Spontaneously Planned?

We all make plans with friends and family, sometimes it can be months in advance and other times it can be spontaneous. Are you more of a planner than a spur of the moment, make a plan kind of person.

I like to plan and have several things in my diary. However, I love spontaneity, I love the idea of just getting up one morning and jumping in the car and going away for the weekend with nothing planned, in the hope that we find somewhere to stay for the night or the weekend. However, having a cat, I need to ensure she will be cared for, so this is something that has to be vaguely planned.

Back when I was in my late teens and early twenties, it was all spontaneity and plans where not very far in advance. With age, comes responsibilities and being spontaneous is less likely, also having a husband who travels a lot, means even planning can be difficult. So there needs to be a balance!

I want to enjoy myself and spent time with people I like and most of the time, things have to be planned in advance.

But, maybe there is a way round it, maybe you can plan a date in advance and be spontaneous on that day or weekend. Maybe doing what you want with that person on that day makes it spontaneous. Planning so far in advance, can often mean you are not in the mood to do what is planned, you may have to force yourself to be in that space. And it can often lead to last minute cancellations. You want to want to do what you are doing!

So, you have a date in the diary but instead of being prescriptive and say let’s meet at 11am and we will have lunch at 1pm and go for a walk at 3pm, you say, come over at lunchtime. Then see where the day takes you, and what you are you in the mood to do that day, it could be something completely random you haven’t done before or it could be a usual activity. You could mix up your usual by going somewhere else to do it. Why not hop in the car and instead of always going in the same direction, you go in another, or take a random road, with sat nav and phones, you will never get lost, just ensure, you have enough petrol! Take some snacks with you too….just in case! (There is the planning again!)

On the other hand, there is nothing wrong with being a planner, we plan in order to spend our time doing things we love and being with people we love. We plan because we are busy people, our social lives are hectic, we want something fun to look forward to and our diaries can fill up. Also, if you have kids you will probably be busy with after school activities, sports, birthday parties etc so you will plan ahead to ensure you know when you are free and can do the things you want with friends. Plus being a planner means you are always on top of what’s happening when and where you are meant to be.

I like to do random things and would love to be more spontaneous so I think this is something I am going to challenge myself too. Instead of planning I will take each day as it comes and do what I want when I want! Sounds simple, and it is, but other people may not see it that way, it’s not just about saying yes to opportunities to be spontaneous, it truly has to be for me, to saying yes to opportunities to do things I want and to spend time with people I want. Life is too short to spend it, with people that drain you, or are just not your cup of tea. So be kind to yourself and allow you to do things spontaneously or planned with those that you love!

Have a think, what areas in your life can you be more spontaneous? I am certainly going to do this! Maybe you want to be more of a planner? Just make sure you are not over planning to the point where you have no free time for you and end up thinking ahead to the next thing on your schedule, enjoy the moment and enjoy your life.

Have a magical week 😍

Love Emma

Xx