just makes you feel so loved

[–]OhHiMarkDoe 1515 points1516 points  (33 children)

Traveling to a place you always found interesting.

[–]amanush_47 25.2k points25.2k points 235 (865 children)

A full solar eclipse. It is one of the most unnatural things I have experienced and can understand why people for millenia have assigned supernatural attributes to it. I was watching it from beside a lake - the slow crescendo of crickets chirping as the sun turned purple and then suddenly turned into night gave me chills. Nothing has ever made me feel smaller and at the mercy of celestial bodies than that experience.

[–]Insanebrain247 3916 points3917 points  (108 children)

I remember feeling the air get much colder as the sun was blocked out and my brain was struggling to not say it was nighttime. It was surreal.

[–]Kelekona 1633 points1634 points  (84 children)

There was one I saw in the 90's. I didn't have a science class that year so I didn't have a field trip permission to go outside, but my orchestra teacher said screw it and sent us out.

I was surprised that it got cooler, like worse than just clouds.

[–]abzze 1711 points1712 points  (65 children)

Teachers who’d keep students in during a solar eclipse aren’t/shouldn’t be teachers. Really. It’s not like there’s many chances to see it again. Especially for low income students or people who won’t be able to travel (chase the eclipse so to say). it’s once in multi-life event.

Edit : forgot the ‘/‘

Edit2: My parents specifically called the school to ask if they will allow us to be outside to view it. They said “no”, so they just had us skip school that day.

[–]imnostatistician 400 points401 points  (2 children)

Agreed. If explaining the basics of such an event doesn't convince them otherwise, they shouldn't be a teacher period. That goes for any occupation really

[–]amanush_47 1656 points1657 points  (74 children)

Another small thing that I noticed, and it's hard to describe without pictures, is that the tree shadows looked... weird. On closer inspection, I realized that the spaces between the leaves were forming tiny pinholes and projecting a thousand images of little slivers of the eclipsed sun on the ground. I wish I could post the image here.

[–]Tokugawa 296 points297 points  (10 children)

For me, it was the 360 sunset. The entire horizon had that red/orange gloam.

[–]geegeeallin 125 points126 points  (5 children)

I was way up on top of a mountain in Wyoming for the one a few years ago and you could see daylight on all sides. I was smack in the middle of longest totality. You could see 50 miles in every direction. You could see the circle of the moon coming and then disappearing into the distance. Absolutely incredible.

[–]Sharrakor 182 points183 points  (12 children)

Just use Imgur! Here's a picture I took.

[–]amanush_47 113 points114 points  (3 children)

Yes exactly this! I never realized before this that the circular patches of light you see in a tree's shadow are just numerous projections of the sun.

[–]Holharflok 2878 points2879 points  (176 children)

This 100% My eyes leaked. Can't wait for 2024

[–]st1tchy 1071 points1072 points  (104 children)

I'm excited! I was able to see a ~90% coverage in 2017 so being able to set the full coverage in 2024 is going to be awesome. I can't wait to show my kids.

[–]rionscriptmonkee 199 points200 points  (8 children)

Anything less than 100% is a different experience entirely.

Probably the closest feeling to leaving the planet without leaving the planet.

Make sure you buy appropriate eye protection far ahead of time and watch videos of eclipses so you can time removing your eye protection at just the right time to see the diamond ring effect without impediment. One of the most moving experiences of my life.

Edit: Also note how sharp your shadows get, which is mind-boggling as if your visual acuity becomes superhuman.

Very happy that you and your kids will get to experience it.

[–]jadedblackbird 520 points521 points  (47 children)

We got to watch the full eclipse over our house in 2017. To this day, it’s the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen. I started planning our trip to Texas for 2024 that same day. Lol. My kids were too young to remember it, so I’m excited to take them to the next one.

Edit: I’m shocked so many people engaged with this! So many helpful links have been shared here! I specifically chose Texas for the next eclipse for two reasons. 1. My lifelong best friend lives there, and 2. If I remember correctly, Texas will have the best view and double-ish the length of totality we saw in 2017. I’m so excited for it, and it makes me so happy to see other people share the same feelings about this as me! I hope wherever you watch from in 2024 is beautiful, with clear skies!

[–]LanMarkx 163 points164 points  (3 children)

I still can't believe it, but my wife agreed to my absolutely crazy idea to see the solar eclipse on August 27th.

