I don’t like surprises.

People are often surprised to hear this about me, because I’m a very spontaneous person. I don’t like when things are rigidly planned in advance. I like to take things as they come, keeping things flexible while there’s minimal downside to that, and only lock things in when necessary.

But I’ve realised that those two things—liking spontaneity and disliking surprises—are totally compatible, because there’s a subtle distinction.

With spontaneity: a plan doesn’t exist at all.

With a surprise: a plan exists, someone knows it, and I don’t. I’m missing out. There’s no opportunity for me to amend the plan if I don’t like it. I’m not in the dark because it’s night time… I’m in the dark because the sun is shining but someone’s put blinders on me. That feels unnecessarily limiting to me.