Life is all about the moments. Some are great, some not so great, but every experience is a lesson that teaches more about ourselves, the people around us and the world itself.

1- Traveling on Your Own

julia-elephant_1723515iWhether on vacation or studying abroad, visiting a place on your own is vastly different than travelling with family. The fact that you can explore a new and unknown city and roam its streets without someone tying you down is a freeing experience in itself. Exploring the city, you not only gain a deep knowledge of its roads and by ways, you also gain a deep understanding of yourself. By walking the path of some place new and unfamiliar, you open the path to self-discovery.

2- Falling in Love

cms-image-004583511First love is everything. When you fall in love for the first time, your feelings are often intensified. You’re immeasurably happy, insanely jealous and incomprehensibly consumed with passion. Your heart skips a beat at the sight of this person and you can’t stand being away from them.

3- Having Your Heart broken

tumblr_nb5w3nJfWC1tf67sqo1_500As soon as your feelings aren’t reciprocated by your beloved, you experience your first heartbreak and all these intense feelings turn into feelings of sorrow, hopelessness and even hatred. But it’s after that heartbreak that the real growth begins and your view of the world changes. You realize you shouldn’t give your heart to any one and you learn to pick yourself back up after being let down by someone you care about.

4- Death of a Loved One

the-fault-in-our-stars-movie-poster-4Being confronted with the reality of death for the first time helps us put things into perspective. Grieving over a loved one is a difficult process, but once you go through it and come to terms with the loss, you learn to value the people in your life more, and treasure the little moments. It’s only when you come to the realization that death is a part of life that you can truly appreciate it.

All of these experiences shape us, and make us the people we are today. It is only after going through them that we are grateful for all that life has to offer.