What happens when you leave a couple of hours on your calendar with absolutely nothing written in them?
A friend suggested I try this recently—leaving a little unscheduled time every few days.
I’ll admit, an empty block on the calendar looked a little suspicious at first.
Surely something belonged there?
An appointment? An errand? A project? At the very least, something I could cross off a list?
But I decided to give it a try.
A little open time.
No assignment.
No particular outcome in mind.
Just room.
And here’s what I’ve been noticing: when there’s nowhere I have to be, I’m much more available for whatever happens to show up.
I find I’m leaving the earbuds out and hearing the birds instead of wondering which educational or informative podcast I really should be listening to.
I notice the hydrangeas and stop to take a picture.
A West Highland Terrier decides we need to meet, which naturally leads to a conversation with the person at the other end of the leash.
I might linger over my book.
Notice a hummingbird.
Feel the temperature change when a breeze comes through.
Or catch one of those small acts of kindness that are happening around us all the time—a door held open, someone lending a hand, a stranger offering another stranger a compliment.
And sometimes the unexpected comes in the form of a friend asking, “Any chance you’re free for lunch?”
There’s something rather delightful about being able to answer:
“Actually…I am.”
I’m beginning to think spontaneity doesn’t have to mean throwing a few things into a suitcase and catching the next flight to London.
Although, for the record, I remain open to that possibility.
Sometimes it’s much smaller.
It’s being available for a conversation you didn’t expect to have.
Taking the longer walk.
Saying yes to lunch.
Looking up at the full moon.
Pouring a glass of champagne on an otherwise ordinary afternoon.
Or simply following your curiosity for a while and seeing where it takes you.
Maybe that’s the part I’m enjoying most.
Spontaneity doesn’t necessarily require us to do something spontaneous.
Perhaps we simply need to leave a little room for it.
There is, of course, still a familiar little voice that occasionally wonders whether that open time could be put to more productive use.
She’s quite persistent.
I’m learning to let her have her say…and then keep walking.
I’m wondering…
What might find its way into your day if you left a little room for it?
