At times it is very useful to form a schedule for a day of adventures, plan meals for the week ahead, or get in contact with friends ahead of time to plot out an evening together. Planning is certainly a helpful organizational tool that is great for time-management, helps to maintain organization, and can lower levels of anxiousness or stress. However, there can be moments when these organizational skills can be taken to the extreme and thus interfere with the joy experienced in the present moment.

In order to remain free to enjoy new experiences, it is necessary to form plans that are not so strict that they cause distress when things go awry, but also are not too loose to the point of confusion or disorganization. A happy medium is best, so having a flexible idea is the key to ensuring that expectations remain quiet and the maximum amount of enjoyment can be experienced.

For example, planning to take a trip to a new city for the first time can be exciting. There are endless shops to explore, activities to entertain, and charming sights to see. However, instead of plotting out entire days worth of different places to go to in one area, perhaps pick one or two places to start, and allow room for freedom of exploration of the area without ties to certain sights. This is where the most enticing shops, breathtaking landscapes, and thrilling experiences are found and everlasting memories are made.

Sure, there is a higher possibility of getting lost in an unfamiliar area, wandering a bit too far, or lacking a sense of control on the situation at hand. However, these are the times when the loss of control is something that is necessary in order to release the mind of its strict sense of organization.

Letting go of expectations and anticipation is incredibly liberating, and its results often cause a great amount of joy. When taking on a new situation with little to no prior ideas about where to go or what to do, revel in the exhilaration of discovery and learn to let go and take in the stunning beauty of the Earth.