The Spontaneity Factor

Happy New Year!

I’ve heard a few adjectives about myself in the last couple of weeks, and I wanted to address the root of those comments. I have been told that I am “negative,” “rebellious,” “unstructured,” "impulsive," and “unruly.”

I beg to differ.

I grew up with rules all my life. I was taught at an early age what time bed time was, what time dinner was, what the duties of the week were, versus the activities left for the weekend. I grew up in a Mexican-American Catholic household, so there were always rules! There was a time and place for everything… no T.V., no soda, few friends, no phone calls, no visiting people’s houses, no after-school activities, always do my chores, be respectful, respect my elders, and always know what was appropriate for a "girl" to do and not to do.

So I have all those invaluable lessons ingrained in my inner core. It’s just that something happened when I left home at age 16. I made up my own rules as I went along.

I do know what is appropriate.
I do respect those who respect me.
I am sensitive to the needs of others.
I listen attentively to people’s problems.
I offer advice when asked.
I respect others’ routines.
I value education and work ethic.
I am a perfectionist.
I think I am a good person, overall.

But... I am also spontaneous, lively, a little on the wild side, and I like to have fun. So…

I like to go grocery shopping at midnight.
I go to restaurants in the middle of the week.
I get in the car and travel 100 miles without hesitation, if I have to.
I can get on a plane within a few hours notice.
I can adjust my sleep – less or more – depending on what I have time for.
I plan and readjust plans all the time.
I visit friends on a Monday evening.
I record/DVR any shows I want to watch and fast forward through all the commercials.
I don’t have a set bed time hour.
I don’t have a routine.
I go to the movies in the middle of the week.
I don’t set my life in stone.
I can do almost anything in a minute’s notice.
I adapt quickly to change.
I try not to sweat the small stuff.
I encourage others to be spontaneous.
I have a “live and let live” philosophy.

I believe that as long as I am living a healthy life and not hurting anyone, there is no reason for anyone to begrudge my bohemian lifestyle. I crave change and have a short attention span, so spontaneity is my comfort zone. I feel restrained by routine if I were to follow the rules set in my childhood. So, in 2010, as I factor in my goals for change, one thing I will not let go of is my need for freedom.

~A