I’m writing this as Storm Eowyn is currently ripping through Scotland. I live in a town called Dunblane, in the central belt of Scotland, and the storm has been fierce so far. 

The Scottish Government has buzzed our phones a few times since last night, notifying us of a red weather warning. Scotland has now declared a ‘major incident’.

It’s also meant that most of my plans for the day have been erased. But in a strange way, having no plans has reminded me that you don’t need to schedule everything in life. In fact, some of the best moments in life are unplanned.

Why are we so obsessed with plans anyway? I’ve been wondering about this. 

I think it’s because we’re told that success comes from structure, that efficiency is a key to achievement and therefore happiness, and that idle time is wasted time. That’s the model I worked with for years. It means that many of us fill every minute of the day with work. If we finish a task early, rather than take a break we go straight onto the next task.

But what if the secret to some of life’s most fulfilling moments lies in doing the exact opposite? What if the best things happen when we let go of the schedule and embrace the beauty of the unplanned?

The Beauty of Serendipity

Serendipity—the chance discovery of something wonderful—is often where magic happens. Think about the spontaneous road trip that turned into a great memory, or the unexpected conversation with a stranger that shifted your perspective. 

Heck, 25 years ago, I accidentally became lead singer in an amateur soul band after being persuaded to do an impromptu song at a ‘Stars in their Eyes’ contest because the last act hadn’t shown up and they needed to fill the slot. 

A newly formed band who were in the audience, who didn’t yet have a lead vocalist, asked me to join them. Singing in a band was definitely not something I ever planned nor had any aspirations to ever do, yet to this day, singing with ‘Souled Out’ is still one of the best things I’ve ever done.

Had I not been ‘up for a laugh’ and did that song, I’d have missed out on some incredible memories and experiences that helped shaped my life going forward.

Moments like these can’t be penciled into a planner; they unfolded naturally and they remind us that life isn’t meant to be entirely controlled.

When we allow space for serendipity, we open ourselves up to possibilities we could never anticipate. It’s in these unscheduled spaces that creativity blossoms, connections deepen, and joy emerges.

Why Over-Scheduling Can Limit Us

Scheduling everything might feel like a way to stay in control, but it can also create a rigid framework that leaves no room for spontaneity. When every moment is accounted for, we risk:

• Missing the present: Over-scheduling can keep us so focused on what’s next that we forget to savor what’s now.
• Losing flexibility: Life doesn’t always go according to plan, and strict schedules can make it harder to adapt when unexpected opportunities arise.
• Burning out: Constantly jumping from one task to another can be exhausting, leaving little energy for the unplanned joys of life.

The Joy of an Unplanned Day

Several years ago, I started my first R&D job shortly after I finished my PhD. It meant a move from Scotland to England. What I didn’t know is that some of the bank holidays in England were on different days from the ones in Scotland.

I discovered this one Monday morning when I turned up for work at 7.45am. The car park was almost empty. I was usually one of the first to arrive because I was trying to make a good impression, so this wasn’t too unusual, but there was usually at least some cars.

After half an hour sitting in the lab myself, though, I thought something strange was going on. It was only when one of the cleaning staff popped into the lab and asked why I was there that I learned that it was a bank holiday. The Scottish bank holiday was a week or two later, otherwise my mum would have mentioned it when I spoke where her on the phone the night before.

Suddenly I had a day off. It was like being at school when there was a heavy snowfall and the bus couldn’t get to us so we all got an unplanned day off. Minutes later we were making snowmen and throwing snowballs.

This was my snow day. A totally unexpected, unplanned day. I loved that day; the best I’d had since I started the job.

I went to a local coffee shop and ordered coffee and a pastry. As I had my bag with me, with paper and pens, I sat doodling some of my thoughts about life. I felt inspired to write down some of the things I’d been thinking about. Never in that moment would I have assumed that I’d one day become a writer. But that’s where my journey began. It was the day I started writing.

That’s the magic of an unplanned day.

They don’t always turn into a career change or landing in a band, but they do offer us a thrill of following our instincts and pursuing what feels good in the moment rather than doing what we think we’re supposed to do.

They can feel like a breath of fresh air, a reminder that life is about more than ticking off boxes.

Striking a Balance

Of course, schedules have their place. They help us meet deadlines, fulfil commitments, and stay organized. But they don’t need to dictate every moment of our lives. 

It’s good to find a balance, for the sake of our health.

From my experience, here are a few ways to strike a balance:

• Leave blank spaces: Treat your calendar like a canvas and leave room for unplanned strokes of inspiration.
• Say yes to spontaneity: If a friend invites you for coffee out of the blue or a new opportunity arises, resist the urge to say, “I’m too busy.”
• Practice being present: Even during planned activities, focus on the experience rather than what’s next.

The Takeaway

Life is messy, unpredictable, and gloriously unscripted. While planning has its merits, some of the most beautiful moments are the ones we never saw coming. 

So, loosen your grip on the calendar. Embrace the unexpected. Let the day take you where it will. Because sometimes, the best plan is no plan at all.

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