I am Type A. I am a control freak. I'll make a list with an item on it that includes a plan to make another list. I don't just have a plan B, I've got a plan A-Z prepared with addendums for each. This is all wonderful for my career as an event planner but in life, its the biggest burden.
Since I can remember I've had a plan for my life. I was going to go to a D1 school, run track, graduate in 4 years, attend law school, be married at 22, kids by 25. I was going to be a sports agent. Married to an athlete. The problem with life is that it rarely follows your plan. And I'm so very thankful for that.
I did go to college, I ran D1 track and I graduated in four. But that was the only part of the plan I checked off. In between those four years I endured injuries and illnesses that kept me from competing, let alone at a level that contributed to my team's successes (Shoutout to my Aggies!). I experienced violence, loss, silent struggles - and they changed who I am. I began to see how little I could actually plan for. Life showed me the only thing I can plan for is how to adapt. So I graduated - and I learned something - I'm a lot different than I was when I made that plan. I didn't want to go to law school, didn't want to be a sports agent. I was nowhere near wanting to be married or thinking about kids. I was 21 and I wanted to make a new plan. And since then - my plan has evolved, I've evolved, and I've learned to let go of the plan a little bit more with each adventure.
Fast forward, I'm 30. I'm not in a serious relationship, I'm not having kids, and I'm in the middle of a huge risk in my career path. I'm the opposite of the plan. And that's both really scary and really exciting. At 21 I was unsure of myself, of my career path, and had no business thinking about marriage. So at 30 its great to be in a place that I like where I'm at, where I'm headed, and most importantly, I really like myself.
So ladies (and gents), I applaud you if you are 21, married, and happy. I applaud you if you're 42, single, and happy. I applaud you if you're 22 and in your dream job and I applaud you if you're 65 and going back to school. The point of it all, is be happy. Don't plan so much. Enjoy the twists in your plot. I'm still going to make plans and lists - but I'll be more okay when I have to abandon those plans for the next adventure. Because as much and I'm terrified of the unknown - I'm equally as excited to go on my next journey, wherever that may be.