I am related to a group of folks that I refer to as “checklist people”. At birth, they were given a list of things to do or accomplish to have a certain kind of life. They believe that this is how to approach all things and they do so in a methodical way. Work a 9-5 to make a certain salary- check. Regularly attend church so that their soul is saved in the afterlife- check. Run every day to keep a fit body- check.
Now, there is nothing inherently wrong with this checklist. In fact, I genuinely believe it brings them joy. I, too, love a good checklist moment. But, overall, I’m more interested in the space in-between. In the messiness beyond. In the moments that fall and collapse and expand.
I have found that the beauty of life exists around and above the checklist. For example, some of my favorite moments have occurred in a spontaneous state that my best friend refers to as “ the no-plan plan”’. This experience, and I do mean the word ‘experience’, is what happens when we allow whatever is ahead of us to unfold organically.
Sometimes this means a late-night boat ferry, other times this means an aimless road trip; a surprise stumble upon a quaint town with the perfect cup of coffee, the discovery of an idyllic roadside ice-cream stand, and sometimes this means you rent a car and drive around Iceland just because you can. These messy, unplanned instances have been some of my best, favorite, and most cherished moments. Moments where I disregard the person I was told that I need to be and allow. Allowing and relinquishing control is my greatest struggle in this life. But, when embracing the concept of the “no-plan plan” I allow myself to receive whatever it is that needs to be received.
The truth is that there are times in life we have to let go. Even though it is scary and vulnerable. Even though we want certainty. Even though we *think* we know what’s best. The need to control every outcome is a trauma response and we deserve to live a beautiful, full life. The no-plan plan is my glimpse into what it means to let go. I have yet to translate this freedom to other parts of my life, but it is in my awareness.
My mission is to figure out how to bring this spontaneity to the everyday. Thriving in the checklist world, and allowing room and space for the unknown. Inviting her in for a cup of tea and a good look around in order to open the door to my next adventure. Grounded, yet flexible. After all, the only constant thing in this life is change. Therefore, I am left holding on to the question of where can I allow more room for things beyond my preconceived expectations? How can I show a willingness to be open to a new adventure? I ask the universe this on a daily basis and I know she hears me and is waiting to show me the magic of the unknown through her responses.
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