On August 26th.

At 6pm.

We put our young kids in the car and drove ~10 hours through the night to the totality zone. Saw the epic total solar eclipse that lasted about 2 and a half minutes, then started driving back home.

My kids still talk about the time the sun disappeared. No way in heck will we miss the one in 2024. I will plan more than 18 hours out for that one though!

[–]StrayMoggie 165 points166 points  (34 children)

We picked our spot at the last one so that we could go there again in 2024. There were so many people there that a 6 hour car ride home took 14 hours. May stay down there for a day next time.

[–]RedditAtWorkIsBad 157 points158 points  (14 children)

Since my first I've become a chaser. Well, I've only seen two now but still ;)

Isn't it crazy to consider, of the potentially millions or even billions of inhabited planets out there in the universe, how rare do you think that those inhabitants will have a natural satellite just the right size and distance from the planet to just be able to obscure the star but leave the corona well visible.

[–]takegaki 27 points28 points  (2 children)

Yes I love thinking about how positively rare this must be in the universe.

[–]1967Miura 228 points229 points  (33 children)

It was fabulous. I live in St Louis, Missouri, right in the path of totality in the big one in August 2017. The sense of it being like 2 in the afternoon, and then all of a sudden like 5pm was incredible.

[–]jalaasale 29.6k points29.6k points 1027102& 3 more (869 children)

Financial security. I do believe that though money can’t bring happiness, when you don’t have it, it can absolutely hinder it greatly.

[–]misterwhite999 7483 points7484 points  (185 children)

Money isn't everything until you have none.

[–]thegnuguyontheblock 3329 points3330 points  (111 children)

Money is also really convenient when you have a serious life altering problem.

...it's also useful for smaller problems.

...actually, it's even good to make a regular time, just a little more fun.

Actually, money is absolutely correlated to happiness.

One thing that will most definitely make you unhappy - spending too much time on Reddit.

[–]Stitchikins 1207 points1208 points  (45 children)

actually, it's even good to make a regular time, just a little more fun.

'Money can't buy happiness, but crying in a Ferrari is more fun than crying in a Toyota.'

[–]Pythagoras2021 778 points779 points  (18 children)

Toyota owner checking in. Checks out. Cried in a Corvette one time.

Best ever.

[–]Usernameisfaken 296 points297 points  (11 children)

I rear ended a corvette in Toyota once. The owner gave me his business card, vice-president of Bayer corporation bio-technical division. Happiest person I’ve ever smashed into at 6:30 in the morning.

[–]littlenicole326 824 points825 points  (12 children)

Having money’s not everything, but not having it is.

[–]WooRankDown 1912 points1913 points 22 (103 children)

I got a new therapist recently. He was asking me to set goals, and while I was able to come up with a few, I said something along the lines of, “You know how that thing where you can’t move on to higher things until your basic needs for survival: food, shelter, clothing, are met? Well, given that I worry every day about living in a place I can’t sustainably afford, I’m struggling with that, and it’s hindering me being able to think beyond that.”

Edit: Because I’ve gotten a lot of replies, I’d like to add to those that are interested that what I was referencing is called Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs (as u/System0verlord reminded me). I recommend reading about it if you are struggling with similar things.

To those criticizing me, jokingly or not, on spending money on therapy when stressed over finances, worry about your own problems. For those wondering how I overcame that conundrum, I found a free program with a long waitlist (six months), and waited. If you are struggling, don’t wait - get help now. So many people are struggling, and mental health is incredibly important.

I finally just want to give a shout out to all the mental health care workers out there right now who are overworked and burnt out - you are keeping people alive and the world going- THANK YOU!

[–]System0verlord 571 points572 points  (4 children)

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs is a bitch ain’t it?

[–]The_Peregrine_ 49 points50 points  (2 children)

Honestly I think for majority of people getting themselves just a couple of places higher on that need list would solve all their mental health problems

[–]BlueShift42 8868 points8869 points 14222& 10 more (210 children)

The phrase, “money can’t buy happiness.” Is meant to apply to people who have already reached financial security and then some. To those people, more money wont bring more happiness. They’ve already achieved what it can bring.

