Despite all of this though, I can't overstate the beneficial effects that a dozen of experiences spread across a decade had on me. From a grumpy loner, to a compassionate human being who can't get angry anymore (and no, I'm not apathic), the absolutely REAL experience of losing all of this, made me pretty much fall in love with life, and at the same time made me more light-hearted with it. It's hard to explain, but once you experience something as real as the only real thing you thought there was (life), you start questioning it quite a lot and to take it a bit less seriously.
Maybe I simply grew up. But when I think of this change, these experiences are the first thing that comes to mind.
Please be responsible and careful with these experiences. You don't want to waste a good opportunity for growth.