The balance between planning and allowing life to unfold

Having several action plans prepared can be a way of trying to control the future, anticipate what might happen and, in doing so, minimise potential risks or harm. A strategy for dealing with anxiety and the fear of the unknown, with what we cannot control.

There may be a part of us that is afraid of unpredictability, that finds it difficult to let go of control and that has learned, in some way, that when we are not in control, something dangerous might happen.

And so, in an attempt to reassure ourselves, we plan.

But what happens when our plans don't work?

When circumstances overwhelm us? When something so unexpected happens that all the scenarios we had imagined no longer make sense, and precisely what happened was not part of the plan?

The way we respond will naturally be different for each person. But perhaps these situations can also invite us to look at our relationship with planning and control.

Planning the day, the week, the coming months, our lives.

Setting goals. Achieving them. Not failing. Not falling behind. Always having a next step.

And, without realising it, what started as a way of creating a sense of safety can become a source of pressure.

I'm not talking about living without direction, giving up on making plans or abandoning our goals.

I'm talking about being able, for moments or little by little, to free ourselves from the inner pressure of having to control everything. Allowing ourselves not to know. Accepting that not everything will happen as we imagined. And giving ourselves space to fail, change direction or simply stop and just be.

Because sometimes the fear of failure can become so great that it prevents us from taking risks, trying something new or discovering something different.

So the invitation is to pause and notice:

How much weight does the need to plan and anticipate everything carry for you?

What happens inside you when you don't have to solve anything, decide anything or think about the next step?

Try, for a few minutes, not to plan anything.

Sit comfortably. Breathe. Notice what arises.

Perhaps restlessness appears. Perhaps an urge to get up and do something. Perhaps silence. Perhaps nothing in particular.

You don't need to change anything.

You can simply stay.

With your eyes open, taking in what is around you. Or with your eyes closed, noticing what is happening within you.

For a few minutes, you don't have to get anywhere.

The invitation is simply to be.

A warm hug,

Daniela