“When I remain too careful, I feel my life starts losing its meaning. I’d rather watch, smile and let life have its way.”
We’re told that we’re supposed to plan life. If aren’t able to visualize a future beyond five years or something, we’re irresponsible. I believed the same until I realized life seems almost meaningless when it’s planned.
Over the past few years, I made lists. I finished what I had on them. I felt a bit successful, too. But to be honest, between the planning and getting what I wanted, I felt some sort of blankness.
In the end, it didn’t matter much to me – because I knew what was going to happen next. Always. I knew what I was going to do. So, there weren’t any surprises.
Why planning life is a mistake
We’re all fond of planning life. It feels good and gives us a feeling that we’re somehow controlling and ensuring the wellness of our future. I’m okay with that.
Yet, I simply wish to mention that life loses its appeal when we create a blueprint or roadmap for it. It lacks the beautiful moments and combinations of nervousness and uncertainties.
There’s nothing extraordinary about outlining your life. You know what’s coming, and that’s normal. It can be boring.
But life isn’t supposed to be just normal. It can be beyond ordinary – exhilarating, exciting, surprising, and lovely. That only happens when we don’t know what’s going to happen next.
Every well-planned life is ordinary
The same.
People think they’re smart, while they only limit the possibilities. They kill the chances of an alternative life. What remains after that is an okay life.
You can figure out where you’ll go to college, the job you’ll get, the person you’ll marry, the car you’ll buy, and the year you’ll retire. Soon, you’ll have lived a life you planned, and you’ll die.
Still, you’d find that you missed something, and you won’t know what it was. It’ll be like you had a chance to taste magic, but didn’t – because you had planed too much.
You choose the roads that you want and reject the ones that life had selected for you.
Why a planned life isn’t great
A planned life is obvious.
It’s like already knowing what Santa will bring for Christmas, reading the plot before watching a movie, finding out who’ll win before watching a game or fathoming a magic trick even before watching it.
You know what’s going to happen, so you observe everything with dull eyes. You lack that enthusiasm and childlike curiosity which fills life with meaning.
Although we aren’t used to believing it, there’s something stunning about suspense and change. Especially, in life. Not knowing what’s going to happen next could be a good thing.
Planning life: yes or no?
Plan your life, because you’d be directionless without some pointers. But don’t make it so congested with your choices that there’s no gap left for anything new.
Let there be enough space to breathe, and welcome the unexpected. It’s alright to feel baffled at different stages.
In the end, you don’t need a map or plan to live – you need courage. Courage mixed with a bit of zeal can inspire you to create a memorable life you wish for.
Here’s a tip: Stop believing that anything except your wishes isn’t worthy. Once in a while, be a spectator and let life happen and see how it goes. It could be wonderful.