How I did it: While in high school I was always quite rigid about doing only "planned" things.  My mother (blame it all on her, oh yes!) was the Spontaneity Queen:  While driving on an errand, point A to point B, if she spotted a plant (read:  "pretty-looking weed") along the road (note: this did not occur on private property, nor did it involve protected species), we'd pull over, out came the shovel, bucket, & old newspaper from the trunk, and...Poof!  In a matter of seconds, the old weed was about to become part of our backyard landscaping!  (One very ho-hum daughter sat in the front seat observing, not at ALL interested, and actually feeling a bit embarrassed.)

Even with a gizillion things on her to-do list, my mother managed to explore the world around us -- whether bookstores, woods, parks, interesting shops, old buildings, libraries.  A twin sense of curiosity and adventure goes a long way in bringing you from merely the desire to be spontaneous to the actual destination of "Yes!  Let's Go...Now!"

NB:  It does NOT have to cost a cent!  The only investment is your time and your imagination.  If you have the time, but lack in imagination, then all the more reason to connect/re-connect with an imaginative person.

While home from college during breaks, I found that if my mother knew any of us wanted to do something, she would immediately start checking the newspaper to spot a concert, a nature talk, an interesting place to visit in an afternoon, or a place to eat in short order!  I gradually found that agreeing to go with her on these expeditions gave me an entirely new view of life, of people, of my mother (of course!), and most interesting...of myself!

One of the best things I heard my mother say, preliminary to such adventures, was "There's NO time like the present!"  She taught me to "seize the moment", and to live without regret ("if ONLY I had made time in my schedule for...", "if ONLY I had bought that __ when we saw it...").  This is a huge gift she gave me -- and to all of my siblings -- and perhaps one of the reasons I so enjoy meeting adventurous, spontaneous people!  Who knows what cool things they'll want to do, what fun places they'll want to go, and you'll be right there for the excitement!

Lessons & tips:

• List the 3 most spontaneous people you know; if they live in your area, suggest you meet for coffee, a walk, etc.  Ask them to tell you the most interesting thing they did "on a whim", and listen well!
  
• Ask these same people what interesting places they have visited in your own city/town/state/part of the country
  
• If none of these spur-of-the-moment people live in your area, call them or e-mail them to get the answer to the above question (first on this list)
  
• Challenge yourself to do at least one spontaneous thing a month (one a week, if you're feeling adventurous, and if you're up for the excitement!)
  
• Once you've completed the challenge, make a note on your calendar of what you did/where you went, journal a sentence or two (or more, if you enjoy writing), or tell another friend/family member about it!  (Also be sure to make a note at the 43things.com website!)  You will learn much about others and their own "let's go!" level, and may even discover a new partner in your adventures!
  
• If you're feeling very cautious, it could be that you need to know that it's okay to have a guideline in mind (i.e., "2-3 hours", "30 minutes during my lunch break", "1/2 day", "it needs to be free", "no more than $5-10", etc.)
  
• If you are venturing out with a "Let's go!" friend/family member, let them know up-front your guideline ("I need to be back in 2 hours", "We have to be home by ___", "I love/can't stand seafood" [if you are about to embark on a spontaneous dining adventure], etc.)  This way you will have positive thoughts/feelings about your new ability to be spontaneous!  Enjoy yourself!

Resources:

• Local newspapers ("Events" sections)
  
• Local websites
  
• Reference librarians at local public libraries are a treasure mine of information! (this is insider information!)
  
• AAA has numerous offices in various parts of the U.S.

May 13, 02:42AM PDT | 1 comment | 1 cheer