Being Spontaneous Isn’t as Simple as It Seems

What was the last spontaneous thing you did? Maybe you suddenly decided to treat yourself to ice cream, bought those shoes that have been calling your name, or went for a drive on a nice day simply because you felt like it.

I enjoy a bit of spontaneity from time to time. It’s exciting and refreshing to do something fun on a whim. But even though I like being spontaneous, it’s not always a realistic option for me. Pretty much everything I do needs to be carefully planned and prepared for.

Outings of any sort require a great deal of effort, even just to get out the door. I can’t go anywhere by myself, so I first need to make sure someone is available to drive my wheelchair van and stay with me at my destination. Sometimes these roles are filled by two separate people. Either way, I always need to coordinate my schedule with at least one other person’s.

Before we leave the house, I will need someone to pack up my cough assist and suction machines as well as an assortment of emergency medical supplies. We also need to remember the essentials, such as cellphones, sunglasses, wallets, and car keys.

It probably sounds like everything has been planned and accounted for at this point, right? Not quite.

There are still a few more things that need consideration. Will the location be wheelchair accessible? Is there something we can do to make it more accessible? Do I have enough energy to go do that right now? How long can we stay before I need to go home to do my next breathing treatment routine? What will be the best course of action if I start to have a hard time breathing while we’re there? Whenever possible, these kinds of questions are best answered ahead of time.

Did simply reading about all of that planning make you tired? Yeah, me too. And that’s just what goes into a mere trip to the grocery store or lunch at a local cafè.

There’s certainly nothing wrong with thoroughly planning your days. Some people prefer it, and I appreciate how it tends to keep things organized. But I also look forward to the little opportunities that add just a taste of spontaneity to our lives.

Most of the time, it’s small things like stopping to get a seasonal coffee after a morning appointment. While I love the crazy idea of being able to go on a spontaneous road trip, sometimes those little moments are all it takes to satisfy the laidback part of my soul.

Do you find it difficult to be spontaneous? What do you do to add a taste of spontaneity to your life? Tell us about it in the comments below!

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Note: SMA News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of SMA News Today, or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to spinal muscular atrophy.