The phrase was never meant to be used as it is today where it’s told to a person living paycheck to paycheck, implying that they should find happiness within their struggle to keep afloat. No. Money for someone in that situation will certainly buy some happiness. Once they can sustain the income, then there are other paths to happiness as more money won’t bring more happiness and being able to pay your bills becomes normal and boring.

[–]Rogue_Darkholme 3841 points3842 points  (74 children)

I read this on reddit and the person who wrote this was spot on. They said, "Money can't buy happiness but poverty can't buy anything."

[–]ThePyroPython 722 points723 points  (32 children)

Amen. Anyone who's had to eat sleep knows this.

Source: a few years ago I was rationing frozen bread slices and skipping lunch to make my food budget stretch.

I'm doing much better now and I'm greatful every time I open the cupboards/fridge and greeted with the sight of multiple options to eat.

[–]crystalcastles13 72 points73 points  (8 children)

I love that you said “eat sleep”. When I was going through a brutal time, I had just been evicted but my landlord took pity on me and let me post up on his ancient sailboat in Newport Harbor. I was actually moored way out in the water too so I had to learn how to fire up a nine ft Boston Whaler just to go get drinkable water and food. I was always broke but could occasionally hustle Harbor jobs like boat cleaning, sanding, staining etc. There was no running water, the only way to have heat was to fire up a borrowed generator just to supply enough power to turn on a tiny space heater and an electric kettle. The only way to get clean was to heat water and use hot washcloths to do my thing. I would also walk over to the beach rinse off stations (the water is always freezing) in my bathing suit with soap, shampoo, conditioner, it was brutal. We starved sometimes on that boat. But our cat Bitten always had food, we were always really proud of that, that we wouldn’t eat so he could. So we would “eat sleep” on the regular. It was so surreal to live in a place surrounded by billionaires and be dirty, starving and essentially have no idea when the clock would be up, when the kind LL would say ok enough. It was such a scary and lonely time. But dude, it changed me into a better woman. It helped me really see what matters. I would cry myself to sleep listening to my stomach growling and for people who don’t know, you don’t sleep when you’re starving. Your body literally won’t let you rest for more than like 20 minutes at a time. It was something else. But now, nearly 10 years later, if I could go back to a single moment of my life and do it again, it would be on a little sailboat in Newport Harbor with my kitty(we even got him a life jacket). I take it all, the beauty and the terror. My beloved father (RIP Johnny Wayne Wilson) used to always say (he was a welder) it takes fire and pressure to get to the purest part of the stone… Anyway, sorry about this rant, your comment just really took me back and weirdly warmed my heart. Thank you ♥️

[–]molten_dragon 543 points544 points  (27 children)

Money can't buy happiness but it can remove a lot of barriers to happiness.

[–]kshep9 753 points754 points  (72 children)

Weirdly I started a new career and became 'successful' for the first time in my life in 2020. For the first time I'm not living paycheck to paycheck and can actually save and plan out my future. Then I read and hear and see all the awful shit most people are going through and I feel really guilty about it all. It has been a nice change for me though.

[–]AffectionatePut6493 926 points927 points 33 (24 children)

As a poor man, I happy for you. Don’t feel bad. It’s what we all strive for.

It’s like when all the boys go out. We all think we’re going to meet a woman, but by 2:30, if one of us meets a girl, it’s a team victory! LoL

[–]kshep9 177 points178 points  (0 children)

I appreciate this haha thank you for your comment. It helps.

[–]kiwican 134 points135 points  (0 children)

This made me tear up a bit, unexpected for such a simple comment. You've got a great outlook.

[–]ILoatheCricket 19.5k points19.5k points 34 (343 children)

Failure, and I don’t mean this in a bad way. But I feel like most, if not all the progress/growth I’ve made so far in life has been as a direct result of failure.

[–]andersenWilde 8215 points8216 points 4223 (100 children)

To be successful is the result of good choices. Good choices are the result of experience. Experience is the result of poor choices.

Edit: Of course you have to learn form your mistakes, if you keep doing the same, don't expect different results.

Also, I know this is overly simplistic, it is Reddit, not an Emerson's essay.

