Two weeks ago I got to experience something I had believed to be permanently out of my reach: I got to see Harry Styles in Concert.
For our generation of “fan girls” the One Direction members are among those artists that are a “must-see” if the opportunity arises, especially when we’re talking about the Harry Styles. So, the past few tour cycles I have tried again and again to score a reasonably priced ticket, and again and again I have failed. That is until two weeks ago when I got an unexpected call from my sister.
Her friend had “won the ticket lottery” and gotten four tickets to one of his sets at Madison Square Garden, each under $100. I had known about my sister’s stroke of luck for months, and by this time I had resigned myself to the fact that she would be getting to go to this concert and I wouldn’t (probably ever).
So, when she told me that something had come up and one of her friends was offering her ticket to me, I went into shock, probably for the next two days. Not only was this completely unexpected, but it was also only two days away. I went from expecting a pretty chill weekend with my family, to frantically picking out an outfit and cramming to get all my assignments done before the weekend in preparation for a concert I had been wanting to attend for years. In short: I was high on life.
The weekend was great; the whole experience was great. It was one of the best concerts I have ever been to. I laughed, I danced, I sang my heart out. In hindsight, I also think my extreme elation had to do with the fact that this exciting event was in large part a spontaneous one.
All I had to do was say yes and buy my ticket and it was all uphill from there. I went in with no preconceived expectations about the weekend, I just was riding the high of the fact I was simply going to this concert now. Because of this, there was no opportunity for my mood to dampen. Every experience was exciting one because it was unplanned.
I by no means consider myself an expert planner, lists and itineraries aren’t exactly my forte, but I do, to a certain degree, enjoy having a set “plan” in order before I do something or go somewhere. All the trips I’ve gone on are usually planned at least a week or two in advance. Yes these trips are lots of fun, and the planning definitely helps add some needed structure for some of my longer stays, allowing for moments of spontaneity and adventure are what really make an experience great.
Putting too much emphasis on sticking to a plan or staying in a comfort zone can sometimes lead to more disappointment than the enjoyment that may have been expected to come from it. Thinking back on it now, some of my most memorable travels have been defined by spontaneous moments. From attending last minute concerts like this one, to buying a pass for Disneyland the night before, or stumbling into a local Flamenco bar in southern Spain; some spontaneity has always done me good.
So, release yourself from the expectation that everything in life needs to be properly planned out and perfected. Say yes to that last minute getaway, say yes to that concert ticket, say yes to that fun new restaurant, say yes to spontaneity.