Social media often paints a picture of others living extraordinary lives filled with exciting adventures, achievements, and milestones, which can leave us feeling like we’re falling behind. The constant stream of posts showcasing thrilling travels, bold experiences, and personal successes can create a sense of missing out. In this article, we explore a list of things many people assume everyone else has achieved, but in reality, are far less common than they appear.
Skydiving
While social media ‘bucket lists’ may suggest otherwise, the number of people who’ve freefallen out of a plane is relatively small. Skydive Monroe states, “It’s safe to say that about 1–2% of the population has been skydiving at least once.” Many people lack the opportunity, funds, and sometimes the courage to do so.
Seeing the Northern Lights
Often listed on people’s bucket lists, witnessing the Northern Lights in person is a rare experience requiring traveling to one of Earth’s coldest, least hospitable locations. Forbes reports that geographic and weather conditions must align, and factors like light pollution and time of year are crucial.
Earning a Black Belt
While many of us have dabbled in a martial art, becoming a master of one takes years of dedicated practice and discipline. The Japanese Martial Arts Center states that only 2% of students who begin martial arts classes ever attain the rank of black belt. The greatest number are males, with an average age of 36.
Going on Safari
While safari vacations are a dream for many, the high cost, extended travel, and time required to fulfill such an aspiration mean that seeing wild animals in the African Savannah is something few people experience. Most people who have gone to see ‘the Big Five‘ have a strong sense of adventure, high disposable incomes, and low work commitments.
Diving the Great Barrier Reef
A Couple Days Travel states that scuba diving on the world’s biggest natural marine structure is expensive and that a scuba certification is required to enjoy it properly. For Brits, the cost of traveling to Australia alone may be prohibitive, and that’s before considering the cost of hotels, scuba packages, equipment, and food.
Attending the Olympics
For most of us, watching the Olympic Games is an experience we will only enjoy from the distant comfort of our living rooms! Watching the games in person is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that most people don’t have the time or money to realize, with international travel, tickets, and accommodation adding up to a whole lot of dollars.
Climbing a Major Mountain
While hobbyist hikers and local hill climbers may be common, scaling a major mountain like Everest or Kilimanjaro is a feat achieved by only a small percentage of outdoor enthusiasts. Explore.co.uk says climbers must be in peak fitness (with extensive prior training), financially comfortable, and prepared for disappointment should weather conditions change.
Flying First Class
Unless you have a very healthy bank account, paying for expensive class upgrades when flying just isn’t affordable. Unless you’re one of the lucky few to get randomly chosen for an upgrade while flying coach, chances are you’ll never experience the luxury of first-class travel—but don’t worry, neither will most other people!
A Year Abroad
Taking a year to live in another country, particularly a distant one, is an aspiration for many students and younger people, but few actually manage to make the dream a reality. Statista says only 7.83% of students spent a year or more abroad during their studies in 2020/21. Financial restraints, visas, and work commitments pose significant barriers.
Taking a Hot Air Balloon Ride
We’ve all imagined serenely floating in a hot air balloon over picturesque landscapes, but such a bucket list experience is only realized by a few lucky individuals. Balloons don’t operate everywhere, are expensive, and are often grounded by adverse weather conditions. BBC Travel reports that some people also fear the heights and risks involved.
Bungee Jumping
Similar to skydiving, bungee jumping is an exciting thrill that requires enormous courage. Even for those with the nerves to take the leap, opportunity and cost are often prohibitive, suitable locations are not always close, and the extensive safety equipment and supervision make the sport expensive.
Being Debt-Free
In today’s tough economic climate, being completely debt-free is something many of us will never achieve. Between mortgages, student loans, and credit cards, debt-free living simply isn’t feasible for the majority of people without a significant reduction in living standards and educational opportunities.
Running a Marathon
Completing a marathon is a significant achievement that those who accomplish it celebrate widely. However, the sheer amount of physical training, time, and mental endurance required means that only a fraction of people have actually crossed a finish line; according to Running With Grit, only 0.05% of people!
Visiting Every Continent
The Pew Research Center reports that traveling the world is immensely popular, but only those in the highest income brackets or who travel for work have any chance of visiting all seven continents. The logistical planning, cost, and time required to visit places like Antarctica make this an unachievable goal for most people.
Writing a Book
It can sometimes feel like we all know someone who’s written a book, but completing a manuscript is a monumental and time-consuming task that requires immense dedication. Of all people who start writing a book, only 3% ever become published.
Learning a Third Language
While many people know a second language, mastering a third is rare. While being bilingual as a result of having parents who speak two different languages is common, achieving fluency in multiple languages requires years of study and practice.