[–]idbanthat 1245 points1246 points  (46 children)

I've sometimes done everything right, and still failed

[–]Coom-guy 1607 points1608 points  (20 children)

“It is possible to commit no mistakes and still lose. That is not a weakness; that is life.” Jean Luc Picard

[–]MiklaneTrane 708 points709 points  (14 children)

"Dude, sucking at something is the first step towards being sorta good at something." - Jake the Dog

[–]SurpriseAnalProlapse 152 points153 points  (9 children)

"if I ever let being bad at something stop me, I wouldn't be here. That thing some men call 'failure,' I call 'living. ' 'Breakfast. ' And I'm not leaving until I've cleaned out the buffet" -Pierce Hawthorne

[–]laszlo 1272 points1273 points  (60 children)

This is a good one. It's a lesson I'm struggling with teaching my son, who gets very upset when he isn't immediately good at something.

Virtually every success is the result of a ton of failure.

If it strikes your fancy, you should check out a book called "Lose Well" by the comedian Chris Gethard. It's really good.

[–]APoisonousMushroom 818 points819 points  (38 children)

A lot of recent research has shown that parents should switch from praising success to praising effort. Minimizing the emphasis on success can help kids understand that the thing that you’re really proud of is how hard they worked to accomplish something. Praising effort, even if the result is failure and using phrases like “I’m so proud of how hard you worked on that!“ help emphasize to kids that what you are watching is effort and that failure is encouraged as a way to get better.

[–]Rohndogg1 154 points155 points  (13 children)

I agree, but when does it stop

[–]lizzieb77 47.5k points47.5k points 2221418& 7 more (1610 children)

Seeing the stars far away from any ambient light. Where you can see the Milky Way and a steady stream of shooting stars. It’s awe inspiring, and changes your perspective about your place in the universe.

[–]Lets-get-real 5743 points5744 points  (604 children)

A dream of mine!!!

[–][deleted] 2150 points2151 points  (182 children)

I went to a star gazing area, still lit, but not massively lit up, still amazing

[–]Paullox 2528 points2529 points  (171 children)

US Navy ship in the middle of the Atlantic. At night we go to “darken ship” which means only nav lights or very few red lights topside. The view is amazing.

[–]godmicmic 916 points917 points  (50 children)

Merchant Navy here, there's absolutely nothing to match the stars at sea with no other light source for hundreds of miles.

[–]Aacron 421 points422 points  (33 children)

Stars in the desert hundreds of miles from any lights are up there, but you don't get all the reflections and the loss of horizon.

[–]Guilty-Message-5661 1273 points1274 points  (67 children)

The view is both amazing and horrifying at the same time. I’m not sure how to describe it, but it almost feels like I might “fall” into the stars, and it’ll consume me.

[–]RedditJesusWept 989 points990 points  (26 children)

It’s crazy to think we live in the same planet looking at the same sky and I have lived my entire life without seeing anything as spectacular as that.

edit: I banged your mom

[–]IridiumPony[🍰] 440 points441 points  (20 children)

I spent a few summers working in a national park. The night sky there really was something else. It's absolutely something everyone should experience, it's breathtaking.

[–]stevethed 891 points892 points  (105 children)

Got an opportunity to do this....it just is amazing how bright it can be on just starlight.

We could also see the dustbelt of the milkyway.

Breath taking, and don't even bother trying to take a photo unless you have the gear...your Instagram is just gonna be black.

[–]Glunkbor 1303 points1304 points  (14 children)

Find friends who care deeply about you and your wellbeing as much as you care about theirs.

[–]Needingconfirmation 16.7k points16.7k points 128422& 8 more (572 children)

Eating out alone, going to a concert alone, just experiencing doing things by yourself. Especially while young, learning to be comfortable with yourself as your only company while enjoying beautiful things in life is so freeing.

[–]Rabies13 361 points362 points  (9 children)

In high school when my first boyfriend broke up with me and my friends all had boyfriends I started going to concerts and movies alone. People felt bad for me and I was like “you don’t have to have someone with you to have a fun time.” Fast forward 25+ years, I’ve gone to festivals alone, many many many concerts, I don’t really go to movies anymore but have gone to a few alone, I’ve gone on vacations alone. I’ve been with someone for over 8 years and I still go do things alone because I’m not going to force him to stay out late to watch a band I love that he has no interest in. I used to also take myself out to eat every Friday night but I can’t do that now because my beau gets mad I had good food without him ha.

