When it comes to planning, there tend to be two types of people: those that do and those that don’t, at least to some degree.
But when you start to think about it, planning isn’t just about the big picture, it can become a part of so many facets of your life.
Take writing, for instance. There are generally considered to be two schools of thought when it comes to writing a novel: the plotters and the pantsers. Or those that choose to outline their story before they begin writing and those who prefer to open up a blank Word document and see where their imagination takes them.
Then there’s travelling. Traditionally, despite being something of a planner in my everyday life, on holiday it used to be enough to book a hotel and some transport and show up for a week of relaxation. But since my first trip to Iceland, I’ve realised that planning does help you to get the most out of a trip.
I don’t mean that you have to draw up a strict itinerary with every moment accounted for, but it’s useful to do your research before travelling somewhere new. It means you can come up with a list of places you’d like to visit, or decent restaurants where you can eat.
That’s a lesson I’ve learned the hard way. Husband and I don’t tend to plan ahead when it comes to food, and we often find ourselves drifting around at mealtimes, wandering from place to place, looking through the window with a hungry gaze, eyeing the menu and asking each other, “What about here?”
There’s an anxious wait before the other inevitably replies with a disappointed noise and, “I don’t fancy Italian/burgers/Nandos tonight.” So we move on, growing increasingly frustrated with each other, before we end up either at the first place we passed or some chain restaurant that we could visit any night of the week.
A bit of preparation avoids the inevitable squabble and allows us to discover somewhere unique.
Of course, there’s a lot to be said for spontaneity, but it helps if you have a talent for it (sadly, I don’t).
So, are you a planner or a pantser? Have your best moments been spontaneous, or carefully organised?
Sophie says
I am SO a planner! But the difficulty lies in the fact that my boyfriend completely isn’t – I always want an itinerary for holidays and he prefers to just go with the flow. I have to admit that sometimes giving into his laidback approach pays off!
Amy Lord says
It’s definitely good to get the balance right! I like to have things planned, but sometimes nothing beats a spontaneous trip somewhere!
Amy says
I just write if im doing work and the same for my life as well. But im trying to change that by filling in my diary and writing many lists. I know that sounds basic but I never used to fill in my diary.
Travelling I would say im in the middle. I will research and see what is there, what trips are available but not book anything and just see what happens when I get there. I find plans change once you get there. It’s good to have background knowledge but to be flexible.
Amy x
Amy Lord says
Sounds like you have the best of both worlds! I like to have an idea of the things to do or see when I visit somewhere new, but it’s good to pick and choose depending on your mood at the time, which you can’t do if everything is booked in advance.
Gaby says
Definitely a planner! I like to plan everything, because if not I feel kind of lost. That works for me in my everyday life.
When I travel, I like to plan too, but I relax a little bit. I have traveled with everything planned, some things planned and nothing planned and definitely the best trips have been when I plan some things. It’s like you said, it’s good to research a little bit of the places you want to visit. It just makes it easier, specially when your trip is only a few days, or you are too tired after 12 hours in a plane and cranky…and maybe you don’t even understand the language! But it’s always amazing to get lost and see where that leads you, I’ve discovered the most incredible places doing that. But I never, never! travel without having a hotel room booked! That’s my rule hehe
Amy Lord says
Oh man, I don’t think I could go anywhere without a hotel room booked in advance – that would be stressful! 🙂 It’s good to get the right balance though: enough planning so you don’t miss out on something worth seeing, but not so much that it stops being fun, or gets in the way of random discoveries and wandering.