"Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterwards." ~ Vernon Law~

I could write volumes on this thought, And how "Experience" has been my hard teacher. But on the other hand I am grateful for this because I need to learn the lesson.
Some one can tell you, warn you, direct you, to do something, but until you actually experience it you haven't got the idea what it is all about.
The best example is: to know what it is like to have a baby, You have to have a baby, because every other woman's experience is , or was different than you own. And even then it will very likely be different for you the next time as well. That is just the way it is.
And that is the way it is in real life, we can pretend, we can lie to our selves, we can do every sort of thing, but until we experience it we are just surmising, and that is guaranteed to be different than any real experience.
The only answer is if it is important to you to know "What is" then do it and find out.
Going around and asking friends, family "experts" is fine but until you put one foot in front of the other you will not know.
One note of warning, before you jump in the pool of water at least do some research on it to find out any dangers you might encounter. Big rocks and sharp objects might be below the surface, and when it comes to any danger error on the side of caution. If you learn to use your own judgement and it has served you well then you are at least on the right track