Look, I’ve Been That Person
You know the type. The one with the color-coded spreadsheet, the 14-point daily itinerary, the committment to seeing every single attraction in a city. That was me. Until last Tuesday. At 11:30pm. In a hostel in Barcelona. I had a breakdown.
Not a dramatic, on-the-floor, wailing kind. More like a quiet, existential crisis over a lukewarm beer. I was exhausted. Not physicaly, but mentally. The pressure to see it all, do it all, Instagram it all—it was completley overwhelming.
Meet Marcus
Let’s call him Marcus. We met at the hostel, actually. He was lounging by the pool, guitar in hand, looking like he hadn’t a care in the world. I asked him how long he’d been traveling. “Oh, about three months,” he said, strumming a chord. “But who’s counting?”
Which… yeah. Fair enough. I told him about my breakdown. He laughed. “You’re doing it wrong,” he said. “Travel shouldn’t be a checklist. It’s an experience.”
And just like that, something clicked. I decided to ditch the plan. I mean, I didn’t burn the spreadsheet or anything—old habits die hard. But I stopped consulting it. I started saying yes to things I wouldn’t have normally considered. Like that time in Lisbon when I ended up at a fado club at 2am because a street performer invited me.
But Here’s the Thing
Spontaneous travel isn’t about being reckless. It’s about being open. It’s about saying “yes” to the unexpected. It’s about realizing that sometimes, the best experiences aren’t the ones you plan for.
Take, for example, my friend Sarah. She’s a colleague named Dave’s sister, actually. She told me about a time she was in Vermont and decided to check out a random event she saw posted on a community board. Turns out, it was a local harvest festival. She spent the day picking apples, drinking cider, and talking to farmers. “It was the most Vermont thing I’ve ever done,” she said. “And I never would’ve known about it if I hadn’t been open to it.”
So, if you’re planning a trip, here’s my advice: make a rough plan. Know your must-sees. But leave room for spontaneity. Check out Vermont events this weekend calendar for inspiration. Or just wander. Get lost. Say yes to the unexpected.
A Tangent: Food
Speaking of saying yes, let’s talk about food. I used to be that person who’d spend hours researching restaurants. Now? I ask locals. I point at menus and say “that one.” I’ve had some of the best meals of my life this way. And some of the worst. But that’s part of the adventure, right?
Last week, I was in Austin for a conference. Over coffee at the place on 5th, I asked the barista where to eat. She recommended a food truck. I went. It was $87 for two people, but honestly, it was some of the best BBQ I’ve ever had. Worth every penny.
But What About Safety?
Look, I’m not saying to throw caution to the wind. I’m just saying to be open. To experiences. To people. To the unexpected. Travel is about more than just seeing places. It’s about feeling them. Living them. And sometimes, that means letting go of the plan.
So, go ahead. Book that flight. Pack your bags. But leave room for spontaneity. Say yes to the unexpected. You won’t regret it.
About the Author: Hi, I’m Alex. I’m a travel writer who used to be a planner. Now, I’m a wanderer. I’ve been to 47 countries and counting. I believe in the power of spontaneity, the joy of getting lost, and the importance of trying that weird street food. Follow my adventures on Instagram @alex.theseriouswanderer.
