Why You Should Not Live Your Life According to Plan
By: Kristina Segarra
Tags: Mindfulness, Self Improvement, Life Lessons, Self, Psychology

My husband teases me occasionally, saying: “You’re not a writer, you’re a musician,” as he watches my fingers flash across the keyboard.

And I admit, lately, I’ve been living my life more as a writer. Even though I’m a musician, I spend most of my free time writing on Medium.

That’s because after the pandemic started, my life drastically changed. With new limitations in place, I can’t play or teach music like I used to. Being home most of the time, I had to find other outlets for my creativity. And for me, it’s writing.

I’m happy I chose writing to occupy my time. It makes me happy and keeps me sane during these turbulent times. I would’ve never started writing if not the pandemic. I’m so happy I uncovered my hidden passion, which fosters my creativity.

During this pandemic, I’ve learned that when life throws you curveballs, you have to adapt. And the sooner you do it, the happier you will be.

Your life is not set in stone

It’s interesting how life works. One day you’re lying down on the sandy beach, and then, unexpectedly, a tidal wave throws you over and brings you to a different spot. You wake up from your dreamy phase and face a new reality.

Life is like that too — full of twists and surprises. Not everything goes according to plan. Calamities strike. Unexpected events happen.

At the beginning of the year, who expected we’d be gripped by the pandemic? Who would’ve predicted that millions of lives would be lost? But it’s happened, and it has changed the world as we know it.

But here is the thing: if you always try to live your life according to some “predetermined” plan, you don’t account for other things that may occur and you are not prepared to face the unexpected.

The reality is, your life doesn’t always follow a path you choose, so whatever things you think will happen, don’t necessarily happen. It doesn’t mean you shouldn’t plan your life or have goals. It just means you have to be prepared to embrace the unknown. And be flexible and adapt to changes life throws at you.

When you make a plan for your life and something unexpected happens, you feel crushed. The unmet expectations you set for yourself can make you feel miserable.

That’s why you should be open-minded and flexible. You have to adapt to life’s changing patterns, especially in times of crisis. That means you have to bend your rules due to external circumstances. Your attitude will determine how you will embrace the changes, as not everything will turn out in your favor.

If everything in life went according to plan, then it would be pretty boring. It’s the sudden turns and twists that add excitement to life in the most unusual ways.

Great things happen when you least expect them

Sometimes unexpected changes can make your life better. When you don’t live according to the plan, good things can happen too. And sometimes the best things happen when we least expect them. Think for a moment and consider these scenarios:

You lost your job but later found a more rewarding and fulfilling one

You got rejected by one company, but then another one welcomes you with open arms

You quit a job you hate, and later decide to launch a freelance business at home

So when you think life doesn’t treat you fairly, pause for a second and think about how you can make the most of it.

If you’ve lost a job, for example, look for new and better opportunities

If you’re a creative person, see how you can leverage your creativity

If you’re launching a freelance business, accept the risks and be prepared for failures

If someone approaches you with a new offer or opportunity, take it and give it a try — it may change your life

The bottom line

When you live your life according to expectations, if you’re not willing to let go of them, you can make life more stressful.

To get the most out of life, be prepared for the unexpected and embrace the changes as they come. The key to a fulfilling life is learning how to go with the flow and to adapt to changes as they come. Being open-minded and flexible will help you get the most out of life.