What’s the most spontaneous thing you’ve ever done?
of a certain age, waking up is as close to spontaneity as one can get.”
There. I said it.
Because somewhere between youth and “Where did I put my glasses?” spontaneity takes on a whole new meaning.
When I was younger, spontaneous meant, “Let’s get in the car and drive somewhere!”
Now it can mean, “I’m going to stay up past 10 tonight.”
And let me tell you—that is living dangerously.
There was a time when I didn’t need a plan. I could wake up, throw on something cute, grab my purse and say, “Let’s go!”
Now my body wants to know:
Where are we going?
How far is the bathroom?
What time will we be back?
Is there seating?
And most importantly…
What shoes am I wearing?
Because apparently my feet have become the CEO of my social life.
But here’s the thing about spontaneity: I don’t think we ever really outgrow it.
We just get better at understanding the consequences.
At 25, you might say, “Why not?”
At 50, you say, “Why not?”
At a certain age, you say, “Why not…after I check my calendar, take my vitamins, charge my phone, use the bathroom and see what my knees have to say about it?”
And maybe that’s not a bad thing.
Because spontaneity isn’t necessarily about doing something outrageous.
Sometimes it’s about giving yourself permission to interrupt your routine.
Take the different route.
Call the person you’ve been thinking about.
Put on the lipstick you were saving for a “special occasion.”
Order dessert first.
Dance in the kitchen.
Book the trip.
Say yes to something that makes you a little nervous.
Or—and this is revolutionary—say no to something you don’t want to do without writing a three-page explanation about it.
That’s freedom too.
I’ve learned that life doesn’t always need to be carefully orchestrated. Some of the best memories happen when we leave a little room for the unexpected.
Because if everything is planned down to the last detail, where does the magic get in?
And perhaps that’s the real lesson.
Spontaneity keeps us curious.
It reminds us that we’re still here.
Still capable of surprising ourselves.
Still capable of laughing until our stomach hurts.
Still capable of doing something completely out of character…
…and enjoying every minute of it.
So what’s the most spontaneous thing I’ve done lately?
Well…
Let’s just say I’m still young enough to surprise myself—
but old enough to know that some surprises are better when you don’t tell everybody about them.
😉
And if you happen to catch me smiling for no apparent reason…
Mind your business.
I may have just remembered something spontaneous.
And that’s all I’m saying.
Donna
