Spontaneity can be a wonderful way to add even more excitement and fun to your life. It’s also good for the brain: doing something new means the brain has to forge new connections between cells, boosting its capacity. The necessity of routine and predictability in your day can make it difficult to be spontaneous. You may feel that you don’t have time for spontaneous activities, or that you need to plan everything in advance to make sure life runs smoothly. However, with a little bit of preparation, it’s possible to incorporate spontaneity into your life in a way that feels natural and enjoyable.
First, identify the areas of your life where you want to have more of it. This could be at work, in your social or personal life. Maybe you want to spend more time trying new interests or exploring new places where you live. Perhaps you want to be more spontaneous with your friends and family, or to take more risks in your career. Whatever your goals are, it’s important to be clear about what you want to achieve.
Once you have identified the areas of your life where you want to improve your spontaneity, the next step is to create space for it. This could mean cutting back on some commitments or delegating responsibilities to others. It may also involve being more intentional about how you spend your time, so that you have more flexibility to pursue spontaneous activities when they arise.
Ironically, one way to create space for spontaneity is to build it into your routine. For example, you could set aside one hour or day a week where you have no plans or commitments, and then use that time to do something new. Alternatively, you could schedule regular “spontaneity breaks” throughout the day or week, where you allow yourself to deviate from your normal routine and do something unexpected.
Here’s an idea: why not have a spontaneous 5-minute creative session right now? Stop reading, go grab a pen and paper and write about or draw whatever you want – your mood, your plans, your feelings. Go create!
Another way to bring about space for spontaneity is to be more intentional about how you use your free time. Instead of automatically turning to social media or television when you have a few spare moments, use that time to pursue a spontaneous activity instead. This could be as simple as taking a walk outside, calling a friend you haven’t spoken to in a while, or reading about a new recipe that you would love to cook.
Being even more open to new experiences and opportunities will probably mean saying “yes” more often, and potentially stepping outside of your comfort zone. When a friend invites you to try a new restaurant or attend a gig, don’t automatically say no because it wasn’t in your original plans, or that you anticipate that you will not enjoy it. Instead, change your mindset to be open to the possibility of a new experience and see where it takes you. Many coaching clients tell me that something good happened or led to a positive life change, because of saying yes to an invitation to a social event when they did not want to go.
It’s also important to be prepared for spontaneity. This means having the necessary resources and supplies on hand, so that you can take advantage of opportunities as they arise. For example, if you want to be more spur-of-the moment in your outdoor adventures, make sure you have the right gear and equipment on hand. If you want to be more impulsive with entertaining at home, have a variety of ingredients in stock, so that new recipes can be cooked at a moment’s notice.
Finally, it’s important to recognise that spontaneity doesn’t have to be a big, dramatic event. Sometimes, the most meaningful spontaneous moments are the small ones – the impromptu conversations with a friend, the unexpected detour on a walk, trying something different for dinner. By embracing these small moments and allowing yourself to be open to new experiences, you can bring even more joy and excitement into your life. And who doesn’t want that?
Image credits: Shutterstock.com; Guillermo Velarde; Taru Huhkio; Sorin Gheorghita on Unsplash