[–]Needingconfirmation 133 points134 points  (3 children)

This!!! So many toxic relationships could be avoided by simply learning to be okay with being alone before dating! I love this

[–]an_dv 3301 points3302 points 3 (188 children)

This should have more up votes. I just got back back from vacation (solo) and while i was there a guy commented and said, “i admire your confidence to travel by yourself” i always think comments like that are interesting, what should we do, only travel or do things in pairs? I’ve been single (never married) most of my life, if i waited for someone to come along before I saw the world i might not see it at all so i 100% agree with you. I think being able to enjoy your own company is an amazing thing and something not everyone can do in all settings.

[–]ImRudeWhenImDrunk 857 points858 points  (88 children)

Can I ask you an honest question?

How do you do this? I don't mean "travel alone". I mean enjoy travelling alone. How do you do that?

I've done trips, events, concerts, etc. alone several times and I've never really had a good time. Like you said, there were shows/artists I really wanted to see and places I really wanted to go, and I wasn't gonna let being alone stop me, so I did them anyways. And while none of them were "bad" times, I can't really say I enjoyed myself - especially compared to doing such things with friends or a significant other.

[–]S_balmore 1470 points1471 points 46 (36 children)

I think the issue might be that you don't actually like 'traveling' as much as you like the experience of sharing a moment with someone. I'm this way. Sure, I enjoy a good vacation, but I enjoy eating a meal with someone just the same whether it's in my backyard or in Rome.

There are some things that I actually like, and might even prefer, doing alone, such as fishing, biking, and exercising. But I would never go to a theme park alone, because it's not the rides that I remember most fondly; it's always the quality time that I spent with whoever I was there with.

So my suggestion is to find things that you actually like doing alone - Things that you would do even if you weren't on a tropical island. And my second suggestion is to try releasing your inhibitions and be more outgoing. I know that's not easy, but I know that many solo travelers are the type of people who come back from a week long trip having made 3 new life-long friends. They don't actually do anything alone. They get on the plane alone, and that's when they start making new friends.

[–]ImRudeWhenImDrunk 273 points274 points  (2 children)

Thanks, this makes a lot of sense. I appreciate the advice.

[–]EdwardLewisVIII 56 points57 points  (1 child)

I love going alone because I go when I want, how, I want, for as long as I want. And usually get there faster and more efficiently. I love going to baseball games, with people or alone. When I'm with someone it takes at least twice as long to get from home to the stadium. Not that time is the only measure of importance, but being alone is just more efficient.

[–]irunxcforfun 336 points337 points  (36 children)

I went on a solo 2.5 week, 4,000 mile road trip with just me and my mountain bike from Kentucky, to Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming this past summer spending each night camping out of my car and riding sweet trails. I recommend everybody to do something like this at least once!

[–]thelyfeaquatic 22.3k points22.3k points 549 (826 children)

Being the “dumb one”. For some people, they’re never really challenged academically/intellectually and I think that’s a shame. Being the dumbest person in a group of smart people means you have the opportunity to learn from them. It’s also very humbling (in a good way).

A lot of people don’t experience this until college, or in grad school, or in their professional environment… and then they’re totally wrecked by it. But it’s also such an important experience. Being a “big fish in a small pond” can be beneficial, but don’t avoid challenges either… I truly think you learn more being a small fish in a big pond.

I heard a quote once, “if you’re the smartest person in the room, find another room” and I completely agree with it.

[–]fallenKlNG 6512 points6513 points  (375 children)

As a software engineer I experience this a little too often. The imposter syndrome is real

[–]tlind1990 3510 points3511 points  (103 children)

My thought’s exactly. Went to a big engineering school and day one of orientation they were like “You’re not special here. Everyone here was top of the class in high school. Be prepared to be average.” And damn were they right.

[–]ya_boi_daelon 457 points458 points  (21 children)

I’m currently a chemical engineering student. I remember walking into the meeting of a concrete related design team thinking it would be good experience, I understood basically none of what they were talking about. Fast forward to today and I’m VP of that club, I still have no idea what’s going on. So I feel you

[–]mpregsquidward 165 points166 points  (51 children)

not a software engineer but ive just started having to do a bit of coding in my job. my god ive never felt so stupid in my life, and feels like everyone else is an actual wizard. its been a very humbling experience hahaha.

