Spontaneity. Is it Good or Consequential?

People think too much.

Yes, we have a brain for a reason, but sometimes split second decisions can have the sweetest outcomes. When we think of split second decisions, there are two types. Being spontaneous, and being impulsive. 

There’s a difference between being spontaneous and impulsive. Impulsivity is doing without any thought to possible outcomes. It’s short-term, and without conscious decision making. We’re impulsive when we aggressively approach someone who accidentally split our drink in a busy bar.

Being spontaneous however, includes some thought to an outcome before diving in. It’s more long-term, thinking ahead to what would make us happy in the future, and not overthinking the little barriers. We’re spontaneous when we book a weekend trip on the whim, and don’t worry about not having an itinerary planned out. As long as we get there, it’ll be a good time. 

Impulsivity= consequences, spontaneity=lasting memories.

So I’m writing this to tell you, be spontaneous.

Seriously, it’s fun. Don’t worry about the little kinks, they’ll work themselves out.

Last weekend, I made a spontaneous decision. I was asked Thursday to be in a relay race Friday through Saturday. Not having run in quite a while, I was concerned but still eager for the challenge. I had work Friday afternoon, as well as Saturday morning, but those were little kinks. No worries.

So I did it. 

I subbed for some guy and ran 11 miles in a group relay over the course of the night into early Saturday morning. 

I wanted to die.

Okay, not seriously, but as I was running my first 6 mile leg on a dark twisted trail in the woods at 2 AM, after hard falls twice on my bad knee, I really wanted to. 

Maybe that example isn’t backing my push to be more spontaneous, but in the end I was elated that I had done it. It was a great experience I wouldn’t have otherwise done had I not been asked last minute. I would have talked myself out of the idea, but instead I jumped into it wholeheartedly and it’s something I plan on doing again in the future.

The best things in life are spontaneous. A last minute beach trip, booking a flight a week out without planning specific activities. These are the things that you laugh at excitedly like, ‘wow, I can’t believe I just did that.’

I did that.

A sense of euphoria comes with these decisions. And when I say that, I’m not always meaning in a monumental way. These decisions don’t need to be life changing. They can be as silly as jumping into a pool at midnight with all your clothes on. 

Whatever it is, go all in. Make more spontaneous decisions. Your life is a movie, and you are obviously the main character. And the main character dances in the rain, or suddenly decides to sing karaoke in a crowded room. High School Musical style.

So don’t overthink things. Don't worry about the minute details. It’s all bigger picture stuff. Go create a little movie moment, just for you.