When I was in high school, I think that 'Spontaneous' could've been my middle name. For all four years, and my whole time in college, I didn't know what my schedule looked like from one day to the next. I loved it. I ran behind a lot and changed my sleep patterns all the time, but it was great. I loved the thrill of the unknown and knowing for sure that life would look different every day.
I don't know if I changed because I started working every day or because I started my own business (and started to grow up somewhere in the middle), but I am now completely the opposite. My days are planned out (in my head) before they even start. I know when I'm going to wake up, I plan how many times I can hit snooze, and I know what I'll do each morning, afternoon, and evening.
Although I thrive on a more scheduled day, and am far more productive than I used to be (even if I thought studying at 3am was productive), being such a planner can get me in trouble sometimes. What happens if I plan to get home at 4:50pm, start running by 5, be done at 5:25, and have dinner on the table by 6...and then I hit traffic. Or it takes me longer to get ready. Or I see someone while I'm out running and stop and talk. It throws off not just the next thing I'm doing, but every single thing after that. And it drives. me. crazy!
But I know that it's healthy to go with the flow. Delays and interruptions are forever, and my perfect schedule is not. Each day is new and fresh, and planning it all out with no time for extras in between only stresses me out when something doesn't go according to plan. I want to be more flexible, I truly do, but I love the consistency my scheduling and planning provides!
Last night, I was going to go on a run after work, get home, make a quick dinner, and work for a few hours. I have weddings to submit, blogs to write, and so many other things to do. But then Nathan called me on his way home from work and told me he wanted to take me out to a fancy dinner. And I determined not to let the change bother me. Instead, I took a deep breath, thought about going to a nice dinner with my favorite person, and said yes without hesitation. On the way back home, I took another deep breath and told him I was taking the night off to spend with him.
Yes, I have a lot to do. Yes, that means I'll have to work hard tonight and this weekend. But sometimes, some things are more important than work. And one of those things is a spontaneous date with my husband. For those interruptions, I hope I'll always say yes.