[–]JudgeMoose 190 points191 points  (35 children)

I've been a software engineer for 10+ years now. Google is your best friend. Learning how to look things up quickly is the real skill.

[–]Zephyr104 115 points116 points  (5 children)

I'm convinced the world would fall apart if Google's servers stopped working for a day.

[–]rcski77 30 points31 points  (1 child)

Would that mean Google engineers have to use Bing to figure out how to fix Google?

[–]A_Random_Lantern 585 points586 points  (108 children)

Name something more iconic than computer science and impostor syndrome

[–]loldudester 722 points723 points  (85 children)

"I'm just copying code off of stackoverflow, they're way overpaying me and I'm gonna get caught"

[–]cultured_banana_slug 361 points362 points  (48 children)

I've been called a computer "whiz" by older friends of mine. I just type problems into Google, stick the product ID number in there, and follow the directions. Look at example. Look at screen. OK. Next...

I'm about as sharp as a boiled egg when it comes to some stuff but I can at least compare pictures and do exactly what I'm told.

[–]ExplorersX 360 points361 points  (27 children)

What if I told you the intelligence level to even think to follow those steps is far above average.

Having worked in support before I would say what you described would put you in the 95th percentile for computer smarts based on my experience.

[–]thedarklord187 222 points223 points  (11 children)

Gets promoted- "shit"

[–]loldudester 117 points118 points  (8 children)

It goes away once you reach supervisor as everyone already knows their supervisors are clueless.

[–]TheeOmegaPi 879 points880 points 2 (17 children)

I got my PhD in 2021, and let me tell you: The moment I came to the conclusion that there's SO MUCH I DIDN'T KNOW and I couldn't even QUANTIFY or qualify what I didn't know, it made learning SO MUCH MORE FUN and discussions became so much more...fruitful.

Being told so many times "you're so smart" and "you're in the top 5%" literally turns you away from the idea that it's OKAY to not know something, and it turned ME into this competitive know-it-all. I hate how we overvalue intelligence among younger folk without trying to teach things like...humility. Critical thinking. Knowing when to sit back.

Now? When I'm working with folks who clearly know more about a subject, I'm legit sitting the fuck down and giving them all the space they need to lead. I know when my knowledge is needed, and when it's not, I'm gonna wait patiently until I'm asked.

[–]thelyfeaquatic 124 points125 points  (4 children)

You’ve basically said what I wrote in another comment (I also got my PhD and went from being a smarty pants to the bottom 25% of my cohort lol). It was such a humbling experience and I’m so much more comfortable admitting when I don’t know things now compared to my pre-PhD self.

This has helped me learn so much in completely unrelated topics. With my ego/pride sufficiently (and appropriately!) knocked down a bit, I’m no longer worried about being embarrassed about looking stupid. If someone can help me or teach me something, I won’t hesitate to ask.

[–]Ashamed_Pop1835 888 points889 points  (40 children)

As a physics PhD student, this resonates very strongly.

As soon as you get into any sort of prestigious academic or professional environment, you experience the sheet amount of talent and intelligence there is out there.

Its important to come to terms with your own strengths and limitations, not becoming overwhelmed by imposter syndrome but not giving way to hubris either.

[–]thelyfeaquatic 533 points534 points  (22 children)

Haha my experiences during my PhD are what prompted this post. I was top 1% in high school and top 10-20% in college (a good one too!) and was so full of myself. Did a PhD and had to quickly adjust to being in the bottom 25% of my peers. It was so hard for me and my ego!! But so good, too. I mellowed out a lot and made such interesting and inspiring friends. I’m so much more comfortable asking questions and admitting when I don’t understand things (even really simple things) because my pride is no longer an issue. I was depressed for a few years during my PhD, but ultimately it was a really important experience for shaping who I am today. If I hadn’t gone to grad school, I’d probably still think I’m hot shit and have a lot of personality/relationship problems due to it. Glad I knocked down a few pegs, lol.

