Spontaneity can be terrifying. In a world like ours, we rely on time and schedules, it's because of our culture. Work, school, basically our entire lives, are run by a clock and carefully thought out decisions. We are used to having our safe routines, but sometimes, a spontaneous choice can affect our lives in ways that we never thought possible. It can open doors that we were afraid to look at and can change our lives in miraculous ways.
Start by saying yes more often. The first word that many children learn is no, and it seems to stick with us as we grow older. We are used to hearing and saying no, making it easier for us to stick to our routines. Well, when you say no, you're limiting the experiences that you are able to have. You grow by having experiences, so why would you ever want to stray away from that? If a friend asks you to join them at a fitness class, go! You may not like it, but at least you said yes and tried it, expanding your experiences and letting you grow as a person. However, there is also a chance that you love it and you just found yourself a new hobby. If you had never said yes, you would probably be back in your routine, missing out on something that you actually love.
Plan a trip! Being spontaneous doesn't mean not planning, it means facing your fears and apprehension of trying something new. If you've always wanted to live somewhere else, but you've been too afraid to actually move, go on a long vacation. Go by yourself, or with friends. Be in the unknown world around you. Force yourself to talk to strangers so that you can find the best cafe in town or the restaurant that everyone loves. You'll find that you meet people that you never expected and have experiences that will last you a lifetime.
Finally, be the person you want to be. Many of us imagine our lives to be something different than reality, but we don't take the time to change it. Go on a shopping spree, get a new haircut, get a job that you love, do anything that makes you happy. We get stuck in ruts because we stop trying to make ourselves happy and settle for where we're at. Stop pleasing those around you and make a decision for yourself, I can guarantee you'll thank yourself later down the road.
Our lives are continuously changing, so stop making a ten year plan. Take hold of each day and live it to it's fullest. Stop making decisions based on a long term plan, but instead as something that only affects the present. You can always make a new choice that will change your future. Having a spontaneous part to your personality will let you grow as a person, increasing the fulfillment that you have with your life. There's no need to be afraid of anything the future may or may not hold, so get up and go dance, even if it's in the rain.