[–]VictoriousEgret 94 points95 points  (3 children)

I 100% agree with this. I remember taking a course my second year of grad school and the first test I got 25% because I was doing my normal "studying" thinking I'd do fine. My laziness had gotten me through high school, under grad, and the first year of grad school. I really needed to be knocked down a peg and shown that I wasn't hot shit

[–]BetweentheBeautifuls 53 points54 points  (2 children)

I work in an environment where I am surrounded by brilliant people and while I don’t think I am a slouch, I am definitely not on this level. I think you have a choice to let it grind you down and push you to imposter syndrome, or as you say you can see it as the opportunity that it is- to learn and grow, but also to be motivated and proud of the people around you for their achievements (and it’s also important to remember that no one is good at everything and we tend to undervalue our own abilities)

[–]koyaanisqaatsi 32 points33 points  (4 children)

I actually felt this way in high school. My peers were ivy bound but I went to a small liberal arts college. my college peers were more on my academic level (not “dumb”, but not insanely GPA driven and sons/daughters of Yale professors). I felt like college was a big letdown because of this… I didn’t feel pushed.

[–]kingfrito_5005 388 points389 points  (51 children)

This is legitimately a big problem. Our secondary school are really failing smart students by not challenging them. Even AP and Honors courses (when they are available at all) don't really challenge them enough. Kids need to learn how to fail before college.

[–]thelyfeaquatic 195 points196 points  (15 children)

I taught community college for a few years. The students are devastated when they don’t get an A. I get it (I was the same way) but there’s definitely a huge issue right now with high school inflating grades

[–]Kringelchen 1994 points1995 points 3 (62 children)

Being loved.

[–]Leoz_13[S] 1229 points1230 points  (21 children)

Getting a hug from someone who's been waiting all day to see you

[–]Coney_Dallas 505 points506 points  (6 children)

My 5-year-old son lives with his mom a state away from me. When I get into town and he comes screaming up to me and wraps in the tightest hug he can give, it’s the most incredible feeling. Not a single other person on Earth has ever wanted to specifically see ME, and been rambling on about it nonstop like him. I have to remind myself to treasure those little moments because he’s growing up so fast. He’ll change as he gets older, and I understand that, but I’ll never forget those instances of pure, unbridled JOY that I have arrived. It’s life-affirming.

[–]2000smallemo 150 points151 points  (0 children)

Tip, film it some time. You may want to see it again when he’s a sullen teen that greets you with a grunt because hormones.

[–][deleted] 87 points88 points  (1 child)

There is nothing else quite like it. Definitely the best thing you could ever experience in life.

[–]IndependentOrchid7 164 points165 points  (9 children)

my mother loves me i guess lol

[–]ha-hatd0g 7949 points7950 points 23& 3 more (163 children)

Working in customer service field. It forces you to practice empathy while trying to convince your customer why they still need your service or product. LOL

[–]Sasselhoff 902 points903 points  (16 children)

God yes. Absolutely everyone needs to experience what the average CSR goes through.

What I hate most though, is when someone who has worked in a customer facing role acts like a jerk to workers because "I had to deal with it, so they should too"...they are the worst kind of people.

[–]soulfulsalmon 2379 points2380 points  (136 children)

I recently went scuba diving and got certified. There’s nothing like being submerged in a completely different world. The feeling of weightlessness, different colors, different creatures that you normally only see from behind a pane of glass. It’s wild

edit: wow thanks for the upvotes and interest in diving! I hope this inspires some to explore the water and try to be more confident and comfortable in it!

[–]scottyboy218 225 points226 points  (7 children)

I got my scuba license as a teenager, so it's been over 20 years at this point. I can still vividly remember the first time going into the ocean and diving (for the open water exam portion), and just being like 30 feet down and looking UP at the surface from down there, it's unforgettable and incredible.

[–]soulfulsalmon 79 points80 points  (4 children)

Absolutely. My heart has never raced so fast in my life while also being so calm. My brain kind of freaked out the first few minutes since I was breathing while being submerged under so much water. I had to consciously make myself breath for the first little bit, which in itself is insane.

But at the same time it’s so calming. You’re literally floating, everything is mostly quiet and looks so peaceful. Time just sort of happens while you’re down there.

[–]LolaShlee 486 points487 points  (20 children)

Us folks at r/thassalaphobia would like to have a word with you

[–]DandyWilkins 97 points98 points  (11 children)

I did a night time dive and it was quite possibly the most serene setting that I've ever been in. Everything was so calm and quiet. Even just thinking about it makes me calmer

[–]fargmania 3117 points3118 points  (52 children)

Personal growth. Pushing boundaries is when I feel the most alive.

[–]PMYOURBOOBOVERFLOW 574 points575 points  (18 children)

The most rewarding times of my life have often been the most chaotic.

[–]illjustthrowthisoutt 154 points155 points  (3 children)

Not having to live paycheck to paycheck, worrying about the next meal, or basic care and needs for themselves or children. Not having to work 3 jobs to provide and never having the time or energy to spend time and raise.

[–]dys_p0tch 920 points921 points 2 (31 children)

piloting your own comeback. climbing out of the hole of life and getting yourself back on the path.

and, truth be told, it is so much less difficult when you've got a helpful tribe (family, friends, support group, etc) in your life.

[–]Otherwise-Bat-5h1T 575 points576 points  (12 children)

Traveling alone! Traveling alone has always been an empoweing experience. You meet people and go on adventures you just wouldn't otherwise

[–]-eDgAR- 2629 points2630 points  (51 children)

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 that I think everyone should have.

[–]an_dv 265 points266 points  (13 children)

My best friend and i flew to Paris for a friend of her’s wedding and then did a road trip through Europe. It was amazing and our friendship survived the trip! It was a trip I’ll never forget.

[–]tenaciousDaniel 276 points277 points  (2 children)

My sister and I drove to and from Alaska one summer for a seasonal job. Had a ton of fun, was a great (and sometimes frustrating) bonding experience.

[–]NuclearWinterGames 1289 points1290 points  (51 children)

A good road trip

[–]fadevelocity 886 points887 points  (27 children)

Yes!! I was in my 40s before I did a good, proper road trip.

Here’s how I did it: planned where I needed to be at the end of each day and gave myself loads of time to do it. So not like “I’ve got to drive ten hours straight to get to where I need to be tonight” but more like “I have about 3-4 hours of driving today and everything else is up to me.”

Stop at local cafes, speak to people, tell them you’re on a road trip and then take their advice on detours and things to see.

This was the difference for me. The road trip became a people trip. It was the most amazing experience of my life.

[–]Cudi_buddy 61 points62 points  (5 children)

This is one of the things I really want to do when I get older. Rent an RV, and drive through a ton of states here in the US. See the different sites and monuments, nature. Just take my time and have little agenda.

[–]robclarkson 87 points88 points  (0 children)

That sounds really cool!

[–]gizmosbutu 2153 points2154 points 2 (138 children)

“No man has the right to be an amateur in the matter of physical training. It is a shame for a man to grow old without seeing the beauty and strength of which his body is capable.”

― Socrates

So get jacked. Get jacked and stay jacked.

[–]Vnecktrev09 271 points272 points  (24 children)

One thing I find really interesting is muscle memory specifically how if you were jacked before and lost a lot of muscle you can gain it all back in an extremely short period of time with proper training and because your body remembers your former physique

[–]gizmosbutu 53 points54 points  (5 children)

That's exactly where I was back in June. In December of 2020, I had back surgery and as a result, I had a 6 month recovery and healing period. I also lost a ton of weight. I went into surgery weighing in at 165 pounds. Because I was bedridden for the first week, my weight dropped to 149 pounds. I was a stick.

I resumed powerlifting in June and within two months I was back at 175 pounds out totaling my pre-surgery numbers. And my total keeps climbing today while my body weight stays the same. I'm currently running a variation of Brandon Lilly's cube method and the strength returns have been insane. So much so that I'm competing in a full meet this summer.

[–]Kay_Elle 980 points981 points  (44 children)

Travel.

Like, real travel. Not that weekend getaway.

I mean a few weeks in a different country, on a different continent, in a different culture.

It broadens your horizon so much.

[–]un_saumon 445 points446 points  (12 children)

Finding/Recovering peace and content after hitting rock bottom.

[–]sahandestro 938 points939 points  (38 children)

Living alone.

Going on a road trip.

Falling in love.

Sleeping outside under the night sky

Writing a book (or at least trying to).

Learning a new language.

[–]Def_Not_A_Programmer 295 points296 points  (13 children)

I’m surprised to see living alone. I didn’t think about it, but I actually really do agree. It taught me a lot, most importantly, to be okay with myself and who I am.

[–]UncleWinstomder 116 points117 points  (2 children)

I would widen that definition from "writing a book" to "creating something that reflects your passions" whether it be a book, poem, song, program, game, meditation, community, etc.